Come Together: Learning About Teamwork with The Beatles
What can the Beatles teach us about the power of collaboration and shared creativity?
How to Use This Lesson
This is a Harmony Student Wellness lesson, a week-long, music-centered social-emotional learning lesson designed to be taught across multiple sessions, culminating in an arts-based project. This lesson can be taught in isolation or as part of the larger Harmony Student Wellness program. For more support on implementation, see the Implementation Guide on the program page.
Essential Question
What can the Beatles teach us about the power of collaboration and shared creativity?
Objectives
Mastery Objective
- Students will be able to apply teamwork skills, including communication, cooperation, respect for different opinions, and constructive conflict resolution, to work collaboratively toward a common goal.
Day 1 - Students will:
- Watch a clip from the documentary The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years
- Define teamwork, skills and habits for success
- Play a theater game called “Chaos”
Day 2 - Students will:
- Watch a clip from The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years.
- Recognize the role relationships have in teamwork
- Discuss how relationships in teamwork are reinforced
Day 3 - Students will:
- Watch clips from The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years
- Discover the role leadership and learning play in teamwork.
- Identify qualities of a good leader
Day 4 - Students will:
- Watch a clip from The Beatles: Eight Days a Week and listen to a recording of a disagreement among the Beatles
- Explore methods for group decision-making
- Discover strategies for navigating conflict within teams
- Play a theater game called “Hot Lava”
Arts-Based Activity - Students will:
- Apply their learning by creating a team name and poster for the class, practicing the communication and teamwork skills explored throughout the week
- Demonstrate ability to participate in group decision-making
Background
In this lesson, students will explore teamwork through the history and music of the Beatles. They will define teamwork, identify essential collaboration skills, and recognize components of strong team relationships including trust, respect, and cooperation. Through video clips and discussions, students will examine the role of leadership in a team and explore methods for group decision-making and conflict resolution. Students will participate in two theater games that require collaboration and problem-solving. Finally, students will create a team name and poster for the class, practicing the communication and teamwork skills explored throughout the week.
Materials
Required for all lessons:
- Student Journals
- Art Supplies
Day 1:
- Small ball or stuffed animal for the “Chaos” game
Day 3:
- Paper for the “Hot Lava” game
Arts-Based Activity:
- Paper for the team name poster