Lesson Plan
Banding Together Lesson Plan
Students will develop communication, listening, and cooperation skills by engaging in collaborative musical warm-ups and composing a short ensemble piece, then reflecting on their teamwork.
Effective teamwork in music ensembles enhances student engagement, supports social-emotional learning, and builds skills for future group performances.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive warm-ups, group composition, and reflective discussion.
Materials
- Student Rhythm Sticks, - Whiteboard and Markers, - Collaborative Composition Template, - Teamwork Reflection Worksheet, - Timer or Stopwatch, and - Audio Playback Device
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of the Collaborative Composition Template for each group
- Print individual copies of the Teamwork Reflection Worksheet
- Gather student rhythm sticks and confirm functionality of the audio playback device
- Set up the whiteboard with key teamwork vocabulary (e.g., leadership, listening, cooperation)
- Review both generated materials to familiarize yourself with the activities
Step 1
Musical Communication Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Introduce call-and-response clapping patterns: model a rhythm on rhythm sticks and have students echo back
- Demonstrate using nonverbal cues (eye contact, hand signals) to start and stop together
- Pair students and have them create their own two-bar patterns to share with the class
- Highlight how listening carefully and clear signals support teamwork
Step 2
Collaborative Composition
15 minutes
- Divide students into small ensembles (3–4 per group)
- Distribute the Collaborative Composition Template and assign roles: melody, rhythm, harmony, conductor
- Set a 10-minute timer and have groups compose a four-bar piece, using instruments or body percussion
- Circulate to prompt discussion: How will you ensure everyone’s idea is heard? Who leads the tempo?
- After time is up, ask each group to finalize their notation or demonstration plan
Step 3
Performance and Reflection
10 minutes
- Have each group perform their composition for the class
- After each performance, peers give one positive teamwork example they observed and one suggestion for improvement
- Students complete the Teamwork Reflection Worksheet individually, focusing on their own group’s collaboration
- Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion: What strategies helped your team succeed? What will you do differently next time?
use Lenny to create lessons.
Slide Deck
Banding Together: Teamwork in Music
6th Grade Music | Tier 1 Supports | 30 Minutes
Welcome students to today’s music class on teamwork. Introduce yourself and briefly explain that we will explore how musicians work together in an ensemble. Point out the agenda and set expectations for participation.
Lesson Objectives
- Develop communication, listening, and cooperation skills through musical activities
- Collaboratively compose a four-bar ensemble piece
- Reflect on how teamwork contributes to musical success
Read through each objective aloud. Emphasize that clear communication and cooperation are just as important as musical skill. Encourage students to think about times they’ve worked with others before.
Musical Communication Warm-Up
- Demonstrate call-and-response using rhythm sticks
- Introduce nonverbal start/stop cues (eye contact, hand signals)
- Pair up: students create and share two-bar patterns
- Discuss how listening and clear cues build teamwork
Explain the call-and-response activity: demonstrate a short clapping pattern and have the class echo it. Introduce nonverbal cues (eye contact, hand signals). Pair students and let them create and share two-bar patterns. Highlight how effective listening and clear signals support the group.
Collaborative Composition
- Form groups of 3–4 students
- Use the Collaborative Composition Template
- Roles: melody, rhythm, harmony, conductor
- Compose a four-bar piece in 10 minutes
- Ensure everyone’s ideas are included
Divide the class into ensembles of 3–4. Assign and explain roles using the next slide. Distribute the Collaborative Composition Template. Set a 10-minute timer. Circulate to prompt discussion and ensure every voice is heard.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Melody: craft the main tune
- Rhythm: design and maintain the beat
- Harmony: add chordal or supporting layers
- Conductor: lead tempo, signal entries/exits
Review each role in detail. Clarify responsibilities and answer any questions. Remind students that the conductor keeps the tempo steady, melody creates the tune, rhythm provides the beat, and harmony supports.
Performance Showcase
- Each group performs their four-bar piece
- Peers share:
• One positive teamwork example observed
• One suggestion to strengthen collaboration
Invite each group to present their composition. After each performance, ask peers to give one positive teamwork example and one suggestion for improvement. Model feedback with a quick demonstration.
Reflecting on Teamwork
- Complete the Teamwork Reflection Worksheet
- Whole-class discussion prompts:
• Which strategies helped your team succeed?
• What will you do differently next time?
Distribute the Teamwork Reflection Worksheet. Ask students to complete it individually, reflecting on their own contributions and group process. Then facilitate a whole-class discussion using the prompts below.
Next Steps & Takeaways
- Apply listening and communication skills in all ensembles
- Practice leadership and supportive roles interchangeably
- Look forward to building on these skills in our next session
Summarize key takeaways: effective listening, clear signals, equitable idea-sharing. Encourage students to apply these teamwork skills in future rehearsals or group projects. Provide a quick preview of next class.
Worksheet
Teamwork Reflection Worksheet
Reflect on your experience during the Collaborative Composition activity. Answer the questions below thoughtfully. Use the spaces provided to write your responses.
1. What role did you have in your ensemble (melody, rhythm, harmony, conductor)?
Explain why you chose this role or how you fulfilled it.
2. Describe one specific example of when your team worked well together.
What happened, and why was this an effective teamwork moment?
3. Identify one challenge your group faced during composition.
How did your team address or overcome this challenge?
4. How did you ensure that every member’s idea was heard and considered?
Give at least one strategy you used.
5. Describe one technique your group used to stay on the same tempo or beat.
Why was this technique helpful?
6. Looking ahead, what is one thing you will do differently to improve teamwork next time?
Great work reflecting on your teamwork! Be prepared to share one insight from your responses during our whole-class discussion.
Worksheet
Collaborative Composition Template
Use this template to plan and record your ensemble’s four-bar composition. Work together to fill in each section before creating your final notation or demonstration.
Group Name: ____________________
Members & Roles:
- Melody: ___________________________
- Rhythm: ___________________________
- Harmony: __________________________
- Conductor: ________________________
Composition Plan
Bar 1
Melody Ideas:
Rhythm Pattern:
Harmony Support:
Bar 2
Melody Ideas:
Rhythm Pattern:
Harmony Support:
Bar 3
Melody Ideas:
Rhythm Pattern:
Harmony Support:
Bar 4
Melody Ideas:
Rhythm Pattern:
Harmony Support:
Final Notation or Demonstration Plan
Use the space below to draw your final notation (staff lines, rhythmic symbols, lyrics, etc.) or write out a step-by-step plan for performing your composition with instruments or body percussion.
Great work! Be ready to perform your four-bar piece and explain how your team collaborated to create it.