The School of Play Curriculum
Primary School Grade 5 & 6
Week Ten blends strategic thinking, communication, movement, and gratitude to create a vibrant, collaborative learning experience. Students improve their ability to describe, act, recall, and respond quickly through games like Fast and Fun Famous Faces and Card Memory Lane, which challenge both their communication skills and memory under pressure. These playful activities naturally strengthen teamwork as students rely on partners, coordinate strategies, and support one another to achieve shared goals. The physical elements of the session keep energy high and help students connect cognitive challenge with movement, building stronger engagement and focus.
The week also encourages meaningful reflection and gratitude, helping students develop self-awareness and a positive mindset. Through activities like PEGG Reflection and Paddocks Gratitude, students consider how play, exercise, gratitude, and giving have shaped their growth and well-being. They share personal insights, express appreciation, and recognise the positive people and experiences in their lives. Together, these activities highlight the importance of communication, teamwork, and gratitude, empowering students to strengthen relationships, celebrate progress, and carry positive habits into their everyday lives.
Courses
Fast and Fun Famous Faces
Fast & Fun Famous Faces is a lively, fast-paced partner game that blends quick thinking, communication, and creativity. Working in small groups, players take turns guessing famous personalities through three distinct rounds, describing, acting, and using only one word. Each round becomes progressively more challenging, encouraging students to use clear language, expressive non-verbal cues, and clever one-word clues to help their partner identify as many famous faces as possible within the 30-second time limit.
The game promotes teamwork, memory recall, and rapid problem-solving as pairs build momentum across rounds and cheer each other on. Because all names remain in play after Round One, players must rely on their memory, attention, and growing familiarity with the clues to score points. Fast & Fun Famous Faces creates a fun, energetic environment ideal for classrooms, well-being sessions, parties, and team-building activities, bringing laughter, collaboration, and healthy competition to any group.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to read and interpret emotions through facial expressions, tone, and nonverbal cues.
- Builds empathy and awareness as students observe and respond to their partner’s reactions during the guessing game.
- Promotes laughter and shared enjoyment, helping students connect emotionally and build comfort expressing themselves.
2. Personal Strengths
- Highlights creativity, confidence, and communication as personal strengths during expressive play.
- Encourages students to recognise quick thinking, humour, and teamwork as valuable social strengths.
- Builds self-assurance as students perform, take risks, and contribute to their group’s success.
3. Positive Coping
- Reinforces the use of humour, play, and connection as positive coping mechanisms in social settings.
- Encourages resilience and adaptability when mistakes occur or when guesses are missed.
- Promotes maintaining a positive mindset under pressure, supporting emotional balance and confidence.
4. Problem Solving
- Develops critical and creative thinking as students find effective ways to describe or act out famous figures.
- Encourages adaptability and quick reasoning within time constraints.
- Strengthens communication problem-solving as pairs refine their strategies through each round.
5. Stress Management
- Provides a high-energy, laughter-filled experience that reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
- Encourages focus, calm, and controlled excitement during quick-turn gameplay.
- Reinforces the role of play and humour in managing emotions and building a positive group atmosphere.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises asking for clarification or support in a light-hearted, low-stakes environment.
- Promotes collaboration and reliance on one another for shared success.
- Reinforces trust and teamwork through nonverbal communication and encouragement.
7. Gender and Identity
- Promotes inclusivity by celebrating a range of public figures and encouraging diverse representations.
- Breaks down stereotypes by valuing creativity, humour, and expression equally among all participants.
- Encourages students to appreciate and portray figures from a variety of backgrounds, fostering respect for diversity.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Builds respect and equality through turn-taking, listening, and encouraging all voices.
- Reinforces kindness, support, and fair play as part of positive group interactions.
- Strengthens social connection and respect by fostering shared laughter, teamwork, and understanding.
PEGG Reflection
PEGG Reflection is a powerful end-of-program activity designed to help students pause, look back, and make meaning of their experiences with the Daily PEGG, Play, Exercise, Gratitude, and Giving. Through a guided worksheet, students reflect on what they enjoyed most, the challenges they faced, and the ways the PEGG has contributed to their mental and physical well-being. This process encourages deeper self-awareness, helping students recognise personal growth, celebrate their achievements, and understand how each component of the PEGG has shaped their attitudes, behaviours, and connections with others.
The activity also prompts students to consider how the lessons learned through the Daily PEGG can be transferred into everyday life to strengthen their well-being and enhance their relationships. Whether students keep their reflections private or choose to share with a partner or the class, the PEGG Reflection creates a supportive environment for vulnerability, connection, and intentional goal setting. It serves as a meaningful conclusion to the PEGG experience, helping students identify insights they can carry forward and empowering them to continue practising play, movement, gratitude, and giving beyond the classroom.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to recognise and articulate emotions linked to Play, Exercise, Gratitude, and Giving.
- Builds self-awareness by prompting reflection on what activities brought joy, challenge, or growth.
- Promotes empathy and emotional expression through sharing reflections and listening to others’ experiences.
2. Personal Strengths
- Helps students identify strengths such as perseverance, gratitude, and kindness developed during the Daily PEGG.
- Encourages recognition of how these strengths contribute to wellbeing and positive relationships.
- Builds confidence as students acknowledge their growth and the impact of their positive actions.
3. Positive Coping
- Reinforces reflection as a healthy coping strategy for managing emotions and challenges.
- Promotes gratitude and giving as key tools for maintaining a positive mindset.
- Encourages resilience by helping students recognise how they’ve overcome difficulties and learned from experiences.
4. Problem Solving
- Prompts students to reflect on challenges faced during the Daily PEGG and the strategies used to overcome them.
- Encourages critical thinking about how lessons from reflection can be applied to future situations.
- Builds awareness of how mindful action and reflection support effective decision-making.
5. Stress Management
- Provides a calm, structured opportunity for mindfulness and emotional release through reflective writing.
- Reinforces that play, movement, and gratitude can reduce stress and enhance wellbeing.
- Encourages ongoing self-care habits by recognising what daily practices improve mood and focus.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises sharing reflections and seeking guidance or support from peers and teachers.
- Builds trust and connection through open dialogue about personal growth and challenges.
- Reinforces the value of community support in maintaining wellbeing and personal development.
7. Gender and Identity
- Promotes inclusivity by valuing each student’s individual reflections and experiences equally.
- Encourages authentic self-expression and celebration of unique perspectives.
- Supports the development of identity through reflection on values, relationships, and personal growth.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Builds respect and understanding through shared reflection and active listening.
- Reinforces kindness, empathy, and equality during group discussions and sharing.
- Strengthens classroom culture by creating a supportive environment that celebrates individual and collective wellbeing.
Card Memory Lane
Card Memory Lane is an energetic team-based challenge that blends physical fitness with memory recall and strategic thinking. Inspired by the classic card game “Memory,” players race back and forth across a 20-metre area or court, flipping cards to locate a full suit in ascending order from Ace to King. Each run reveals new information, requiring players to remember card positions, communicate effectively with their teammates, and make quick decisions as the game progresses. The combination of sprinting, static holds, and rapid recall creates a dynamic experience that challenges both the mind and body.
The game encourages teamwork, communication, and endurance as pairs or teams collaborate to retrieve all thirteen cards in sequence. Teammates rely on one another’s observations and memory, building trust and developing a shared strategy to complete the challenge faster than the competing groups. Card Memory Lane brings excitement, movement, and mental engagement together in a highly adaptable format suitable for classrooms, sports groups, well-being sessions, or team-building environments, making it a standout activity for boosting fitness, focus, and fun.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages self-awareness and regulation of emotions such as excitement, frustration, and achievement during gameplay.
- Builds empathy as students recognise and respond to their teammates’ emotions through encouragement and support.
- Promotes a sense of joy and shared accomplishment when goals are achieved collaboratively.
2. Personal Strengths
- Highlights persistence, focus, and resilience as personal strengths in both mental and physical components of the game.
- Encourages recognition of teamwork, strategy, and memory as valuable personal and group strengths.
- Builds confidence as students apply their cognitive and physical abilities to achieve a shared goal.
3. Positive Coping
- Reinforces perseverance and optimism when mistakes or memory lapses occur.
- Promotes laughter and positive self-talk as strategies for managing setbacks.
- Encourages students to reframe challenges as opportunities to learn and improve.
4. Problem Solving
- Develops critical thinking as students strategise to remember card positions and plan efficient retrieval sequences.
- Encourages teamwork-based problem-solving through shared memory and discussion.
- Strengthens adaptability and reasoning as students adjust strategies based on outcomes and observations.
5. Stress Management
- Provides an active outlet for releasing energy and tension through movement and focus.
- Encourages mindfulness and concentration to remain calm and composed under time pressure.
- Promotes resilience through repetition, reflection, and supportive teamwork.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises collaboration and support-seeking as key to success in achieving a shared goal.
- Reinforces open communication and trust among teammates when sharing memory cues or strategies.
- Encourages giving and receiving feedback constructively within a safe, supportive context.
7. Gender and Identity
- Provides an inclusive, cooperative game environment where all students can contribute equally.
- Breaks down stereotypes by valuing memory, communication, and strategy as much as physical skill.
- Promotes individuality and confidence by allowing diverse strengths to shine within the team.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Builds respect and trust through shared success and fair play.
- Reinforces kindness, encouragement, and appreciation of peers’ contributions.
- Strengthens group cohesion through positive communication, cooperation, and mutual respect.
Paddocks Gratitude
Paddocks Gratitude is a thoughtful blend of classic strategy and positive reflection, transforming the well-known game of Dots and Boxes into a meaningful gratitude-sharing experience. As players take turns drawing lines to complete squares on the grid, they must think ahead, plan their moves, and anticipate their partner’s strategy to maximise their score. Each completed square becomes a moment for mindful reflection, with players rolling a dice to answer a gratitude question connected to the colour of the square they claimed. This unique twist elevates the traditional gameplay by encouraging players to pause, reflect, and share something they are grateful for, building a deeper sense of appreciation throughout the session.
The game fosters connection, communication, and a positive social atmosphere as partners listen to one another’s gratitude reflections and celebrate each other’s wins. Paddocks Gratitude encourages a balance of competitive fun and heartfelt conversation, making it a versatile activity for classrooms, well-being programs, counselling sessions, or home environments. Its combination of strategic thinking and meaningful dialogue creates a powerful tool for strengthening relationships, promoting self-awareness, and embedding gratitude in a playful, enjoyable way.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to recognise, articulate, and share feelings of gratitude, happiness, and appreciation.
- Builds emotional awareness through reflective discussion and active listening to others’ gratitude responses.
- Promotes empathy and understanding by allowing students to connect with and appreciate their partner’s experiences.
2. Personal Strengths
- Highlights personal qualities such as gratitude, reflection, and optimism as key strengths for wellbeing.
- Encourages students to identify and share their own strengths while recognising the positive traits of others.
- Builds confidence as students express meaningful reflections and feel valued for their contributions.
3. Positive Coping
- Reinforces gratitude as an effective coping strategy for managing stress and maintaining positivity.
- Promotes resilience by focusing attention on what is going well rather than on challenges.
- Encourages students to use reflection and gratitude as tools for maintaining balance and perspective.
4. Problem Solving
- Develops strategic thinking and planning skills through gameplay decisions.
- Encourages logical reasoning and creative approaches to maximising points and completing squares.
- Combines cognitive and emotional reflection, linking problem-solving with relational awareness.
5. Stress Management
- Provides a relaxed, enjoyable environment that combines focus with meaningful reflection.
- Encourages mindfulness through the practice of gratitude and intentional thinking.
- Promotes calm and positivity by pairing play with emotional expression and appreciation.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises sharing feelings and reflections in a safe, supportive environment.
- Builds communication and listening skills that encourage empathy and mutual support.
- Reinforces that expressing gratitude and connecting with others can strengthen relationships and emotional safety.
7. Gender and Identity
- Fosters inclusivity by valuing each student’s reflections equally, regardless of identity or background.
- Promotes authentic self-expression through open sharing of thoughts, memories, and emotions.
- Challenges stereotypes by linking emotional reflection with strategy, showing that gratitude and intelligence coexist across all students.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Builds respect, empathy, and kindness through listening and affirming others’ gratitude reflections.
- Reinforces positive communication and shared appreciation as key components of respectful relationships.
- Strengthens social cohesion by encouraging meaningful, compassionate dialogue in a fun and engaging setting.
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