Teamwork and Decisions wellbeing lesson plan
A secondary wellbeing lesson for Years 7 to 9 that helps Australian teachers introduce teamwork and group decision making through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students explore how groups work together, communicate and reach decisions, and practise skills for contributing fairly and respectfully to shared tasks.
Goal Setting, Mindset & Self-Worth
Snapshot
Teamwork and Decisions
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce group teamwork and decision making processes using practical, age-appropriate discussion. Feedback: 4.8/5 from 17 teacher ratings
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Working together and making decisions in groups
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise the different roles people can take when working in a group
recognise how communication styles can affect group decisions
recognise when a group is stuck and needs a different approach
Understand
understand different ways groups can make decisions, such as reaching agreement or dividing tasks
understand how listening and clear communication support fair group outcomes
Practise
practise sharing ideas clearly in a group setting
practise using communication skills to work through disagreement
practise contributing to a group decision in a respectful way
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for secondary students in Years 7 to 9 who are building skills for working effectively with peers in group settings.
It is suitable for:
secondary wellbeing lessons
PDHPE teaching
pastoral care or advisory sessions
group project or classroom collaboration work
communication and interpersonal skills programmes
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing group work skills Use when students are about to start a group project or collaborative task and need shared language for working together.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing expectations around cooperation, fairness and respectful communication in group settings.
Practising communication skills Use when students need structured practice sharing ideas, listening and giving feedback in a group.
Supporting group decision making Use when students are learning how groups can reach decisions fairly, such as through discussion or agreement.
Preparing for transition Use when students are moving into new class groups, teams or project groups and need shared expectations for teamwork.
Creating a structured wellbeing discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher-led discussion about how to work well with others.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Students are regularly asked to work in groups, whether for class projects, planning tasks or shared activities, and this often relies on skills that are not always explicitly taught. Teamwork and Decisions gives students a chance to build practical language and processes for contributing to group tasks, listening to others and working through different points of view. This lesson supports a classroom culture where students can take part in group work with clearer communication and a better understanding of how groups reach decisions together.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Communication Students practise sharing ideas clearly and listening to different viewpoints.
Collaboration Students consider how to contribute fairly to a shared group task.
Self-awareness Students reflect on their own role and communication style within a group.
Problem solving Students explore different ways groups can work through disagreement or reach a decision.
Respect for others Students consider how to value different opinions during group discussion.
Confidence Students build familiarity with speaking up and contributing ideas in a group setting.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates or share stories about other people's groups
Frame discussion around general group scenarios rather than specific incidents in the class
Make clear that the focus is on building skills, not identifying who is 'good' or 'bad' at group work
Consider existing group dynamics in your class when planning discussion or activities
During delivery
Use general examples such as group projects, class tasks or planning an activity together
Give students time to practise communication phrases aloud or in pairs
Encourage a range of decision making approaches rather than presenting one 'right' way
Allow students to respond through discussion, written reflection or small group work depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Encourage respectful disagreement and remind students that different opinions are normal in group work
Reinforce that students can pass on questions they are not comfortable answering aloud
Keep the focus on skills and processes rather than personal criticism of peers
Adaptation options
Use small group discussion for confident classes and pair work for quieter groups
Spend more time on decision making processes if students are new to structured group work
Extend the discussion into a short group task if time allows
