Teamwork Matters

Flying in a V formation

by Helen Bryant (revised, originally published in 2009)

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To consider the importance of working together.

Preparation and materials

• You will need five readers, who will need time to rehearse prior to the assembly. They will also need to be positioned at the front of the assembly.
• Have available an image of geese flying in a V formation and the means to display it during the assembly. Examples are available at: https://tinyurl.com/y9etgxdm and https://tinyurl.com/jz95mtl

Assembly

Show the image of geese flying in a V formation.

Ask the children, ‘How many times have you seen a large number of geese flying across the sky?’

Listen to a range of responses.

Explain that it is a beautiful sight, and that we can learn a lot from geese. Even though they can’t talk, they can tell us several things that can help us in our everyday lives.

Let’s go through these facts one by one.

Reader 1: Fact: as each goose flaps its wings, it creates lift for the birds that follow, which makes it easier for the flock to fly. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock has much greater flying range than if each bird flew alone. This means that they can get much further together than apart.

Ask the children what they understand by this fact.

Listen to a range of responses.

When the children have understood the principle, explain that as humans, if we share a sense of community and have a sense of belonging, we can get to where we want to go more quickly and easily because we are all working for the same goal.

In school, if all of us are committed to helping each other and creating a supportive environment for everyone, the school runs much more smoothly, and everyone is much happier.

Now let’s listen to the next fact about geese.

Reader 2: Fact: when a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It realizes that it needs the group to help it on its way. The goose will quickly move back into the pattern to take the benefit of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.

Ask the children what we can learn from this fact about geese.

Listen to a range of responses.

Explain that it teaches us that, as we move through life, we must be willing to accept help and, in turn, give our help to others.

Here’s our third fact about geese.

Reader 3: Fact: when the lead goose tires, it moves down the formation and another goose flies to the front to take its place.

Explain that the geese understand that they all have a responsibility to take their turn in the hardest role at the front. The geese show us that it pays to play our part in doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership, even though that may be difficult at times. Like geese, we depend on each other’s skills, capabilities, gifts, talents and resources.

Now let’s listen to another fact about geese.

Reader 4: Fact: the geese flying in formation honk to encourage those at the front to keep up their speed.

Ask the children, ‘How many times have we heard the noise that geese make and wondered why they did it?’

Explain that they don’t do it just to be loud, they make the noise to encourage one another. We need to make sure that what we say is encouraging. We know that when we are praised or encouraged, we feel that we will do better. We must encourage each other and be kind to each other at all times, but especially when things become difficult or the pressure is on.

Here’s our final fact about geese.

Reader 5: Fact: when a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese will drop out of the formation and follow it down to protect it. They will stay with it until it dies or can fly again. Then, they will start out with another formation or catch up with the flock.

Remind the children that it is important to stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong. The geese know instinctively that they need to help one another, which shows a deep understanding that care of the flock is important. We should care for and look after one another too.

Time for reflection

Isn’t it interesting that a flock of geese can reflect so much about what it is like to be human? Our behaviour really doesn’t differ much from that of geese - except, of course, that we can’t fly!

At times, we all feel lonely or have problems, and we need others around to help and encourage us. We also need to look out for other people who are having difficulties, and seek to help them.

So, next time we see geese flying in the sky, or we hear them honking, let’s think of all the lessons that the humble goose has taught us today, and take the facts and reflections into our life today and every day.

Perhaps today, some of us are feeling like we don’t have anyone to walk with and work alongside. We might feel alone and lonely. If we feel like that, it’s really important to talk to someone.

Make the children aware of people who they can speak to in school.

Prayer
Dear God,
Help us to realize that working together is better than working alone,
And that encouragement is often all that is needed to help people on their way.
Allow us to understand that others need us as much as we need them.
Remind us of our ability not only to take, but also to give.
Allow us to marvel at the similarities in all your creatures.
Amen.

Song/music

‘You’ve got a friend in me’ from the film Toy Story, available at: https://youtu.be/DNZUKm0ApEM (2.08 minutes long)