Teamwork — Class 5 English (CBSE)
From the current Class 5 English Marigold textbook. Read the poem to understand the power of working together, then attempt the practice questions.
1. About the poem
'Teamwork' is a poem by Jan Nigro. It celebrates the value of working together. The famous line 'it's teamwork that makes the dream work' captures the central message: individual courage and skill are important, but true success comes from collaboration. The poem uses the example of a sports team to show how people achieve more when they cooperate, support each other, and share a common goal.
2. The poem (summary)
The poem talks about how different people bring different strengths to a team. One person may have courage, another may have skill, and another may have patience. When these individual qualities are combined through teamwork, great things happen. The poem encourages students to work together, help each other, and understand that everyone has a role to play.
The central message is that teamwork makes difficult tasks possible. No matter how talented an individual is, working with others leads to better results.
3. Theme and values
| Theme | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Cooperation | Working together towards a common goal. |
| Mutual support | Helping each other to succeed. |
| Shared success | Celebrating achievements together. |
| Individual contribution | Each person brings something valuable. |
| Unity | Together we are stronger than alone. |
Values to learn
- Be willing to help others in your team.
- Appreciate the different strengths people bring.
- Share credit when the team succeeds.
- Communicate clearly with your teammates.
- Do your part — every role matters.
4. Poetic devices
Rhyme scheme
The poem uses a consistent rhyme scheme to create a rhythmic, encouraging tone. Reading it aloud helps feel the rhythm of teamwork and coordination.
Repetition
The word 'teamwork' is repeated throughout the poem. This emphasises the central message and helps it stick in the reader's mind.
Metaphor
The poem may compare teamwork to a machine or engine where each part is needed. This helps readers visualise how individual efforts combine to create a powerful result.
Rhythm
The poem has a regular, bouncy rhythm that makes it easy to read aloud as a group — which itself is an act of teamwork.
5. Key vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Teamwork | Working together as a group |
| Courage | The ability to do something difficult without giving up |
| Skill | The ability to do something well |
| Collaborate | To work jointly with others |
| Contribution | Something you give or add to a group effort |
| Support | To help someone else succeed |
| Goal | Something you are trying to achieve |
| Dream | A wish or ambition for the future |
| Achieve | To successfully reach a goal |
| Share | To divide or give a portion to others |
6. Reading comprehension
Questions to think about while reading
- What is the main message of the poem?
- Why is individual courage not enough?
- What happens when people work together?
- How does the poet describe the relationship between individual skill and teamwork?
- Can you think of an example of good teamwork from your own life?
Understanding the message
The poet does not say individual qualities are unimportant. Instead, the poem says that individual qualities become truly powerful when combined through teamwork. A team with diverse strengths can solve problems that no single person could solve alone.
7. Writing practice
Prompt 1: Describe a time when you worked as part of a team. What was the task? What role did you play? How did the team succeed?
Prompt 2: Write a short paragraph explaining why teamwork is important in sports, school projects, or family chores.
Prompt 3: Imagine you are the captain of a school team. Write a speech to motivate your teammates before a big match.
8. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking teamwork means everyone does the same thing Fix: Everyone has a different role. Good teamwork means each person does their part well.
- Mistake: Believing individual effort does not matter in a team Fix: Individual effort is very important. Teamwork combines individual efforts for a greater result.
- Mistake: Writing about teamwork without giving a specific example Fix: Always support your answer with a real example — from a game, a project, or a family activity.
9. Self-test
- Who wrote the poem 'Teamwork'?
- What does the phrase 'teamwork makes the dream work' mean?
- Name two qualities that individuals bring to a team.
- Give one example of teamwork from your school life.
- Why is it important to appreciate other people's strengths in a team?
10. Answer key
-
Who wrote the poem 'Teamwork'? Answer: The poet is Jan Nigro.
-
What does the phrase 'teamwork makes the dream work' mean? Answer: It means that working together as a team helps us achieve our goals and dreams more effectively than working alone.
-
Name two qualities that individuals bring to a team. Answer: Courage and skill (also patience, creativity, strength, knowledge — any two).
-
Give one example of teamwork from your school life. Answer: (Any relevant example) During a school sports day relay race, each runner did their best, and we won because we passed the baton smoothly and cheered each other on.
-
Why is it important to appreciate other people's strengths in a team? Answer: Appreciating others helps the team work better together. It makes everyone feel valued, encourages cooperation, and allows the team to use everyone's abilities effectively.
11. Quick revision
- Poet: Jan Nigro.
- Central message: Individual qualities are good, but teamwork makes them great.
- Key line: 'It's teamwork that makes the dream work.'
- Theme: Cooperation, mutual support, shared success.
- Rhyme scheme: Regular and rhythmic.
- Every team member has a valuable role.
- Practise teamwork in class projects, sports, and daily chores.
