Building Classroom Connections

Curriculum Area: PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)

Level: KS2 – Year 6

Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Feel more comfortable with their peers and teacher.
• Develop communication and active listening skills.
• Share personal information in a fun and engaging way.
• Work collaboratively in small and large groups.

Lesson Duration: 45 Minutes

Resources Needed

• A ball (soft or foam)
• A4 paper and coloured pencils/pens
• Sticky notes
• A large jar or container
• Printed "Two Truths and a Wish" template (optional)

Lesson Structure

Introduction (5 Minutes) – Welcome Circle

1. Gather students in a circle.
2. Introduce yourself briefly, sharing an interesting fact about yourself.
3. Pass a soft ball around; when a student catches it, they must share their name and one thing they enjoy.
4. Emphasise the importance of listening by encouraging students to recall someone else’s fact at the end.

Main Activity 1 (15 Minutes) – 'Two Truths and a Wish'

1. Explain the game: each student writes down two true facts about themselves and one thing they wish were true. (E.g., "I have a pet snake. I have flown in a helicopter. I wish I could breathe underwater.")
2. In small groups of four, students read aloud their statements, and peers guess which is the wish.
3. After five minutes, bring the class back together to share some of the most surprising or funny wishes.

Main Activity 2 (15 Minutes) – 'The Mystery Jar'

1. Provide each student with a sticky note.
2. Ask them to write an interesting, fun, or unusual fact about themselves (e.g., "I once met a famous footballer" or "I can do a cartwheel with one hand").
3. Collect the notes in a large jar and mix them up.
4. Read out each fact anonymously. The class will guess who wrote it.
5. Encourage discussion and laughter, reinforcing classroom camaraderie.

Conclusion (10 Minutes) – Classmate Bingo

1. Hand out a Bingo-style sheet with facts like:
   • "Has the same favourite colour as me."
   • "Has been to another country."
   • "Loves reading books."
2. Students walk around and find classmates who fit the descriptions, writing their names in the boxes.
3. Celebrate small wins when students complete rows or columns, reinforcing connections.

Assessment for Learning (AfL) Strategies

• Informal observations: Gauge student confidence and engagement.
• Questioning: Encourage students to recall facts about one another.
• Reflection: Ask students to share one interesting thing they learned about a classmate.

Differentiation

• Support: Pair quieter students with a supportive classmate to encourage participation.
• Challenge: Encourage confident students to ask follow-up questions during ‘The Mystery Jar’ activity.

Plenary (Final Reflection)

1. Ask students: “What surprised you the most about today’s activities?”
2. Preview future lessons, emphasising an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

This lesson ensures students feel valued and connected while developing key PSHE skills. It’s practical, engaging, and sets a positive foundation for the year ahead! 🚀