Embedded Files
You will need to choose the practices to include in your course or team experience based on how much time you have and how much you are able to dedicate to the curriculum. The information below will help you decide which practices to choose or prioritize in your curriculum. Remember to include time for the Team Science Benefits and Challenges and Community material, which provides the framing for all the following practices.
Individual practices form character, which then shapes participation in the community. Community practices are used together to help directly build thriving community.
We recommend including at least one foundational individual and community practice in your curriculum before engaging with the deepening exploration practices.
Practice Pairing Recommendations
It is helpful to think about pairing community practices with individual practices that support students' participation in the communal practice. Below are some recommended pairings. You can engage both practices at the same time or introduce the individual practice first and then the community practice.
Additional Discussion or Journaling Question: How did the practice of (insert individual practice) support your participation in (insert community practice)?
Both practices promote safety and inclusivity and increase team members (especially new team members) sense of belonging. The individual practice of silence helps students become more aware of when they are trying to be heard versus when they are really trying to understand what someone else is saying. Raising their awareness of how they listen to others and what motivates them in a conversation prepares them to receive different people and their ideas hospitably.
The communal practice of study (or learning together) is important for building community strength and resilience. A key element of these practices is recognizing what you do not know or what you may have misconceptions about and being willing to hear and learn from others. The practice of humility prepares students to recognize and admit what they do not understand and helps them establish a pattern of being willing to express some vulnerability in order to be able to learn from others.
The communal practice of stewardship is about making the best use a teams time, resources, and ideas in order to maximize productivity and learning for all. The individual practice of rest encourages students to assess their own rhythms and think about the ways that they are making sure that they bring their best self to their team. Rest is an important aspect of stewardship that enables us to be good stewards of our time and energy.
The communal practice of sharing life and the individual practice of self-reflection help continue to shift attention from self to team in small, intentional ways. Through self-reflection, students are encouraged to identify their blind spots and weaknesses, which allows them to choose and invest in appropriate practices to better foster participation in a team. The individual practice has the added benefit of increasing one's compassion towards others in their faults as well, making it easier to share life together.
The individual practice of gratitude is presented as a way to allow individuals to reflect well on the past and think about what is next in a helpful and hopeful way. Communal reflection provides opportunities for teams to thoughtfully consider both the history and trajectory of their community, to recognize the growth that has occurred and the goals that have been achieved and to think together about new objectives. Individuals who practice gratitude are better equipped to reflect on the strengths and growth within a team that has occurred over time.
Questions or ideas? If you find new or creative ways to use these materials, or if you want feedback on your ideas, please contribute to the discussion board below.
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