Bridge-Building League

BRIDGE-BUILDING
LEAGUE

What is a Bridge-Building League?

A Bridge-Building League is a series of contests in which players from different classrooms, schools, organizations, or agencies, play EnTeam Games – games that keep score of improvements in cooperation.

The purpose of an EnTeam League is to strengthen players’ ability to achieve goals collaboratively with people from different backgrounds. By doing so, youth build relationships with diverse groups and ultimately build more productive and respectful communities. Providing young people with opportunities to problem solve with peers from varying racial, socio-economic, and religious communities empowers them to be more cooperative, respectful, and inclusive.

Benefits of a Bridge-Building League: 

  • Youth learn to collaborate with those outside of their community.
  • Youth build relationships with diverse groups and bridge communities together.
  • Youth develop a win-win mentality in everyday life, making them productive and respectful members of society.
  • Youth value the importance of cooperation for the future of our society.
  • Enhance positive engagement and social development in students.  

How do I form an EnTeam League? 

You can either join with an educator that you would like to partner with, or we can support you in finding one! When at least two classrooms or sites have been partnered, EnTeam staff members can work with you in preparing to play and score EnTeam Games and in organizing a calendar of events.

Example of a Bridge-Building League: Operation Cooperation 

(see PBS news broadcast of Operation Cooperation here) 

Operation Cooperation is EnTeam’s longest running program. Since 2001, Operation Cooperation has served different faith-based schools (Muslim, Jewish, and Christian) in St. Louis in playing cooperative games together. As society becomes more diverse and the world more interdependent, learning to work together and to win together regardless of our differences is essential. 

Timeline 

While each program is scheduled with a timeline that works best for the partnering schools, below is a general timeline of events from events when students could meet in person. During the pandemic, all activities took place online. Teams are structured so students from each school are teammates with students from other schools.

1st Event

-Icebreaker to learn names and practice sharing information.

-Play Win-Win EnTeam game (60-90 min)

-Reflect and debrief

-Enjoy a snack and more “get to know you” time

2nd Event

– Icebreaker
– Teams stay together for each event so they strengthen their ability to work together.
– Play Win-Win EnTeam game (60-90 min)
– Reflect and debrief the game together
– Enjoy a snack and more “get to know you” time (30 min)

3rd Event

– Icebreaker
– Play Win-Win EnTeam game (60-90)
– Reflect and debrief the game together
– Link Win-Win game to future service learning project
– Enjoy a snack and more “get to know you” time (30 min)

4th Event

– Icebreaker
– Play the games from the first event so students can compare scores and see their progress as cooperators
– Reflect and debrief the activity together
– Extended bonding time

Key Takeaways from Operation Cooperation in St. Louis

Click here for a detailed study of the impact of Operation Cooperation. 

Educators from four faith schools participated in an EnTeam Bridge-Building League are willing to share their experience with Operation Cooperation.  The four schools are: Al Salam Day Schoo(Muslim), St. Monica Catholic School (Catholic Christian), Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School (Jewish), Kirk Day School (Protestant Christian).

The basic elements of Operation cooperation are:

  • Each school takes a turn hosting other schools for each event
  • Win-Win EnTeam Games encourage collaborative problem-solving skills
  • Icebreakers are used for students to get acquainted and prepare to work together
  • Students are organized in teams that include representatives of each school
  • Debriefs and reflection give space for students to communicate and apply the skills learned to everyday life
  • Breaks for snacks or water allow time for casual social engagement
  • Parents drive students from their school to the host school and help facilitate.
  • Parents do not solve the challenges for the students. Parents and teachers let students discover solutions.