Friendship Through Activity

Lesson Overview

Students will engage in partner and small group activities that encourage cooperation and interaction, helping them build friendships through active play. They will reflect on how playing with others makes them feel supported and part of a team.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand how being active with others helps build friendships.
• Work cooperatively in partner and group activities.
• Recognise feelings associated with making and supporting friends.

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Australian Curriculum Links

• Foundation Health and Physical Education
  • ACPPS001: Participate in play and movement experiences with others.
  • ACPPS002: Explore how being active helps them connect with others and build relationships.
  • ACPPS005: Demonstrate ways to interact positively with others in play and movement situations.
  • ACPPS006: Recognise and describe how they feel when playing with others and having fun.

Reference: Foundation content descriptions aligned with Year Foundation HPE strand on interacting with others through movement and building relationships through activity.

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Success Criteria

• I can take turns and share in group activities.
• I can use kind words and encouragement when playing with friends.
• I can tell how playing together makes me feel happy or included.
• I can support my friends by helping them in activities.

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Lesson Duration

45 minutes — designed for a class of 10 students.

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Lesson Structure & Activities

1. Welcome & Circle Time Discussion (7 minutes)

• Teacher greets students and gathers them in a circle.
• Introduce the WALT and explain the importance of playing and being active together to build friendships.
• Use simple language supported by pictures or emojis representing feelings: happy, excited, safe, included.
• Ask students: "How do you feel when you play with your friends?"
• Use visuals and allow students to respond verbally or by pointing to feelings charts, supporting EAL/D learners.

2. Warm-up Movement Game: “Find a Friend” (8 minutes)

• Each student walks or skips in the play area. On a signal, they find a friend to pair with.
• Practice simple partner movement: clapping hands, gentle high fives, side stepping together.
• Teacher models turn-taking and cooperation.
• Students repeat activity twice, changing partners each time.
• For student with ADHD: provide a designated movement spot near the teacher as a calming place if needed.

3. Group Cooperative Games (20 minutes)

Split class into two groups of 5, rotate through the following two activities:

Activity A: "Pass the Beanbag"

• Students stand in a circle passing a beanbag gently around as music plays.
• When music stops, student holding the beanbag says "Friend" or "Friendship".
• Teacher models kind phrases: “Good job!”, “Well done, friend!”
• Emphasise teamwork and encouragement.

Activity B: "Buddy Balance"

• In pairs or small groups (3), students try simple balance poses together (standing foot-to-foot, gentle lean on each other).
• Teacher demonstrates and monitors safety.
• Compliment effort and cooperative behaviour.

4. Reflect and Share Circle (8 minutes)

• Bring students back to the circle. Use pictorial prompts to discuss:
  • What did you like about playing with friends?
  • How did you help your friends today?
  • How did it feel when your friend helped you?
• Encourage EAL/D students to use gestures, single words, or paired talk before whole-class share.
• Recognise and praise every student’s effort.

5. Cool Down & Calm Breathing (2 minutes)

• Guide students in simple breathing or stretching exercises to calm down.
• End with a “friendship cheer” — everyone claps hands once and says “Friends!”

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Differentiation Strategies

Learner Type	Strategies
EAL/D Learners	Use visuals, gestures, model language, allow non-verbal responses, scaffold vocabulary.
Students with Low Literacy	Use simple words, support with pictures, encourage demonstration over verbal.
Students with High Literacy	Encourage leadership in group activities, ask to assist peers or explain rules.
Student with ADHD	Provide frequent praise, allow movement breaks, offer a quiet spot for calming if overwhelmed.
Indigenous Students	Incorporate Indigenous greetings or partner/group games familiar to local Indigenous culture.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Create a “Friendship Poster” illustrating ways to be a good friend, using drawings or digital art.
• Lead a small group game, helping classmates follow rules and encouraging cooperation.
• Share a short story or experience about a time when being active together helped build a friendship.

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Resources Required

• Beanbags or soft balls
• Large open play area
• Visual aids with emotion faces and cooperation concepts
• Simple musical instrument or music player for game signals

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Teacher Notes

• Monitor interactions closely to support the student with social emotional and ADHD needs.
• Use positive reinforcement to encourage kind behaviour.
• Simplify language and instructions as needed for comprehension.
• Emphasise the value of everyone's effort, not just winning or performing skills.

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This plan aligns with the Australian Curriculum Foundation Health and Physical Education emphasis on participating actively and positively with peers, supporting social and emotional wellbeing through cooperative movement activities.