The School of Play Curriculum
Primary School Foundation - Grade Two
Week Thirty Nine invites students to embrace the life skill of adaptability, staying positive, calm, and open when things change unexpectedly. Inspired by Pluto’s mysterious orbit and ever-shifting identity, this week helps children understand that change is natural and can even be exciting. Through games, art, movement, and reflection, students practise responding to surprises with curiosity rather than frustration. By exploring new ways of thinking, drawing, moving, and problem-solving, they learn that flexibility helps them grow stronger, braver, and more creative.
Across the week, students experience playful and meaningful opportunities to adjust to the unexpected. They laugh through shifting rules in Change It Up, stretch their imaginations with “New Way” Drawings, and navigate evolving challenges in Obstacle Switcheroo. In Adapt & Appreciate, they reflect on moments where surprises led to joy, growth, or discovery. Together, these activities nurture emotional regulation, creative risk-taking, and gratitude, reminding students that just like Pluto, they can shine brightly in unfamiliar moments and turn every change into a new adventure.
Weekly Lessons
Change It Up
Change It Up is a playful adaptability game that encourages students to embrace change with confidence and curiosity. By starting with a familiar activity like Simon Says and gradually introducing surprising twists, students learn to stay flexible, listen carefully, and adjust their behaviour when rules suddenly shift. This helps them practise emotional regulation, open-mindedness, and calmness when things don’t go as expected. Like Pluto, small, mysterious, and full of surprises, this game shows that change can be exciting rather than scary.
Through laughter, movement, and gentle challenges, students discover they can cope with uncertainty while still having fun. Each new rule invites them to think differently, try again, and enjoy a fresh way to play. There is no winning or losing, success is simply in staying adaptable and giving new ideas a go. Change It Up builds a growth mindset by helping students see that when the world shifts, they can shift with it, carrying confidence and positivity into every unexpected moment.
Respectful Relationships
Adaptability & Flexibility
This activity supports students to:
- Adjust their thinking when rules or expectations change.
- Understand that change is a normal part of games and life.
- Build flexibility by responding positively to new situations.
Emotional Regulation & Self-Control
Students are encouraged to:
- Notice feelings such as confusion, frustration, or surprise.
- Practise staying calm when things don’t go as expected.
- Regulate emotions while continuing to participate positively.
Growth Mindset & Openness to Learning
“Change It Up” helps students to:
- See mistakes as part of learning, not failure.
- Try new rules without giving up when it feels tricky.
- Develop curiosity and confidence when faced with the unfamiliar.
Listening & Following Instructions
Through fast-changing gameplay, students learn to:
- Listen carefully to new directions and cues.
- Focus attention even when instructions shift quickly.
- Respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
Resilience & Persistence
This activity promotes:
- Perseverance when rules change unexpectedly.
- Willingness to keep trying after getting something wrong.
- Confidence to bounce back and rejoin the game with a positive attitude.
Positive Attitudes to Change
Students are supported to:
- View change as playful rather than threatening.
- Develop comfort with uncertainty in a safe environment.
- Build optimism and humour when things feel unpredictable.
Social Awareness & Group Cooperation
As part of a shared game, students practise:
- Staying connected to the group despite changes.
- Moving together respectfully when rules shift.
- Supporting peers who may feel confused or unsure.
Safe & Supportive Classroom Culture
“Change It Up” helps create:
- A learning space where it’s okay to get things wrong.
- Reduced fear of mistakes or embarrassment.
- A shared understanding, inspired by Pluto, that change can be surprising, but it can also be fun, manageable, and full of possibility.
New Way Drawings
New Way Drawings invites students to stretch their imaginations by taking something familiar and transforming it into something wonderfully unexpected. Inspired by Pluto’s message that not everything needs to follow the usual rules, this activity encourages children to explore creativity, adapt their thinking, and enjoy the freedom of seeing the world differently. By drawing everyday objects in unusual colours, shapes, or styles, students learn that thinking “a new way” can be playful, expressive, and confidence-building.
Through imaginative drawing and optional sharing with the class, students practise adaptability while celebrating their unique ideas. The activity reinforces that creativity thrives when we step outside the ordinary and allow ourselves to explore possibilities. Just as Pluto stands proudly apart in the solar system, students learn that trying something different, even something a little strange, can lead to exciting discoveries and joyful self-expression.
Respectful Relationships
Adaptability & Flexible Thinking
This activity supports students to:
- See familiar objects and ideas from new perspectives.
- Adjust their thinking when things don’t follow the usual rules.
- Build flexibility by exploring multiple possibilities for the same idea.
Creativity & Imagination
Students are encouraged to:
- Use imagination to transform ordinary objects in unique ways.
- Experiment with colour, shape, and form without fear of being wrong.
- Enjoy creative freedom and playful exploration.
Growth Mindset & Openness to Change
“New Way” Drawings helps students to:
- Understand that trying something different is part of learning.
- Let go of perfection and embrace experimentation.
- Develop confidence in exploring unfamiliar ideas.
Positive Risk-Taking
This activity promotes:
- Willingness to try unusual or unexpected ideas.
- Courage to step outside what feels safe or familiar.
- Comfort with standing out and being different.
Self-Expression & Identity
Through creative drawing, students learn to:
- Express personal ideas and perspectives visually.
- Take pride in their unique way of thinking.
- Recognise that everyone’s ideas can be different and valuable.
Communication & Explanation of Thinking
Students are supported to:
- Explain why they made certain creative choices.
- Use language to describe their thinking and imagination.
- Listen respectfully to how others explain their ideas.
Respect for Differences
This activity encourages students to:
- Appreciate that others may see the same thing differently.
- Respond positively to ideas that are unfamiliar or surprising.
- Build acceptance and curiosity about diverse ways of thinking.
Confidence & Self-Belief
By sharing their artwork, students develop:
- Confidence in their creative voice.
- Trust in their own ideas and imagination.
- Pride in having a go, even when it feels different.
Safe Classroom Culture
“New Way” Drawings helps create:
- A learning environment where originality is celebrated.
- Reduced fear of being wrong or judged.
- A shared understanding, inspired by Pluto, that doing things differently is not only okay, but it’s also powerful, creative, and worth celebrating.
Obstacle Switcheroo
Obstacle Switcheroo is a playful and energetic activity that builds adaptability through movement. Students navigate a simple obstacle course, but with a twist, each time they complete it, Pluto “switches” part of the course, adding surprises like new actions, reversed directions, or unexpected challenges. As students move, crawl, jump, and balance through the changing course, they learn to stay calm, think flexibly, and adjust to whatever comes next. This helps strengthen both physical coordination and emotional resilience in a fun, pressure-free way.
With each round, students practise responding positively to change rather than feeling overwhelmed by it. They celebrate effort, curiosity, and problem-solving as they laugh, reset, and try again. The shifting course becomes a metaphor for real-life challenges, teaching students that when things don’t go as planned, they can adapt with confidence. Just like Pluto’s unpredictable orbit, the surprises in Obstacle Switcheroo remind young learners that change can be exciting, playful, and full of new possibilities.
Respectful Relationships
Adaptability & Flexible Thinking
This activity supports students to:
- Adjust their thinking when the obstacle course changes unexpectedly.
- Practise responding to new situations without giving up.
- Build confidence in handling change in a playful, low-risk way.
Resilience & Perseverance
Students are encouraged to:
- Keep going even when the task feels confusing or tricky.
- Try again after mistakes or interruptions in the course.
- Understand that setbacks are part of learning and play.
Emotional Regulation & Coping Skills
Through changing challenges, students learn to:
- Notice feelings like surprise, frustration, or excitement.
- Stay calm and focused when plans change.
- Use positive self-talk to reset and continue.
Growth Mindset & Learning Disposition
Obstacle Switcheroo helps students to:
- See challenges as opportunities to learn rather than problems.
- Accept that “not knowing yet” is part of the process.
- Develop a mindset that values effort and adaptability.
Positive Risk-Taking
This activity promotes:
- Willingness to attempt new movements or pathways.
- Courage to face uncertainty in a safe environment.
- Confidence to explore unfamiliar challenges without fear of failure.
Physical Confidence & Body Awareness
As students move through the course, they develop:
- Coordination and control through varied movement tasks.
- Trust in their body’s ability to adapt to new demands.
- A sense of achievement from completing physical challenges.
Peer Support & Encouragement
The shared experience helps students to:
- Cheer on classmates as they navigate changes.
- Show patience and understanding when others feel unsure.
- Build a supportive group atmosphere during challenges.
Respectful Responses to Change
This activity encourages students to:
- Respond positively when rules or expectations shift.
- Respect that everyone adapts at their own pace.
- Contribute to a classroom culture that values flexibility over perfection.
Safe Classroom Culture
“Obstacle Switcheroo” helps create:
- An environment where mistakes are expected and accepted.
- Reduced anxiety around change or unpredictability.
- A shared understanding, inspired by Pluto, that learning and life don’t always follow straight paths, and that adapting with curiosity and courage is a powerful skill.
Adapt & Appreciate
Adapt & Appreciate is a reflective and creative activity that helps students recognise the positive side of unexpected moments. By thinking about a recent surprise or change that turned out to be fun, interesting, or joyful, students learn that adaptability can lead to new and happy experiences. This gentle task encourages children to notice small moments of unexpected goodness in their day, strengthening their emotional awareness and flexible thinking.
Students draw a picture of their special moment and share why it made them feel happy or grateful. Through this process, they learn to express emotions, communicate their experiences, and appreciate how change can bring new opportunities. Just like Pluto, which follows its own unique path, this activity reminds children that surprises can be wonderful, and adapting with an open heart helps us discover joy in the unexpected.
Respectful Relationships
Adaptability & Flexible Thinking
This activity supports students to:
- Reflect on moments where plans or expectations changed.
- Recognise that change can lead to positive outcomes.
- Build comfort with flexibility in everyday experiences.
Gratitude & Appreciation
Students are encouraged to:
- Identify unexpected moments that brought joy or happiness.
- Practise noticing positives in unfamiliar or surprising situations.
- Develop a habit of appreciating small, meaningful experiences.
Emotional Awareness & Expression
Through reflection and sharing, students learn to:
- Recognise emotions connected to surprise or change.
- Express how their feelings shifted over time.
- Use language to describe both uncertainty and enjoyment.
Growth Mindset & Learning Disposition
“Adapt & Appreciate” helps students to:
- Understand that new experiences can lead to growth.
- View change as an opportunity rather than a problem.
- Build confidence in their ability to adjust and cope.
Positive Reflection & Meaning-Making
This activity promotes students’ ability to:
- Look back on experiences with curiosity and insight.
- Identify what they learned from adapting to change.
- Make meaning from everyday moments, not just big events.
Creativity & Self-Expression
Through drawing and storytelling, students develop:
- Creative ways to represent personal experiences.
- Confidence in sharing ideas through visual expression.
- Ownership of their thoughts and reflections.
Communication & Listening Skills
When sharing with others, students practise:
- Explaining their thinking clearly and thoughtfully.
- Listening respectfully to peers’ experiences.
- Valuing different perspectives and stories.
Positive Responses to Change
This activity supports students to:
- Build optimistic attitudes toward unexpected situations.
- Recognise that emotions can shift from unsure to joyful.
- Strengthen resilience by focusing on what went well.
Classroom Culture of Appreciation
“Adapt & Appreciate” helps create:
- A learning environment that values reflection and gratitude.
- Shared understanding that change is a normal part of life.
- A positive, respectful classroom culture inspired by Pluto’s unique path, where difference and discovery are celebrated.
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