A Collaboration Game for Musicians
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TEACHER MATERIALS
UNIT 1
The Players and the Band
Activity 3 - Collaboration
Introducing... (Your Band)
Decide on a band name by going on a scavenger hunt!

STUDENT/PLAYER GUIDE

Every band needs a name - so we're going to do a physical scavenger hunt to capture some ideas. Remember, band names can change (The Beatles started out as The Quarry Men), so think of this as your band name for now.

Step 1: Select one or two items from the following list:

  • Any toy from your personal collection
  • Any plastic object from your kitchen
  • Any paper novel or comic book
  • Any musical instrument
  • Any snack food, candy, or treat

Step 2: Share your stuff with your bandmates and explain why you choose each item. Distill each item you present to a single word. Be sure to share some KSHH feedback with others when it's their turn.

Step 3: Shuffle the words until the band agrees on a name.  As needed, add connector words like “the” or “and” etc. It's OK to simplify your band name down to a single word.

Step 4: Update your band's slides with your new band name! Add your KSHH feedback on the next slide. 

Bonus Step: Collaborate to create a logo.

TEACHER/PRODUCER GUIDE

  1. Introduce the activity and confirm all players understand the steps.
  2. Run step 1 within 5 minutes (set a timer).
  3. Nominate a player to share their items. Encourage them to describe their item(s) with a single word. Write down these keywords as the activity continues.
  4. Nominate the next person to share, and repeat until everyone has a turn.
  5. Repeat the words shared by each player in the sequence they were shared. Explain that we'll use these keywords to create the band name.
  6. Here’s the conversation that should be happening in this activity: 1) Students share and discuss keywords. 2) Students shuffle the keywords around into various combos and sequences, discuss results, and eventually agree on their favorite.
  7. A few ways you might do this: 1)Verbal - in full class group or band groups. 2)In the LMS or a Google doc for student texts. 3)Teacher captures words in full class session, and then students discuss in each band’s Soundtrap chat window
  8. Super important: this is how kids should feel: “Hey group, this is my inspiration--this is my plant named Charlie!”  What’s your keyword? “Hmm...Sprout!” ‘Sprout’ is now a contender for part/all of my band’s name.
  9. Showcase: Announce the name of the band! Other bands/students should have the opportunity to celebrate, enjoy, and give KSHH to these new bands!
  10. Ask students to think about aesthetic/style - what might be some of the style/characteristics, even backstory of this band with these players? Update the Google slides with the band name and any other details.
  11. Model KSHH feedback by sharing something kind, specific, honest, or helpful with players. Invite others to do the same with at least one other player.
  12. Invite each player to add their KSHH feedback to their band’s appropriate Google slide.
  13. Invite the band to create a band logo and add the logo to the Google slides. Logomakr.com is a great tool.
  14. Names aren’t precious and can change whenever the band wants!

RUBRIC

Exemplary (5)

  1. Finds at least one item from the list
  2. Shares item(s) and keywords with the band
  3. Participates in the process of creating a band name from the keywords presented
  4. Contributes to the process of creating a band logo
  5. Shares KSSH feedback with another student

Proficient (4): 4 of 5 complete

Progressing (3): 3 of 5 complete

Emerging (2): At least 1 complete

Beginning (1): 0 complete

TEACHER RESOURCES

  • Article: “50 Stories Behind Band Names”, by Emily Barker, NME, November 2014
  • Article: “How to Pick a Band Name,” by wikiHow, October 2019
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