The School of Play Curriculum
Primary School Grade 5 & 6
Week Four brings together social interaction, creativity, and physical activity to create a lively, connected, and meaningful learning experience. Students dive into energetic group games that promote teamwork, coordination, and confidence while also engaging in reflective activities that invite them to express gratitude, kindness, and positive emotions. Through fast-paced movement, creative drawing, and connection-building conversations, students learn how fun and meaningful it can be to interact, communicate, and support their peers.
This week also helps students explore emotional expression and appreciation in a playful yet thoughtful way. By sharing gratitude, identifying meaningful relationships, and expressing emotions creatively, students strengthen empathy and deepen their understanding of those around them. Combined with active games that build coordination and social bonding, Week Four nurtures a positive group atmosphere where students feel energised, encouraged, and connected, supporting their physical, social, and emotional well-being in equal measure.
Courses
Head Shoulder Knee Toe Add Up
Head, Shoulder, Knee, Toe Add Up is a high-energy, connection-driven icebreaker that gets participants laughing, moving, and mingling within minutes. The game combines simple physical gestures with rapid partner swapping, encouraging students to interact with as many people as possible in a fun and non-competitive way. With each quick round, partners turning to face each other and choosing a gesture without planning, players practise coordination, focus, and spontaneity. When gestures match, both players score a point, celebrating the moment before sprinting off to find someone new, keeping the atmosphere vibrant and full of momentum.
What makes this game so effective is its ability to build community through movement and shared enjoyment. Whether played with a group of 20 or a crowd of 200, participants naturally open up, laugh together, and feel comfortable connecting with others. Optional fitness add-ons bring an extra layer of energy, and variations allow it to be tailored for children, staff groups, or fitness-focused sessions. More than just an activity, Head, Shoulder, Knee, Toe Add Up creates an inclusive, uplifting environment where everyone feels part of something fun, active, and social.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to express positive emotions through laughter and shared fun.
- Builds awareness of teamwork-related emotions like joy, excitement, and connection.
- Promotes regulation of energy and emotions during active, high-energy play.
2. Personal Strengths
- Highlights strengths such as coordination, quick thinking, and adaptability.
- Encourages students to show enthusiasm, confidence, and persistence while playing.
- Promotes cooperation and the value of positivity as personal strengths in group settings.
3. Positive Coping
- Reinforces using play and physical activity as healthy outlets for stress and emotion.
- Teaches students to handle mistakes or mismatches with humour and resilience.
4. Problem Solving
- Develops focus and decision-making as students quickly choose gestures under time pressure.
- Encourages flexible thinking and responsiveness when changing partners and adapting to new situations.
5. Stress Management
- Provides an energising and joyful way to relieve tension through movement and laughter.
- Promotes mindfulness through physical rhythm and coordinated interaction.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises asking for clarification and peer support during gameplay.
- Builds trust and cooperation as students connect with multiple partners in a friendly setting.
7. Gender and Identity
- Promotes inclusivity and equality through a shared physical activity open to all students.
- Encourages authentic participation, allowing every student to engage at their own comfort level.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Reinforces respect, fairness, and kindness during rapid partner rotations.
- Strengthens empathy and teamwork through repeated positive social exchanges.
The Happiness Boomerang
The Happiness Boomerang is a powerful kindness challenge designed to deepen relationships and elevate emotional well-being through heartfelt communication. Over ten days, participants choose one person each day and send a sincere message sharing why they admire them, what makes them proud, or how much they appreciate them. Whether delivered as a handwritten note or later as a text message, each message becomes an intentional act of vulnerability and positivity. This daily practice not only strengthens emotional expression but also allows students to reflect on the important people in their lives and articulate feelings they may not usually voice.
What makes this activity so transformative is the ripple effect it creates, both for the sender and the recipient. As participants express admiration, respect, and love, they experience the uplifting emotions tied to kindness, gratitude, and connection. Many will receive emotional, unexpected responses from the people they reach out to, reinforcing the power of genuine positive communication. The Happiness Boomerang encourages a culture of warmth, empathy, and appreciation, making it an ideal activity for classrooms, leadership programs, well-being sessions, or anyone wanting to build deeper human connections.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Builds emotional awareness by encouraging students to identify and express admiration, pride, and love.
- Strengthens emotional vocabulary through writing heartfelt and specific messages.
- Promotes empathy by helping students understand and reflect on others’ emotions and reactions.
2. Personal Strengths
- Reinforces kindness, gratitude, and authenticity as key personal strengths.
- Builds confidence and self-worth through the act of giving positive feedback to others.
- Encourages reflection on character traits that strengthen relationships.
3. Positive Coping
- Promotes positive emotional expression as a healthy way to manage stress and enhance well-being.
- Encourages students to focus on positive relationships and emotions to counteract negativity.
4. Problem Solving
- Develops reflective thinking by helping students consider how to express genuine appreciation effectively.
- Encourages creative and thoughtful communication strategies to maintain healthy relationships.
5. Stress Management
- Fosters calmness and positivity through daily gratitude and connection-based reflection.
- Reduces emotional tension by focusing on giving and receiving kindness.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises emotional vulnerability and reaching out to others in supportive ways.
- Encourages open and caring communication, helping students recognise trusted relationships.
7. Gender and Identity
- Promotes self-expression and authenticity beyond gender norms or stereotypes.
- Encourages inclusivity by valuing diverse forms of emotional connection and communication.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Strengthens empathy, respect, and emotional honesty in interpersonal relationships.
- Reinforces kindness, mutual appreciation, and understanding as foundations for positive connections.
Space Invaders
Space Invaders is a fast-paced, movement-based team challenge that blends classic arcade nostalgia with active play, strategy, and teamwork. Working in pairs or small teams, players roll dice to target invader icons on their game card, earning points based on colour and completing fitness challenges after each successful hit. With every roll, teams must communicate quickly, add numbers fast, and choose the smartest targets to maximise points, especially when doubles allow them to eliminate two invaders in the same turn. The game runs for 10–15 minutes, keeping players moving, thinking, and collaborating throughout.
What makes Space Invaders so powerful is how it integrates teamwork, quick decision-making, and physical movement to create a thrilling, high-energy experience. Teams must strategise together, support one another, and stay focused as they tackle both invaders and fitness tasks. The combination of competition, exercise, and rapid problem-solving builds connection, boosts engagement, and energises the entire group. Adaptable for younger students, fitness sessions, or team-building environments, Space Invaders Dice Battle is an exciting way to promote activity, collaboration, and fun.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to recognise emotions such as excitement, anticipation, and pride during gameplay.
- Builds emotional regulation as teams manage competition and maintain positive interactions.
- Promotes awareness of how teamwork and encouragement influence group morale.
2. Personal Strengths
- Highlights personal qualities like perseverance, focus, leadership, and teamwork.
- Encourages confidence through active participation and contribution to team success.
- Reinforces resilience and adaptability in responding to challenges and setbacks.
3. Positive Coping
- Teaches students to manage frustration and remain positive in competitive scenarios.
- Reinforces persistence and the importance of supporting teammates when outcomes don’t go as planned.
4. Problem Solving
- Develops quick-thinking and strategic planning as students decide where to target and how to maximise points.
- Promotes critical and creative thinking through team strategy and adaptation during play.
5. Stress Management
- Provides a physically active outlet to relieve tension and promote well-being.
- Encourages students to focus energy productively through fun and movement-based competition.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises teamwork and asking for input or advice when forming group strategies.
- Builds trust and communication skills as students rely on one another for success.
7. Gender and Identity
- Promotes inclusivity through mixed teams that value everyone’s contribution equally.
- Encourages leadership and participation across diverse roles, free from gender stereotypes.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Reinforces respect, fairness, and shared decision-making during cooperative play.
- Strengthens empathy and connection through encouragement, teamwork, and celebrating effort.
Gratitude Pictionary
Gratitude Pictionary is a creative and meaningful activity that encourages participants to express what they are grateful for through simple drawings rather than words. In just one minute, players sketch something that represents a moment, person, or experience they appreciate, and the group takes turns guessing the meaning behind each drawing. This non-verbal expression allows participants to tap into creative thinking while reflecting on the positive aspects of their lives, making the experience both playful and deeply reflective.
What makes Gratitude Pictionary powerful is the connection that comes from sharing and interpreting each other’s artwork. As participants reveal the stories behind their drawings, they build empathy, understanding, and a sense of belonging within the group. When all drawings are combined to form a Gratitude Wall, it becomes a visual celebration of the collective joys, values, and meaningful moments shared by everyone. This simple but heartfelt activity strengthens relationships and fosters a positive, appreciative culture in any classroom, team, or family setting.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to recognise and express emotions of gratitude and joy through creative, non-verbal art.
- Builds empathy by allowing students to interpret and understand others’ emotions through their drawings.
- Strengthens emotional vocabulary and understanding through reflection and discussion after the guessing round.
2. Personal Strengths
- Promotes creativity, self-expression, and confidence in sharing personal reflections.
- Encourages self-awareness by identifying what matters most to each student.
- Builds pride and appreciation for personal experiences and the things that bring happiness.
3. Positive Coping
- Reinforces gratitude as a positive coping tool to reframe thoughts and manage stress.
- Encourages reflection on positive moments and relationships to enhance emotional resilience.
4. Problem Solving
- Develops critical and creative thinking as students interpret and guess the meanings behind drawings.
- Promotes communication and perspective-taking by understanding others’ points of view.
5. Stress Management
- Provides a calming and enjoyable creative outlet for emotional release.
- Encourages mindfulness through focused drawing and reflective discussion.
6. Help-Seeking
- Fosters a supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing and listening.
- Promotes connection through empathy and positive interactions with peers.
7. Gender and Identity
- Encourages authentic, individual expression of gratitude without judgment or stereotype.
- Celebrates diverse experiences, values, and perspectives across all participants.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Builds respect and understanding through shared reflection and appreciation of others’ contributions.
- Reinforces kindness, empathy, and positive communication during group interaction.
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