The School of Play Curriculum
Primary School Grade 5 & 6
Week Eleven blends physical movement, mental agility, and life-skills reflection to create a powerful, well-rounded learning experience. Through high-energy games like Jump Spin Shot and Ten of a Kind, students strengthen coordination, quick decision-making, and teamwork while also practising rapid mental maths under pressure. The physical elements keep the session lively and engaging, helping students build stamina, focus, and confidence as they interact with partners and groups. These games also promote healthy competition and sportsmanship, encouraging students to communicate clearly, solve problems together, and support one another.
The week also places strong emphasis on empathy, kindness, and the impact of our words and actions. Activities such as The Ultimate Life Skills Game and The Toothpaste or Paper Scrunch Challenge guide students to reflect deeply on real-life scenarios, encouraging them to practise critical life skills such as gratitude, confidence, conflict resolution, and compassion. By discussing thoughtful responses, sharing personal experiences, and recognising the emotional impact of behaviour, students develop stronger self-awareness and social understanding. Together, these activities help students build resilience, strengthen relationships, and grow into more mindful and empathetic young people, equipping them with skills they will carry well beyond the classroom.
Courses
Jump Spin Shot
Jump Spin Shot is an energetic, fast-paced warm-up game that fuses physical movement with quick mental maths, making it perfect for activating both body and mind. Partners start back-to-back, then jump, spin, and reveal a number of fingers, all within a split second, before racing to calculate the product of the two numbers. The blend of jumping, spinning, quick reactions, and mental agility creates an exciting challenge that sharpens focus, builds coordination, and gets participants laughing and moving right from the start.
The competitive yet friendly nature of the game encourages teamwork, communication, and positive social interaction, whether students are earning points, completing fitness challenges, or simply enjoying the thrill of rapid-fire rounds. Jump Spin Shot is highly versatile and can be adapted for children, fitness groups, or team-building sessions, making it a powerful tool for energising a session, boosting mental sharpness, and fostering a fun, lively atmosphere.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to recognise and manage emotions such as excitement, competitiveness, and joy during fast-paced gameplay.
- Builds empathy and connection through shared laughter and encouragement between partners.
- Promotes emotional regulation by teaching students to stay calm and focused under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude.
2. Personal Strengths
- Highlights strengths such as quick thinking, focus, and coordination in both mental and physical challenges.
- Encourages students to recognise persistence, accuracy, and teamwork as valuable skills.
- Builds self-confidence as students experience success through active participation and problem-solving.
3. Positive Coping
- Reinforces staying positive and light-hearted in competitive situations, even when losing rounds.
- Promotes humour, laughter, and encouragement as healthy ways to handle challenges.
- Encourages resilience and persistence through repeated play and improvement over time.
4. Problem Solving
- Strengthens mental agility through rapid calculation and real-time decision-making.
- Encourages cognitive flexibility and adaptability as students quickly assess and respond to changing scenarios.
- Develops strategic thinking when deciding how to combine speed, accuracy, and teamwork for success.
5. Stress Management
- Provides an energetic, movement-based outlet to reduce tension and improve focus.
- Reinforces staying composed and clear-minded during fast-paced competition.
- Promotes mindfulness through the integration of physical activity, rhythm, and quick thinking.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises collaborative learning and supportive feedback between partners.
- Encourages students to assist peers in understanding rules, strategies, or calculations.
- Reinforces that communication, patience, and cooperation are key to success and enjoyment.
7. Gender and Identity
- Fosters inclusivity and equality by ensuring all students can participate equally regardless of skill or background.
- Challenges stereotypes by blending mathematical reasoning with physical play, showing that all abilities are valuable.
- Promotes self-expression and confidence in a safe, non-judgmental environment where fun is prioritised over competition.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Builds respect and fairness through turn-taking, encouragement, and mutual support.
- Reinforces kindness, teamwork, and shared enjoyment as foundations for positive peer relationships.
- Strengthens class and group cohesion through playful, respectful interaction and collective energy.
The Ultimate Life Skills Game
The Ultimate Life Skills Game is a powerful blend of fun, reflection, and personal growth, designed to help students recognise, practise, and strengthen the core life skills they need both inside and outside the classroom. Through a creative mix of cards, dice, and scenario-based challenges, students explore important qualities such as confidence, vulnerability, empathy, resilience, adaptability, kindness, gratitude, and conflict resolution. Each turn invites players to step into real-life moments, respond thoughtfully to meaningful scenarios, and earn Achievement Tokens for demonstrating insight, compassion, and self-awareness.
This game fosters a supportive, collaborative environment where students listen, share, and encourage one another while navigating life-skill challenges together. Whether used as a classroom tool, leadership activity, or reflection exercise, The Ultimate Life Skills Game helps students develop emotional intelligence, communication skills, and critical thinking in a playful, non-judgmental way. The experience ends with a group reflection, allowing students to consolidate their learning and recognise how these life skills can positively shape their relationships, decision-making, and everyday well-being.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to recognise, express, and manage emotions across a range of real-life scenarios.
- Builds empathy by prompting reflection on how feelings such as nervousness, pride, fear, or gratitude influence behaviour.
- Promotes emotional vocabulary and self-awareness through structured discussion about confidence, vulnerability, and empathy.
2. Personal Strengths
- Helps students identify and apply personal strengths such as adaptability, courage, creativity, and persistence.
- Encourages self-reflection and pride in one’s ability to grow through challenges and new experiences.
- Reinforces that every student possesses unique strengths that contribute to their personal development and relationships.
3. Positive Coping
- Promotes practical strategies for managing stress, uncertainty, and emotional challenges through reflection and dialogue.
- Encourages healthy coping mechanisms such as gratitude, play, and seeking support when facing difficulty.
- Reinforces the importance of viewing mistakes and vulnerability as opportunities for learning and connection.
4. Problem Solving
- Develops critical thinking as students navigate realistic life scenarios requiring thoughtful decision-making.
- Promotes reflection on multiple perspectives, helping students consider how their choices impact themselves and others.
- Strengthens communication and reasoning skills as students discuss, evaluate, and justify their responses.
5. Stress Management
- Provides a structured yet supportive environment where students practise managing emotions through guided reflection.
- Reinforces mindfulness and gratitude as tools for maintaining calm and balance in challenging moments.
- Encourages students to approach unexpected or uncomfortable situations with flexibility and optimism.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises seeking help, guidance, or emotional support through vulnerability and openness.
- Reinforces that asking for assistance is a sign of courage and self-awareness, not weakness.
- Encourages students to identify trusted sources of support, including peers, teachers, and family members.
7. Gender and Identity
- Promotes inclusivity and equality by recognising that emotional intelligence and life skills are valuable for everyone.
- Encourages authentic self-expression and reflection on personal identity, values, and experiences.
- Challenges stereotypes by celebrating diverse strengths and approaches to confidence, empathy, and resilience.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Builds respect, trust, and understanding through collaborative discussion and active listening.
- Reinforces kindness, fairness, and empathy in how students communicate and respond to others’ experiences.
- Strengthens class unity by promoting shared reflection, open dialogue, and mutual appreciation of differences.
Ten of a Kind
Ten of a Kind is a fast, fun, and high-energy dice game that blends physical movement with strategy and perseverance. Players or teams roll ten dice at a time, setting aside any matching numbers and completing exercises after each roll. With every round, the challenge grows as players work to match all ten dice to the same number, creating a thrilling mix of luck, fitness, and focus. Whether played individually or as part of a team, the game keeps everyone moving, thinking, and laughing as they try to reach their goal first.
This engaging activity encourages teamwork, communication, and positive sportsmanship while promoting physical fitness through movement-based challenges. The dice's unpredictability makes every round exciting, pushing players to persevere, strategise, and stay locked in on the shared target number. Easily adaptable for different age groups, fitness levels, and settings, Ten of a Kind is a versatile, enjoyable game that builds connection, resilience, and energy in any classroom, gym, or team environment.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages awareness of emotions such as excitement, anticipation, and determination during fast-paced gameplay.
- Promotes self-regulation as students manage frustration, competitiveness, and the unpredictability of dice rolls.
- Builds empathy and connection through shared laughter, encouragement, and collective celebration of effort and achievement.
2. Personal Strengths
- Highlights perseverance, focus, and resilience as key strengths in completing the challenge.
- Encourages students to recognise their individual contributions to teamwork and collective success.
- Builds confidence through physical engagement, strategy, and a sense of accomplishment.
3. Positive Coping
- Reinforces persistence and a positive attitude when outcomes depend on chance or when success takes time.
- Promotes laughter, movement, and play as effective coping tools for stress and emotional release.
- Encourages students to celebrate effort and participation rather than focusing solely on results.
4. Problem Solving
- Develops strategic thinking and decision-making as students plan how to roll, group, and set aside matching dice.
- Encourages communication and collaboration when strategising in teams.
- Promotes adaptability and reflection as students adjust approaches based on outcomes of previous rolls.
5. Stress Management
- Provides a fun, active outlet to relieve tension and re-energise the mind through movement.
- Encourages focus, breathing, and composure during competitive or challenging moments.
- Reinforces the idea that play and physical activity contribute to emotional balance and wellbeing.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises asking for guidance or clarification about rules or exercises in a supportive environment.
- Encourages teamwork and mutual support when facing challenges or uncertainties.
- Reinforces that seeking and offering help strengthens relationships and enhances shared enjoyment.
7. Gender and Identity
- Promotes inclusivity and equality through a simple, universally accessible game format.
- Challenges stereotypes by celebrating qualities like persistence, focus, and creativity over strength or dominance.
- Encourages authentic participation where all students can contribute and succeed regardless of background or ability.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Builds respect and teamwork through shared encouragement, fair play, and cooperative competition.
- Reinforces kindness, respect, and inclusion as key behaviours in collaborative settings.
- Strengthens group unity by fostering an atmosphere of laughter, energy, and mutual appreciation.
Paper or Toothpaste Challenge
The Paper or Toothpaste Challenge is a powerful, hands-on activity that teaches students about the lasting impact of their words and actions. Through two simple but memorable tasks, attempting to put toothpaste back into a tube, or trying to smooth out a scrunched-up piece of paper, participants experience a clear visual metaphor: once something is said or done, it cannot be fully undone. This tangible demonstration helps students understand the importance of speaking with kindness, acting thoughtfully, and considering the consequences of their behaviour before making choices.
Both versions of the activity spark meaningful reflection and discussion, encouraging students to recognise how their words affect others and how empathy and kindness strengthen relationships. Whether used in a classroom, workplace, or family setting, the challenge helps build emotional intelligence by promoting mindful communication and responsible decision-making. Simple, impactful, and deeply relatable, the Paper or Toothpaste Challenge offers a memorable lesson that stays with participants long after the activity ends.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to recognise emotions that arise from words and actions, both positive and negative.
- Builds self-awareness as students reflect on how their behaviour affects others’ feelings.
- Promotes empathy by helping students understand the emotional impact of careless or kind communication.
2. Personal Strengths
- Highlights self-control, mindfulness, and integrity as important personal strengths.
- Encourages students to practise thoughtfulness and emotional maturity before speaking or acting.
- Builds confidence in using positive communication to strengthen relationships and create harmony.
3. Positive Coping
- Reinforces empathy and reflection as healthy ways to manage interpersonal conflict.
- Encourages students to take responsibility for their words and actions while practising forgiveness and repair.
- Promotes self-compassion by helping students learn from mistakes without harsh self-criticism.
4. Problem Solving
- Develops critical thinking as students analyse real-life situations where unkind words or actions have consequences.
- Encourages reflection on alternative ways to respond thoughtfully and respectfully.
- Promotes proactive communication and conflict prevention through kindness and empathy.
5. Stress Management
- Provides a calm, reflective activity that invites students to slow down and think before acting.
- Encourages mindfulness and emotional regulation through guided discussion and reflection.
- Reinforces the connection between careful communication and reduced interpersonal stress.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises admitting mistakes and seeking forgiveness as part of healthy relationships.
- Encourages students to ask for guidance or support when struggling with conflict or regret.
- Reinforces that communicating openly with trusted peers or adults can help repair harm and rebuild trust.
7. Gender and Identity
- Promotes equality and respect by showing that everyone’s words and actions hold power and impact.
- Encourages authentic self-expression guided by kindness and empathy.
- Challenges stereotypes around emotional expression, teaching that care and thoughtfulness are universal strengths.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Builds understanding of how respectful communication fosters positive, equitable relationships.
- Reinforces kindness, accountability, and empathy as key ingredients of respectful interactions.
- Strengthens classroom and school culture by promoting thoughtful behaviour and genuine care for others.
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