Classroom Strategies

Create a class bingo board to try and complete before the end of the term. The individual squares/activities could include things like; kindness to others, service, organisation (e.g. no one in the class forgets their P.E. gear for a whole week) etc.

Do something nice for, or to benefit, other form classes in the same Year Level. This might be as simple as planning a fun lunchtime game/activity for the year group to participate in before the end of the term

Do a good old post-it collage using different colours to have them reflect on aspects of the term to date (funniest moment, biggest achievement etc) and what they want to carry over in Term 4 (a learning takeaway, an improvement they'd like to make etc)

Colour-coded chatting. Lots of ways to do this, but you need something that comes in various colours (Fruit Bursts, M&Ms, JellyBeans, counters). Put students in groups and have them randomly select an item. Each colour represents a different question or talking point. OR - have students select an item, and the colour is what groups them, then they are given talking points/questions to discuss in their group. This works well just using "Would You Rather" questions if you don't want it to be too deep/meaningful.

Service/Oha - something we are going to be unpacking together next term is what service can look like on a daily basis. Service to self? Service to our peers/year group school/community etc. As a school value, we want students to appreciate that service isn't limited to donating to causes.

It's 'Active April' in the Action for Happiness calendar, so perhaps treat your students to some busy, active activities. Take a walk through the school encouraging more 'moving' than talking. Brainstorm strategies students use to encourage movement and action in their busy lives or when navigating their timetables. Do Yoga or mid-lesson stretching activities with a youtube clip or similar activity.

Shark Tank: Split students into small groups and give each a random object or service. Each group has 10 minutes to develop a ‘pitch’ or ‘ad’ to sell their product/service Each then has 2 minutes to present their pitch to the class (of ‘sharks’) who then vote whether to back it or not. The majority vote wins.

Youth Group Games - lots of these will be known to you, but a nice resource if your mind is blank (like mine right now!)

Squiggle Masterpiece

• Give each student a small piece of paper and have them draw a ‘squiggle’.

• Have students swap their squiggle with someone else. They have 3 minutes to turn their squiggle into a picture by drawing on it or adding to it.

• Students then leave their own image on their desk and walk around to ‘view’ everyone else’s masterpiece. 

• Alternatively: students pair up and explain their image to each other, OR, get volunteers to show their art to the class and explain what they have done.

Student Taskmaster Challenge - this is not new but could be fun to revisit.

5 small activities that any teacher from any background/subject area could lead. Each activity can be covered alone in one lesson (the blob tree and check-in form can be revisited). We have focused these activities around; Hauora knowledge, checking and connecting on students wellbeing as well as installing some fun (kahoots) into form time. All bar one activity can be led with a group of students at school or at home in a hybrid learning situation. The "I'm a fan" - compliment activity is the only one that must be completed at school.