Teamwork Isn't Easy So How Do We Help Our Students?

This is a great article to understand team work when we adults aren't very good at it ourselves.  Peter DeWitt describes typical roles that adults play when working on teams.  They aren't necessarily static, but people are different in the way they approach working together.
DeWitt names typical roles as the...

• Consensus builder
• Task master
• The Thinker
• Laidback
• Focused Participant

As adults we realize working in coherent teams is not easy and we need to let our students know there is strength in working with people who are different.  There is more of a chance to learn when students challenge one another, bringing the team up to a higher level.
Lots to think about as we encourage teamwork in our Title I classes.  How have you managed teamwork in the past?  What worked?  What didn't?  How might you change the process this year?

How to Get Kids to Work as a Team If the Adults Around Them Can't.  Peter DeWitt. 8.18.12, Education Week - Finding Common Ground
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2012/08/how_to_get_kids_to_work_as_a_team_if_the_adults_around_them_cant.html?cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS2