The School of Play Curriculum
Primary School Grade 3 & 4
This week blends movement, mindfulness, creativity, teamwork, and gratitude to create a powerful and balanced learning experience for students. Through playful, high-energy activities and reflective exercises, students explore new ways to communicate and collaborate, and express themselves. From the laughter of animal-themed movement games to the challenge of a music-driven fitness workout, each activity encourages students to strengthen their bodies while also enhancing focus, coordination, and resilience. These experiences help students build confidence in their physical abilities, deepen sensory awareness, and engage joyfully with their peers.
At the same time, students are supported in developing emotional awareness, gratitude, and empathy through reflection and teamwork. The "5 Senses of Gratitude" activity helps them connect personal appreciation to the world around th. At the same time, the escape-room challenge encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and compassion as they work together to overcome shared tasks. By weaving together physical fitness, creative thinking, non-verbal communication, and group reflection, this week nurtures both individual growth and a strong sense of community. Students finish the week feeling connected, energised, and more aware of their strengths, both within themselves and within their team.
Weekly Lessons
Animal Pairing
Animal Pairing is a lively, laughter-filled activity designed to help students connect, collaborate, and communicate, all without speaking a single word. By using only animal sounds or actions, students learn to express themselves creatively while relying on body language, listening skills, and playful energy to find their matching partner. This non-verbal approach encourages students to step outside their comfort zones, break down social barriers, and interact in a light-hearted, inclusive way. As they wander the room roaring, hopping, clucking, or waddling, students naturally build confidence in expressing themselves and working alongside their peers.
The activity also strengthens teamwork and social awareness as students tune into their environment, observe others, and support one another through positive, respectful engagement. Whether played as a simple pairing exercise or expanded into team-building challenges, Animal Pairing transforms the classroom into a joyful, expressive space where creativity leads the way. Students finish the game feeling more connected, energised, and ready to collaborate, making it the perfect warm-up, icebreaker, or community-building experience for groups of any size.
Download full game and animal pairing cards HERE.
Respectful Relationships
Communication and Empathy
Animal Pairing supports students to:
- Practise active listening through observing body language, movements and sound cues, helping them understand others without verbal communication.
- Express themselves respectfully through creative non-verbal communication in a fun way, while still respecting personal space and others’ comfort levels.
- Understand different viewpoints as they recognise how classmates communicate differently, respond to cues uniquely, and interpret sound/movement variations.
Cooperation and Social Skills
Animal Pairing helps students to:
- Work as a team by collaborating with partners or groups to identify matching animals successfully without using speech.
- Show fairness and kindness by encouraging peers, waiting patiently, and helping others interpret actions or sounds in a positive way.
- Show appreciation by celebrating when matches are found, acknowledging creative efforts, and valuing everyone’s participation.
Safety and Acceptance
Animal Pairing encourages students to:
- Help others feel safe through gentle, respectful movement in a shared space and positive interactions during a high-energy activity.
- Accept others by recognising and appreciating the different ways classmates express creativity, act out animals, or communicate non-verbally.
- Promote equality as every student participates with an equal role, no ability level, physical skill, or language ability gives an advantage.
5 Senses of Gratitude
The 5 Senses of Gratitude activity invites students to pause, notice, and appreciate the small but meaningful things that bring joy into their lives. By exploring gratitude through sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste, students begin to recognise how their senses help them connect with the world in positive ways. Tracing their handprint becomes a creative canvas for reflection, allowing them to identify and celebrate the sensory experiences they love, from favourite sounds and comforting textures to special tastes and beautiful sights. This simple process supports emotional awareness, mindfulness, and a deeper appreciation for everyday moments.
The activity also strengthens social connections by encouraging students to think about who they share these experiences with, friends, family, or pets, and to express gratitude through drawing, writing, and conversation. By personalising their handprint and sharing their reflections with others, students practise communicating their feelings and recognising the people who help make their sensory world meaningful. 5 Senses of Gratitude becomes more than an art task; it becomes a gentle reflection on joy, belonging, and the power of appreciating the small things we often overlook.
Respectful Relationships
Communication and Empathy
5 Senses of Gratitude supports students to:
- Practise active listening when sharing their sensory reflections and when hearing what classmates love to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste.
- Express themselves respectfully by communicating gratitude through drawings, words, and conversations in a calm and thoughtful way.
- Understand different viewpoints as they learn about classmates’ favourite sensory experiences, helping them recognise and appreciate diverse perspectives and feelings.
Cooperation and Social Skills
5 Senses of Gratitude helps students to:
- Work collaboratively when sharing their handprints, discussing their choices, or participating in a class gratitude wall or display.
- Show kindness and fairness by responding positively and respectfully to peers’ creations and reflections.
- Show appreciation by acknowledging classmates’ meaningful sensory experiences and recognising the people who make those moments special.
Safety and Acceptance
5 Senses of Gratitude encourages students to:
- Help others feel safe by creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment where students can share personal experiences openly.
- Accept others by understanding that what brings joy through the senses varies from person to person, and all responses are equally valued.
- Promote equality as every student contributes a handprint and has an equal opportunity to share and reflect, regardless of artistic ability or communication style.
AC/DC - TNT
AC/DC – TNT Workout brings together music, movement, and full-body fitness in one high-energy experience. Students follow the rhythm of the iconic rock song, matching their movements to the track’s cues with squats on every “oi,” strong plank holds between verses, and explosive burpees or squat thrusters every time they hear “TNT.” This fast-paced, music-driven format makes exercise exciting and encourages students to stay focused, engaged, and in sync. The workout helps build strength, endurance, and coordination while keeping students smiling and moving with purpose.
The session also reinforces body awareness, timing, and commitment, helping students practice proper exercise form while challenging themselves physically. Working out to a familiar and upbeat song inspires students to give their best effort, push through the tough moments, and celebrate the power of movement. By the time the song ends, students feel energised, connected, and proud of completing a fun fitness challenge together, proving that exercise can be both effective and seriously enjoyable.
Respectful Relationships
Communication and Empathy
The AC/DC – TNT workout supports students to:
- Practise active listening by tuning into the song cues (“oi” and “TNT”) and paying close attention to the teacher's or peers' instructions.
- Express themselves respectfully by giving encouragement, motivating peers, and communicating when they need help or a modified exercise.
- Understand different viewpoints by recognising that peers may have varying fitness levels and comfort with movement, helping them develop empathy for others’ physical abilities.
Cooperation and Social Skills
The workout helps students to:
- Work as a team by exercising together in rhythm, staying coordinated with the group, and supporting partners during team variations.
- Show fairness and kindness by respecting others’ pace, cheering classmates on, and celebrating everyone’s effort rather than focusing on comparison.
- Show appreciation by acknowledging classmates who push themselves, maintain form, or stay motivated throughout the high-energy workout.
Safety and Acceptance
The workout encourages students to:
- Help others feel safe by maintaining personal space, using correct exercise form, and following safety instructions to avoid injury.
- Accept others by understanding that everyone has different fitness levels and that modified exercises are equally valued.
- Promote equality as all students participate in the same workout, with optional modifications ensuring every student can join in confidently and successfully.
Escape Room - The Laboratory
Escape Room – The Laboratory transforms the classroom into a high-energy, adventure-filled mission where teamwork, empathy, and well-being take centre stage. Students move through five interactive stations, each designed to strengthen an essential life skill such as mindfulness, gratitude, physical fitness, teamwork, and kindness. As they balance, breathe, solve puzzles, exercise, and encourage one another, students practise staying calm under pressure, collaborating with purpose, and contributing to a shared goal. At every station, they unlock a clue, building anticipation and excitement as they work toward escaping the laboratory.
This immersive challenge allows every student to shine through their strengths, whether it’s problem-solving, kindness, leadership, or perseverance. The final riddle brings all teams together in a moment of collective curiosity and achievement, reinforcing that success is built through connection, communication, and care. By the end of the mission, students walk away energised, proud, and deeply connected, having strengthened their social, emotional, and physical well-being in a playful, memorable way.
Download the full resource HERE.
Download the final puzzle HERE.
Respectful Relationships
Communication and Empathy
Escape Room – The Laboratory supports students to:
- Practise active listening as they follow station instructions, listen to teammates’ ideas, and tune in to the teacher's clues.
- Express themselves respectfully during team reflections, gratitude sharing, breathing exercises, and kindness activities, using calm and encouraging language.
- Understand different viewpoints by recognising teammates’ strengths, strategies, and emotional responses during mindfulness, puzzles, and group challenges.
Cooperation and Social Skills
The activity helps students to:
- Work as a team by completing each station collaboratively, solving puzzles together, sharing roles, and contributing to the group’s progress.
- Show fairness and kindness by cheering each other on during physical challenges, respecting silent communication rules, and supporting teammates who find tasks difficult.
- Show appreciation through the gratitude circle, verbal compliments, kindness notes, and shared celebrations after each challenge.
Safety and Acceptance
Escape Room – The Laboratory encourages students to:
- Help others feel safe by creating a supportive environment during mindfulness tasks, emotional reflections, and physical activities, ensuring all students feel included.
- Accept others by recognising that teammates have different abilities, some excel at puzzles, others at fitness, others at reflection, and all contributions matter.
- Promote equality as every team member participates equally in each station, with tasks designed to ensure all students can contribute successfully regardless of skill or confidence.
.avif)
