This activity was a turning point in our classroom! It was the moment I think they all got it, they felt safe, cared for, and most of all they ALL accomplished something together. It was the AHA...we are a community, a family, we are all in this together.
I pull "sticks" with the students numbers on them and form random groups and they resist...but it's effective. I gave them 6 red cups, 4 pieces of string, one rubber band and a task. They had to set up the cups then move them working as a group and moving them together at the same time. I told them no strategy or "trick".