Bead Battle: Rock, Paper, Scissors Staff Challenge
A low-prep way to add some energy to the school day.
Ongoing
Team Connection Poster Activity
A collaborative poster activity where grade-level teams or departments answer prompts.
Alissa Christensen
A collaborative poster activity where grade-level teams or departments answer prompts about their shared background, strengths, and goals, then present to the whole staff. Use it at the start of the year to help staff get to know the people they work alongside every day.
Why try it
This activity gives teams a low-pressure way to reflect on what they bring to the school and share it with the rest of the staff. The poster format makes the conversation visual and easy to reference, so the insights don't disappear after one meeting. Use it as an icebreaker at your first back to school staff gathering, and encourage teams to keep their posters up as a touchstone throughout the year.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Things you'll need
Large poster board (one per team)
Markers
Recording sheet (one per team)
Optional: stickers, tape, or other decorative supplies
Instructions
1
Set up the activity
Divide staff into their grade-level teams or departments. For larger teams, break into smaller groups of 4-6. Distribute poster paper, markers, and the included recording sheet to each group.
2
Introduce the prompts
Let staff know they'll be creating a team poster using three sections: Where We've Been, Who We Are, and Where We're Going. Walk through the recording sheet prompts so everyone understands what to cover, then give teams 15-20 minutes to work. Play music and check in with groups as they go.
3
Share with the full staff
Once posters are complete, invite each team to briefly present theirs to the whole group. Allow a minute or two for questions or comments from other teams after each share-out.
4
Display the posters
Encourage teams to hang their posters in their shared spaces or a common area. For an easy Back to School Night display, set them up in the lobby so families can see who makes up your school community.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
New staff integration
If you have several new staff members this year, pair each new hire with a returning team member before the activity. It gives new staff a built-in connection point as they work through the prompts.
Department spotlight
Instead of a one-time share-out, dedicate a few minutes at each staff meeting to spotlight one team's poster. It spreads the conversation across the first month rather than fitting it all into one session.
Include support staff
Invite paraprofessionals and support staff to create their own poster alongside grade-level teams. It's an easy way to make sure everyone in the building is represented in the share-out.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Encourage creativity
Let teams know there are no rules for how the poster looks. Colors, drawings, and personal touches make the posters more fun to present and more memorable to display.
Leader Tip #2
Give a heads-up on time
Let teams know when they have about 5 minutes left so they can wrap up and prepare to share. This keeps the activity moving without feeling rushed.
Built by Educators, for School Leaders
This resource was created in collaboration with passionate educators and school leaders who believe in the power of intentional connection.
Alissa Christensen
Head of Customer Success
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