Settling In Together

Overview

This 120-minute lesson is designed for Year 1 pupils (age 5-6) to support their transition back to school over the first three days of term. It focuses on building relationships, fostering a positive classroom culture, and establishing classroom routines. It incorporates activities aligned with the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education statutory framework from the National Curriculum for England, supporting pupils’ social development, communication, and wellbeing.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of these sessions, pupils will be able to:

• PSHE: Work cooperatively with peers, recognising and expressing feelings appropriately (National Curriculum: PSHE Education, Core Theme: Health and Wellbeing, KS1).
• Communicate simple information about themselves and listen respectfully to others (English - spoken language, KS1).
• Follow class routines and understand basic rules for a respectful, happy classroom environment.
• Demonstrate self-regulation activities and brain breaks to support attention and mental wellbeing.

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Curriculum Links

• PSHE Education:
  • Core Theme: Health and Wellbeing
  • Key Stage 1
  • Pupils should learn to:
    • Recognise, name and describe feelings in themselves and others.
    • Understand that they belong to different groups and communities.
    • Respect others and the classroom environment.
• English:
  • Spoken Language KS1
  • Pupils should learn to:
    • Listen and respond appropriately to adults and peers.
    • Participate in conversations by listening and taking turns.
• Physical Development
  • Fine and gross motor activities incorporated through movement breaks.
• Behaviour for Learning: Establishing classroom expectations for collaborative and respectful behaviour.

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Lesson Structure (120 minutes total)

1. Welcome & Circle Time (20 minutes)

Purpose: Help pupils introduce themselves and start building a sense of belonging.

• Activity: "My Special Name"
  • Each child says their name and shares one thing they like (e.g., favourite toy, food, colour).
  • Teacher models first, promoting active listening and turn-taking.
  • Use a soft ball or “talking stick” to designate the speaker.
• Learning check: Can pupils listen patiently and respond? Are they beginning to engage with peers?
• Curriculum Link: Spoken Language, PSHE - expressing and recognising feelings.

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2. Creating Our Class Charter (30 minutes)

Purpose: Co-create simple class rules to promote respect and happiness.

• Activity:
  • Use a large poster titled “Our Happy Classroom” with images of smiling children, sun, and hearts.
  • Discuss what makes a classroom happy and safe (e.g., kind words, sharing, listening).
  • Record children’s ideas as simple rules with visuals: “We listen,” “We share,” “We are kind.”
  • Display the poster at child height for daily reinforcement.
• Learning check: Are children contributing ideas? Do they understand why class rules matter?
• Curriculum Link: PSHE – understanding belonging, respect, and making safe choices.

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3. Brain Break & Movement (10 minutes)

Purpose: Re-energise pupils with a physical activity to help focus.

• Activity: "Shake It Out"
  • Musical movement game: Pupils shake hands, wiggle fingers, stomp feet lightly to music.
  • Teacher calls out different body parts to move.
  • End with deep breathing to calm.
• Curriculum Link: Physical development, supporting self-regulation.

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4. All About Me Collage (35 minutes)

Purpose: Encourage pupils to explore self-identity and share visually.

• Activity:
  • Give each pupil a pre-cut silhouette paper of a child.
  • Provide magazines, crayons, stickers to decorate the figure with things that represent themselves (e.g., favourite colour, hobby, family).
  • Children present their figure to a small group or the class (with adult support).
• Learning check: Can pupils share about themselves and show respect for peers’ presentations?
• Curriculum Link: PSHE - identity awareness; English - speaking skills.

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5. Storytime and Reflection (15 minutes)

Purpose: Reinforce messages about friendship and kindness.

• Activity:
  • Read a picture book focused on friendship and kindness (e.g., “The Colour Monster” or “Sharing a Shell”).
  • Discuss the feelings and actions of characters.
  • Invite pupils to share one kind thing they will do.
• Learning check: Are pupils able to identify feelings and positive behaviours?
• Curriculum Link: PSHE - recognising feelings; English - listening comprehension.

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6. Movement Brain Break & Goodbye Song (10 minutes)

Purpose: Finish with a fun, energising activity to associate school with positive emotions.

• Activity:
  • “Freeze Dance” – pupils dance freely when music plays, freeze when it stops.
  • Follow with a simple goodbye song including name and “See you tomorrow!” to reinforce community feeling.
• Curriculum Link: Physical development and social bonding.

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Resources Required

• Soft ball or ‘talking stick’
• Large poster paper & markers for class charter
• Silhouettes paper cutouts
• Magazines, crayons, stickers, glue sticks
• Picture book on friendship/kindness
• Music player for movement breaks

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Assessment & Reflection

• Observe pupils’ participation in discussions and turn-taking to assess listening and speaking skills.
• Note engagement in class charter formation as indicator of understanding respect and collaborative behaviour.
• Review “All About Me” collages and sharing to assess social and emotional development.
• Teacher reflection after each day to tweak activities to meet pupils’ needs.

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Differentiation Recommendations

• Use visual aids, modelling and sentence starters to support pupils with speech or language difficulties.
• For less confident pupils, allow sharing in pairs before whole class.
• Incorporate a calming corner with sensory tools for children needing emotional regulation support.

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By the end of these sessions, children should feel welcomed, valued, and ready to embrace their Year 1 learning journey with enthusiasm and confidence — building the foundation for a respectful and happy classroom community.