Activity
- Explain to the class that they are going to write a ‘recipe’ for a happy,
connected, learning class. - Divide the class into small groups and ask them to make a tableau (still picture) that shows a happy and connected, learning class. What might children be doing? E.g. Sharing, listening, collaborating, questioning, acts of kindness etc. Use a countdown from 10 to keep this pacey. Repeat a couple of times so children can explore different ideas.
- Use the tableaus to spark ideas and write up some key words; kindness, caring, joy, curiosity, persistence.
- Explain that they need to decide on quantities for each ingredient. For example, we might have a hundred handfuls of joy and a generous sprinkle of listening.
- Ask each group to come up with two possible ingredients with amounts for the class recipe.
- Share and write a whole class poem reflecting all the groups’ ideas.
- Edit the finished poem as a whole class, sharing ideas and improvements before publishing.
Reflection
- How did it feel to think about your class in this way?
- What did you learn about your class or classmates that you didn’t know before?
Go Further
Children could write their own class recipe. What do they need to have for them to be successful and happy learners this year? What would be their five key ingredients? Can you write a recipe for a ‘Thriving School’
Disciplined: Crafting and Improving
Children work on developing their ideas from drama, to group work to finally working as a whole class. Children work collectively to improve and edit the final class poem
