The School of Play Curriculum
Primary School Grade 3 & 4
Week Sixteen brings together a powerful blend of social interaction, empathy, reflection, and teamwork. Through games like Fingers in the Middle and Dice Bingo, students strengthen their communication skills, practise asking meaningful questions, and engage in friendly competition that keeps them active and connected. These fast-paced activities help students feel more comfortable sharing, listening, and building relationships with their peers. They also support the development of mental maths skills, physical engagement, and positive collaborative behaviours.
Alongside the social and physical components, students explore deeper emotional reflection through One Wish for the World and the Jenga Reflection Game. These thoughtful activities encourage students to identify their values, practise gratitude, and understand the impact small actions can have on themselves and others. By sharing reflections, listening empathetically, and considering their hopes for the world, students build emotional awareness and a stronger sense of community. The combination of movement, teamwork, and reflection ensures students finish the week feeling connected, empowered, and more aware of the positive contributions they can make in their everyday lives.
Weekly Lessons
Fingers in the Middle
Fingers in the Middle is a fun, fast and social connection starter that helps students learn more about each other through simple yes-or-no questions. Everyone begins with ten fingers raised and takes turns asking the group a question, such as “Do you have a pet?” or “Have you ever been camping?” Students drop a finger each time they answer “no,” encouraging honest self-reflection while helping peers discover shared experiences and interests. This creates an easy, low-pressure way for students to engage, communicate and practise turn-taking in a supportive environment.
As the game continues, players learn more about one another while participating in friendly competition. The last person with a finger still raised is the winner, but the real goal is connection, students begin to notice commonalities, listen actively, and celebrate the fun of getting to know their classmates. Fingers in the Middle builds confidence, belonging and social awareness, making it a perfect warm-up activity for classrooms, workshops, or team-building sessions.
Respectful Relationships
Communication and Empathy
Fingers in the Middle supports students to:
- Practise active listening by tuning in closely to each question asked and responding honestly, helping them stay focused and attentive.
- Express themselves respectfully by giving clear yes-or-no answers and asking questions that are kind, appropriate, and inclusive of all peers.
- Understand different viewpoints by discovering the diverse experiences, interests, and backgrounds of classmates, fostering empathy and connection.
Cooperation and Social Skills
Fingers in the Middle helps students to:
- Work as a team by taking turns, following the group rhythm, and celebrating one another’s answers throughout the game.
- Show fairness and kindness through positive encouragement, respecting all answers, and responding without judgment to similarities or differences.
- Show appreciation by acknowledging classmates’ honest contributions and expressing interest or excitement when learning something new about others.
Safety and Acceptance
Fingers in the Middle encourages students to:
- Ensure others feel safe by creating a friendly atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable answering questions honestly without embarrassment or pressure.
- Accept others as they are by recognising and valuing each person’s unique experiences, hobbies, and traits, even when they differ from their own.
- Promote equality as every student begins the game with the same opportunity, participates in the same way, and is valued equally throughout the activity.
One Wish for the World
One Wish for the World is a thoughtful and reflective activity that encourages students to think beyond themselves and consider the positive impact they can have on others and the world. Through writing and gentle discussion, students identify one meaningful wish they have for the world, something that reflects kindness, fairness, environmental care, equality, happiness, or hope. They explore why this wish matters to them personally, helping them connect their values to broader global ideas. The activity invites students to think deeply, act empathetically, and understand how individual hopes contribute to collective well-being.
Once students identify their wish, they reflect on small, realistic actions they can take to help make that wish come true. Whether it’s showing kindness, supporting others, caring for the environment, or spreading positivity, students learn that even small contributions can create meaningful ripple effects. By sharing their wishes with peers, they strengthen connection, empathy, and community spirit. This activity empowers students to feel hopeful, purposeful, and aware of their ability to make the world a better place, starting with simple actions they can take today.
Respectful Relationships
Communication and Empathy
One Wish for the World supports students to:
- Practise active listening when hearing classmates’ wishes and explanations, showing interest and curiosity through body language and thoughtful responses.
- Express themselves respectfully by clearly explaining their world wish, why it matters to them, and how they hope it will help others or the planet.
- Understand different viewpoints by recognising that others may wish for different things, each shaped by unique experiences, values, and perspectives, building empathy and compassion.
Cooperation and Social Skills
One Wish for the World helps students to:
- Work as a team when sharing wishes in pairs or groups, listening respectfully and offering encouragement as classmates talk about their ideas for a better world.
- Show fairness and kindness by valuing each person’s wish equally, acknowledging that everyone’s dream for the world is important.
- Show appreciation by celebrating the thoughtful ideas shared by others and acknowledging the positive actions classmates suggest to make change.
Safety and Acceptance
One Wish for the World encourages students to:
- Ensure others feel safe by creating a supportive environment where all wishes, big, small, personal, or global, are respected without judgment.
- Accept others as they are by recognising that everyone cares about different issues, valuing each person’s unique passions and hopes for the world.
- Promote equality as every student has the same opportunity to share their wish, express their voice, and be heard with respect and understanding.
Dice Bingo
Dice Bingo is a high-energy blend of mental math, fitness, and fun competition. Players roll two dice to create a two-digit number, complete the exercise or challenge that matches their roll, and then mark off that number on their bingo card. The game keeps everyone active as they work through their numbers, practising quick addition and staying mentally sharp while completing bodyweight tasks and movement challenges. Whether played individually or in teams, students stay engaged through the constant mix of rolling, calculating, exercising, and marking off squares.
The aim of the game is to be the first player or team to complete a full row on their bingo card, or the most squares within a set time. With options like time-based rounds, fitness-focused variations, and a final “Randomiser Round,” Dice Bingo can be adapted for all ages, group sizes, and fitness levels. It encourages teamwork, resilience, sportsmanship, and determination, all while promoting physical activity and improving mental math skills in a fun and fast-paced setting.
Download the Dice Bingo playing card HERE.
Respectful Relationships
Communication and Empathy
Dice Bingo supports students to:
- Practise active listening by following instructions, responding to teammates’ ideas, and listening carefully during group strategy discussions.
- Express themselves respectfully when sharing calculations, clarifying rules, or encouraging others during exercise challenges.
- Understand different viewpoints by recognising that teammates may use different mental-math strategies or exercise techniques, encouraging empathy and patience.
Cooperation and Social Skills
Dice Bingo helps students to:
- Work as a team by collaborating on shared bingo cards, completing exercises together, and supporting each other through the challenge.
- Show fairness and kindness during competitive moments, celebrating wins respectfully and acknowledging effort rather than just outcomes.
- Show appreciation by recognising and valuing teammates’ strengths in math, fitness, or encouragement during the game.
Safety and Acceptance
Dice Bingo encourages students to:
- Ensure others feel safe by creating a supportive, positive environment where peers feel comfortable calculating aloud, exercising, and participating at their own pace.
- Accept others as they are by recognising that everyone has different fitness levels and math abilities, celebrating effort, persistence, and growth.
- Promote equality as each player or team has equal opportunities to roll, calculate, perform exercises, and contribute to completing the bingo card.
Jenga Reflection Game
Jenga Reflection Game turns a classic block-stacking challenge into a meaningful moment of gratitude, kindness, and connection. As players remove blocks from the tower, each colour reveals a different reflection question, inviting them to pause, think, and share something positive from their lives. Whether it’s a proud moment, an act of kindness, someone they admire, or a simple joy, each turn becomes an opportunity to build self-awareness and celebrate the good around them. The combination of play and reflection creates a calm, supportive environment where students feel safe to share and learn more about themselves.
With every block pulled, the tower grows taller while the group grows closer. Players practise active listening, empathy, and encouragement as they respond to one another’s stories and experiences. The game balances light-hearted fun with meaningful conversation, helping participants build confidence, cultivate gratitude, and deepen their sense of belonging. Jenga Reflection Game is a simple yet powerful way to transform playtime into a positive, uplifting experience that strengthens connection and emotional well-being.
Respectful Relationships
Communication and Empathy
Jenga Reflection supports students to:
- Practise active listening by tuning in to each person’s gratitude reflection, showing understanding through eye contact, nodding, and thoughtful responses.
- Express themselves respectfully by sharing personal stories, emotions, and reflections in a calm, honest, and considerate way.
- Understand different viewpoints by hearing a variety of experiences from classmates and recognising that each person values different moments, memories, and acts of kindness.
Cooperation and Social Skills
Jenga Reflection helps students to:
- Work as a team by creating a positive, supportive group atmosphere, taking turns, and celebrating each player’s contribution.
- Show fairness and kindness through respectful turn-taking, encouraging peers, and responding warmly to the reflections shared by others.
- Show appreciation by acknowledging classmates’ achievements, acts of kindness, and thoughtful reflections, helping everyone feel valued.
Safety and Acceptance
Jenga Reflection encourages students to:
- Ensure others feel safe by creating a warm, calm, and supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing personal reflections without judgment.
- Accept others as they are by appreciating different experiences, perspectives, and communication styles, and celebrating the uniqueness of each participant.
- Promote equality as every student has equal opportunity to play, share, and contribute, with all reflections valued equally regardless of confidence level or experience.
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