Activities

Activities to help supplement your studies and learning.

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Class collages

Subject area:  Personal and Social Development

Suitable age range:  9–11 years

Resources needed: Art board A3 size, old advertising postcards (can often be found in cafes, museums or other public places) used birthday cards with words and pictures, scissors, felt letters, glue, stickers.

Expected timings: 40–50 minutes

Expected outcomes of the activity: Raised awareness of responsibility for a positive classroom environment; Communication about inclusion and friendship; Cooperation skills.

Details of the activity:

Introduction: (2 minutes) Begin with the students in a circle and state the guidelines:

  •  When you are speaking everyone will listen to you, so please listen to others
     
  • There are no put-downs
     
  • You may pass if you do not wish to speak.
     

Ask pupils to stand and change places if they think…

  • A grandparent can be a friend
     
  • A pet can be a friend
     
  • People in this class can be friendly.
     

Task 1: (3 minutes) With the person next to them, pupils are asked to think about when this class is a friendly place to be.  What do they notice is happening?  Ask them to think of two ways to finish this sentence ste: ‘We enjoy being in this class when…’

Going around the circle each person says one of the things they have agreed.  The teacher notes and comments on what is said most often.

Task 2: (25 minutes) Pairs are asked to pair up again so they are in groups of four.  Each group has an art-board and materials.  They are asked to create a collage that represents their ideal class; one where everyone is happy and feels they belong. Let pupils know they will be presenting their creation at the end of the lesson and saying how they worked together to complete the collage and what they thought was important.

Task 3: (10 minutes) Each group of four presents their collage to the rest of the circle.  One of the group explains what is in their collage and why. Another explains how they worked together.  Others are asked if they have anything else to add.