The School of Play Curriculum
Primary School Foundation - Grade Two
Week Fifteen blends physical activity, emotional reflection, and social connection to create an engaging and supportive learning environment for students. The activities, Name Chase, The Things I Love, Table Top Tennis, and Empathy Role Play, promote teamwork, self-expression, quick thinking, and emotional awareness. Students stay active through games that build coordination and focus while also strengthening their relationships with peers. Each activity encourages students to connect with others, move their bodies, and express themselves in meaningful ways.
Alongside the physical elements, students also take part in reflective tasks that help build empathy, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of themselves and others. The Things I Love fosters personal reflection and positivity, while Empathy Role Play teaches students how to recognise and respond to emotions with kindness and support. Through this mix of movement, creativity, and emotional learning, Week Fifteen helps students develop stronger social bonds, improve their physical coordination, and practise the skills needed for emotional intelligence, all within a fun, active, and uplifting atmosphere.
Weekly Lessons
Name Chase
Name Chase is a fun, energetic twist on a classic circle game that helps students quickly learn and remember each other’s names. As the “it” player walks around the circle naming their classmates and choosing someone to chase them, students practise saying names out loud, recognising peers, and engaging socially in a playful, low-pressure way. The game builds confidence and connection, especially in new groups or at the start of the school year.
The chasing element adds excitement and movement, encouraging quick thinking, fairness, and teamwork as students take turns, follow the rules, and support one another. With lots of laughter and active participation, Name Chase creates a positive, inclusive atmosphere where students can bond, burn energy, and become more comfortable with their classmates, making it the perfect warm-up or community-building activity.
Respectful Relationships
Communication, Listening & Knowing Others
Name Chase helps students to:
- Learn and remember classmates’ names, strengthening familiarity and belonging within the group.
- Practise saying names clearly and confidently, building communication skills.
- Listen actively during the game, paying attention to who is tapped and when it’s their turn to move.
Cooperation, Teamwork & Positive Peer Interaction
This activity supports students to:
- Work respectfully with others as they take turns being “it,” being chased, and cheering classmates on.
- Enjoy friendly, low-stakes competition that strengthens group connection.
- Encourage each other during the game, helping build a positive and inclusive classroom environment.
Respect, Fair Play & Shared Rules
Through playing Name Chase, students learn to:
- Follow agreed rules, such as tapping gently, saying names correctly, and running safely.
- Practise fairness by accepting turn-taking, boundaries, and game outcomes respectfully.
- Show respect by using classmates’ names appropriately and kindly.
Self-Regulation, Confidence & Quick Decision-Making
Name Chase encourages students to:
- Manage excitement while listening for their name and responding calmly under pressure.
- Build confidence when being “it” and calling out names in front of the group.
- Think quickly and make fast decisions during the chase, practising coordination and emotional control.
Movement, Physical Well-Being & Active Engagement
This activity helps students to:
- Stay physically active through running, chasing, and quick direction changes.
- Improve reaction time, coordination, and spatial awareness in a playful environment.
- Experience joy through movement, setting an energetic and positive tone for the group.
The Things I Love
The Things I Love invites students to pause and reflect on the moments, people, and experiences that bring genuine joy into their lives. Through simple prompts, they choose three things that make them smile and express them through drawing or writing, creating a personal snapshot of happiness. This gentle activity encourages students to notice everyday positives, big or small, and strengthens their ability to recognise what lifts their mood and brightens their day.
As students share their creations with a partner or the class, the room fills with warm conversations and meaningful connections. The activity helps them articulate why these things matter, building emotional awareness and reinforcing the value of focusing on what feels good. The Things I Love becomes a simple but powerful tool for nurturing optimism, gratitude, and emotional well-being, making it a beautiful addition to any classroom routine.
Respectful Relationships
Communication, Self-Expression & Sharing Feelings
The Things I Love helps students to:
- Express what makes them happy through writing and drawing, building confidence in sharing their emotions.
- Communicate their personal joys with classmates in a safe, positive way.
- Practise explaining their feelings and why certain things bring them joy.
Emotional Awareness, Self-Reflection & Positive Identity
This activity supports students to:
- Identify the people, activities, and experiences that make them smile, strengthening self-awareness.
- Reflect on the emotional impact of these positive moments in their lives.
- Recognise how focusing on joyful experiences can improve mood and emotional well-being.
Respect, Empathy & Understanding Others
Through this activity, students learn to:
- Listen respectfully as peers share what makes them happy.
- Appreciate the things others love, noticing similarities and differences.
- Build empathy by understanding the experiences that bring joy to people around them.
Confidence, Self-Esteem & Positive Mindset
The Things I Love encourages students to:
- Build confidence through celebrating the positive parts of their lives.
- Strengthen self-esteem by acknowledging the things that bring happiness and belonging.
- Develop a positive mindset by regularly focusing on uplifting thoughts and memories.
Creativity, Engagement & Well-Being Through Expression
This activity helps students to:
- Engage in creative expression through drawing, colouring, and written reflection.
- Enjoy a calming, reflective task that promotes emotional regulation and mindfulness.
- Experience pride and joy in creating a visual reminder of the things that make them smile.
Table Top Tennis
Table Top Tennis turns an ordinary classroom desk into a mini sporting arena where students sharpen their coordination, teamwork, and focus, all through a fun, fast-paced bouncing game. Played in pairs, students take turns serving and returning a soft ball by bouncing it off the top of their desks, aiming to land it on their partner’s side. This playful setup encourages precision, timing, and quick reactions while keeping everyone active and engaged. Students learn to control the ball, anticipate movement, and maintain balance, all within a simple, easy-to-set-up activity.
Beyond the physical skill-building, Table Top Tennis promotes friendly competition and collaboration. Partners cheer each other on, practise respectful sportsmanship, and reflect on strategies to improve their rally. Whether used as a warm-up, energiser, or short movement break, the game offers a joyful way for students to practise coordination, connect with classmates, and enjoy a lively challenge together.
Respectful Relationships
Communication, Cooperation & Working Together
Table Top Tennis helps students to:
- Work respectfully with a partner, taking turns and encouraging one another throughout the game.
- Practise communication and collaboration in a fun, fast-paced activity.
- Engage in friendly competition while learning how to negotiate rules, share space, and play fairly.
Emotional Awareness, Self-Regulation & Managing Reactions
This activity supports students to:
- Manage their emotions during competitive play, including excitement, frustration, or disappointment.
- Practise staying calm and focused when a rally speeds up or when mistakes happen.
- Develop resilience when points are lost, modelling positive sporting behaviour.
Respect, Fair Play & Positive Interactions
Through the game, students learn to:
- Show respect for their partner by playing fairly, following the rules, and encouraging each other.
- Celebrate effort and good play from others, building a positive, inclusive atmosphere.
- Demonstrate sportsmanship, taking responsibility for mistakes and playing with integrity.
Confidence, Body Awareness & Personal Development
Table Top Tennis encourages students to:
- Strengthen their confidence in physical skills like hand-eye coordination, balance, and reaction time.
- Build body awareness by learning how to position themselves, control their posture, and adjust quickly.
- Experience success through practice, improving self-belief and motivation.
Engagement, Fun & Healthy Relationships Through Play
This activity helps students to:
- Build connections with peers through shared play, laughter, and teamwork.
- Enjoy a short, energising movement break that boosts engagement and positive classroom climate.
- Experience play as a tool for strengthening relationships and enhancing well-being.
Empathy Role Play
Empathy Role Play invites students to step into each other’s shoes and practise recognising emotions, offering support, and responding with genuine care. Through short, guided scenarios, students explore what it feels like to experience different emotions and learn how simple, thoughtful responses, like listening, acknowledging feelings, or offering help, can make a big difference to someone else’s day. Acting out these moments in pairs or small groups makes the learning feel real, helping students build emotional intelligence in a hands-on, memorable way.
As students swap roles and try new scenarios, they begin to understand the impact of their words and actions, reflecting on what empathy looks and feels like in everyday situations. The activity sparks meaningful conversations, deepens social awareness, and strengthens classroom community. Empathy Role Play becomes more than a game, it’s a safe space for practising kindness, emotional understanding, and supportive communication that students will carry with them long after the activity ends.
Respectful Relationships
Communication, Listening & Understanding Others
Empathy Role Play helps students to:
- Practise active listening by focusing on another person’s words, emotions, and body language.
- Communicate with care, using supportive phrases and calm tone to show understanding.
- Build confidence in expressing emotions and responding to others in thoughtful, respectful ways.
Empathy, Emotional Awareness & Perspective-Taking
This activity supports students to:
- Recognise a wide range of emotions, such as sadness, nervousness, frustration, or excitement, in realistic scenarios.
- Explore how different experiences might make someone feel, strengthening their ability to consider multiple perspectives.
- Respond with empathy and kindness, learning how small supportive actions can positively impact others.
Positive Relationships, Kindness & Social Support
Through this role play, students learn to:
- Offer comfort, encouragement, and understanding, strengthening positive social interactions.
- Practise relationship-building behaviours such as checking in, validating feelings, and offering help.
- Understand the importance of kindness, compassion, and emotional safety in friendships and group settings.
Self-Regulation, Confidence & Responding Calmly
Empathy Role Play encourages students to:
- Stay calm and composed while expressing feelings or supporting a peer in a scenario.
- Build confidence in handling social challenges, including when someone else is upset or struggling.
- Reflect on their own actions, understanding how their words and behaviour impact others.
Collaborative Learning, Respect & Classroom Community
This activity helps students to:
- Work cooperatively in pairs or small groups, taking turns, sharing roles, and respecting each other’s ideas.
- Engage in inclusive discussions that promote trust, belonging, and emotional safety.
- Strengthen the classroom community through shared practice of empathy, support, and connection.
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