The School of Play Curriculum
Primary School Grade 5 & 6
This week brings together fast-paced physical games, strategic thinking, gratitude practices, and meaningful reflection to support students’ overall well-being. Through high-energy dice challenges, movement-based competition, and thoughtful sharing, students develop quick reflexes, improve decision-making skills, and strengthen emotional intelligence. The week encourages students to balance action with intention, acting fast when needed, slowing down for reflection, and working collaboratively with peers in a supportive, fun-filled environment.
Students also engage deeply in gratitude practices and reflective conversations that help them build stronger connections with one another. Activities like the Gratitude Wall and Naughts and Crosses Reflect & Share promote emotional awareness, communication skills, and empathy, while Matchy Matchy Dice and Dice 0–100 combine friendly competition with physical fitness and cognitive challenge. By blending strategy, movement, celebration, and communication, this week helps students recognise the power of gratitude, teamwork, and personal growth, skills they can carry into their everyday lives.
Courses
Double Dice 0 - 100
Double Dice 0–100 is a fast-paced, high-energy game that blends luck, speed, and strategy into one thrilling group challenge. Players rapidly roll two dice at the same time, waiting for the moment they hit doubles, because only then can they grab the pen and begin writing their number sequence from 1 to 100. The urgency of stealing the pen and maximising every second of writing time boosts reflexes, focus, and hand-eye coordination. Meanwhile, the constant rolling creates an electric atmosphere of anticipation, with players fully engaged throughout the entire game.
The game also promotes strategic thinking, fair play, and positive group interaction as students race toward the finish line. Each player must decide how quickly to roll, when to focus, and how to make the most of their writing turn before another player shouts “Double!” With endless movement and quick transitions, players stay mentally and socially switched on, encouraging healthy competition and supportive group dynamics. Adaptable for younger students, large groups, or educational extensions, Double Dice 0–100 is a dynamic, addictive activity that builds speed, stamina, and strategy, all while keeping everyone laughing and fully involved.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to recognise and manage excitement, frustration, and anticipation during fast-paced play.
- Builds self-awareness as students regulate emotions when they win or lose.
- Reinforces positive emotional expression through laughter and teamwork.
2. Personal Strengths
- Promotes focus, perseverance, and self-control under pressure.
- Helps students identify and use strengths such as patience, quick thinking, and fairness.
- Builds confidence through active participation and improvement over time.
3. Positive Coping
- Teaches resilience and composure when outcomes don’t go as planned.
- Encourages positive self-talk and emotional balance in a competitive setting.
4. Problem Solving
- Strengthens strategic and critical thinking as students plan how to maximise time and opportunities.
- Develops decision-making under time pressure while managing focus and reactions.
5. Stress Management
- Provides a playful outlet for managing adrenaline and stress through movement and focus.
- Encourages calm recovery and emotional regulation between rounds.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises asking questions or seeking clarification on rules and fairness.
- Encourages peer support and shared understanding in a group environment.
7. Gender and Identity
- Offers an inclusive and equal opportunity game where all participants can contribute and succeed.
- Builds confidence and belonging across diverse groups without bias.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Reinforces respect, fairness, and empathy during competitive moments.
- Encourages celebrating others’ successes and maintaining positive relationships through play.
Gratitude Wall
The Gratitude Wall is a simple yet powerful activity designed to build a culture of appreciation, reflection, and emotional well-being within any group setting. Using a dice-based prompt system, participants write short reflections on Post-it notes and add them to a shared wall, gradually transforming it into a bright, uplifting display of positivity. Each roll of the dice leads to a new gratitude-themed question, encouraging students to pause, reflect on meaningful moments, and recognise the good in their daily lives. This routine nurtures mindfulness and emotional awareness, helping individuals shift their focus toward joy, progress, and personal achievement.
Beyond individual reflection, the Gratitude Wall strengthens community connection by allowing participants to read and appreciate one another’s contributions. As the wall fills with colourful “leaves” of gratitude, it becomes a visual celebration of kindness, growth, and shared humanity. Students experience the power of expressing thanks and of being surrounded by collective positivity, fostering a warm, supportive environment where everyone feels valued. Whether used in classrooms, workplaces, or family homes, the Gratitude Wall serves as an ongoing reminder that small moments of gratitude can create big changes in mindset and connection.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Helps students recognise, understand, and express positive emotions through written gratitude reflections.
- Builds emotional awareness by connecting feelings with specific experiences or people.
- Encourages empathy by reading and appreciating others’ gratitude notes.
2. Personal Strengths
- Promotes self-awareness and pride by identifying personal achievements and sources of happiness.
- Encourages appreciation of individual strengths, values, and accomplishments.
- Builds confidence through sharing positive reflections publicly.
3. Positive Coping
- Fosters resilience and optimism by focusing on what’s going well rather than challenges.
- Teaches gratitude as a tool for managing stress and maintaining perspective in tough times.
4. Problem Solving
- Encourages reflective thinking about how positive choices and experiences contribute to well-being.
- Helps students recognise patterns in what makes them happy, guiding future decisions and actions.
5. Stress Management
- Acts as a mindful pause, helping students calm their thoughts and focus on positivity.
- Reduces stress through reflection and appreciation, fostering a calm and supportive environment.
6. Help-Seeking
- Creates a community culture where sharing gratitude normalises openness and emotional expression.
- Encourages students to recognise and thank those who support them, reinforcing supportive networks.
7. Gender and Identity
- Provides an inclusive platform for all voices and experiences to be valued equally.
- Encourages authentic self-expression without judgment, promoting respect for diverse perspectives.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Strengthens group bonds through kindness, respect, and appreciation for others’ contributions.
- Promotes empathy, positive communication, and shared celebration within the community.
Matchy Matchy Dice
Matchy Matchy Dice is an energetic blend of strategic thinking, probability, and physical fitness, making it an ideal game for engaging both the mind and body. Players roll eight dice and must decide which numbers to set aside and which risks are worth taking as they aim to build the highest score without “busting.” Every decision requires thoughtful risk management, balancing the urge to keep rolling for more points with the danger of being unable to set aside a die. This promotes probabilistic reasoning, quick mental calculations, and strategic foresight. The added layer of bust penalties encourages players to think ahead and weigh each decision carefully, making every turn unpredictable and exciting.
Alongside strategic play, Matchy Matchy Dice integrates meaningful movement, turning score totals into physical exercise that reinforces teamwork, motivation, and physical well-being. Each round corresponds to a different fitness movement, squats, star jumps, lunges, burpees, and more, ensuring players stay active while having fun. Whether students are celebrating a strong score with minimal reps or pushing through extra exercises after a bust, the game creates a lively, supportive environment where players cheer each other on. This combination of mental challenge, physical engagement, and group interaction makes Matchy Matchy Dice a dynamic activity that builds resilience, strengthens peer relationships, and boosts overall fitness.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Builds emotional regulation as students manage excitement, disappointment, and frustration during gameplay.
- Encourages awareness of emotions linked to risk-taking and competition.
- Promotes positive expression through encouragement and shared enjoyment.
2. Personal Strengths
- Reinforces perseverance, focus, and patience when managing success and setbacks.
- Encourages confidence in decision-making and recognising personal improvement over rounds.
- Highlights self-discipline and determination through both mental and physical challenges.
3. Positive Coping
- Teaches resilience by embracing unpredictability and viewing “busting” as part of the learning experience.
- Promotes positive self-talk and humour to manage competitive emotions.
4. Problem Solving
- Strengthens strategic thinking, probability reasoning, and risk assessment.
- Encourages students to analyse outcomes, adapt strategies, and make quick, thoughtful decisions.
5. Stress Management
- Supports stress relief through active movement and laughter between rounds.
- Helps students practise focus and calm decision-making in high-energy moments.
6. Help-Seeking
- Fosters peer learning as students share tips and strategies or ask for rule clarification.
- Encourages communication and teamwork when playing in pairs or teams.
7. Gender and Identity
- Provides an inclusive activity where all participants, regardless of gender or ability, contribute equally.
- Promotes self-expression and confidence through both movement and gameplay.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Reinforces respect and fairness during competition, valuing effort over outcome.
- Builds empathy and camaraderie through shared physical challenges and mutual encouragement.
Naughts and Crosses Reflect & Share
Naughts & Crosses Reflect & Share transforms the classic tic-tac-toe game into a meaningful reflection and connection experience between partners. After placing an X or O on the board, players must thoughtfully answer a prompt, complete a task, or share a personal reflection. This encourages deeper thinking, emotional awareness, and honest communication, helping students consider their experiences, strengths, challenges, and goals in a safe and structured way. By requiring reflective responses before making a strategic move, the activity blends personal growth with gameplay, creating an engaging balance between introspection and fun competition.
The game also strengthens connection, communication, and strategic thinking as players listen to each other's reflections while planning their next tactical move. With themed cards, including gratitude, well-being, fitness, friendship, and even blank templates for custom questions, this activity can be easily tailored to any group. Whether used in classrooms, leadership programs, family sessions, or staff professional development, Naughts & Crosses Reflect & Share promotes meaningful conversations, builds trust, and supports emotional development. The combination of playful strategy and purposeful reflection makes it an ideal tool for fostering deeper relationships and positive interaction.
Respectful Relationships
1. Emotional Literacy
- Encourages students to recognise and articulate their emotions through reflective questions.
- Builds emotional vocabulary and understanding by linking experiences with feelings.
- Strengthens empathy through active listening and sharing with a partner.
2. Personal Strengths
- Promotes self-awareness by helping students identify positive qualities, achievements, and values.
- Builds confidence through meaningful sharing and being heard in a safe setting.
- Encourages appreciation of others’ strengths and perspectives.
3. Positive Coping
- Provides opportunities for students to process experiences and discuss positive ways to handle challenges.
- Reinforces resilience by focusing on lessons learned from past experiences.
4. Problem Solving
- Combines reflection with strategic thinking as students plan moves while considering thoughtful responses.
- Encourages decision-making, patience, and adaptability in both discussion and gameplay.
5. Stress Management
- Offers a calm, low-pressure setting for emotional expression and reflection.
- Encourages relaxation and emotional regulation through structured, respectful sharing.
6. Help-Seeking
- Normalises talking about personal thoughts and feelings in a supportive environment.
- Promotes open communication and trust between peers, encouraging mutual support.
7. Gender and Identity
- Provides an inclusive platform for all students to express individual experiences without judgment.
- Encourages respect for diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and identities.
8. Positive Gender Relations
- Reinforces respectful dialogue and turn-taking between players.
- Promotes kindness, empathy, and fairness during both reflection and competitive play.
.avif)
