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Grade one activities

I like myself - (Caring)

Purpose: To celebrate the best traits in themselves.

Materials: I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont, chart paper

Activity Description: Read the book to the class. Have them make up actions as you read it aloud. The students then become authors and fill in the blanks with their own suggestions. Re-read the story and make up actions with suggestions from the class. Practice and perform for another class.

Being ME!

Being ME is great!
Being ME is fun!
The best part of being ME is
I’m the only one!

I like my ______________ (nouns)
I like my ______________
I like my ______________
I like my ______________

I like me ______________ (verbs)
I like me ______________
I like me ______________
I like me ______________

Being ME is great!
Being ME is fun!
The best part of being ME is
I’m the only one!

Guiding Questions:

1.What do you like about yourself?

2.Why is it important to know the great things you can do?

3.What is one thing you think is great about your friend?

Positivity Tag - (Belonging)

Purpose: To be active and positive while playing tag.

Materials: A large open space where students can run about. 

Activity Description: A couple of students are “it” or “positivity patrollers”. Positivity patrollers hold a large ball like a beach ball to show they are ‘it”. When a student gets touched they become a “positivity patroller”, they receive the beach ball and shout out a positive word or phrase that is positive, such as “AWESOME”, “AMAZING”, “INCREDIBLE”, “FANTASTIC”, “TERRIFIC” this lets others know that you have been tagged and are now it.

Guiding Questions:

  1. What are some of the other words you could use in this game?
  2. How does it feel to hear those great words?
  3. How do using these words change the game of tag?

Where is Suzy? - (Able)

Purpose: To surprise students with positive recognition.

Materials: A few decorated clothespins

Activity Description: Introduce “Super Suzy” the clothespin. Explain that Suzy will be clipped on the student who demonstrates a strong work ethic, a student who makes healthy choices, a student who is kind (a new descriptor can be used each day).

Students pass Suzy along as the day goes on and clip her on the clothes of students they see doing super things.

Randomly throughout the day the teacher starts the song “Where oh where oh where is Suzy? Where oh where oh where is Suzy? Where could she be?” The student with Suzy raises his/her hand and then the student that gave Suzy to the students shares the great thing he or she did.  Repeat throughout the day!

Guiding Questions:

  1. What were some of the great things mentioned today?
  2. Were you able to see the good things people were doing?
  3. How can we make sure everyone has a chance to receive Suzy?

Stand up and be proud if… - (Belonging)

Purpose: To recognize groups of people for their healthy choices and good work.

Materials: Some descriptors that are pre written:

Stand up and be proud if:

You tried something new
You are a good friend
You did your best on your assignment
You helped a friend
You had four servings of vegetables
You helped your family eat healthier
You ran your best at a race

(Note: Students can also be prompted to be leaders and make up some Stand Up and be Proud if statements.)

Activity Description:  You can use this activity in the classroom, outside at recess or at an assembly. The teacher reads out the statements “Stand up and be proud if you tried something new today.” Students who tried something new stand up and receive a round of applause.  Repeat with subsequent statements.

You can change the way the students move.

  • Do five jumping jacks if you are a good friend
  • Hop like a frog if you ate four servings of vegetables
  • Run on the spot if you were kind to someone
  • Do the Cha Cha if you achieved a goal you set.

Guiding Questions:

  1. Why is it important to make healthy choices?
  2. What does being proud feel like?
  3. Did it feel nice to be recognized with others?  Why?

Folding the Tarp - (Able)

Purpose: To work together and include everyone to achieve a common goal.

Materials: A tarp or big sheet/blanket that students can stand on.

Activity Description: Start with the tarp unfolded and set the goal of having all the students place at least one foot on the tarp. Explain to the students they are to work together and respect each other and encourage each other throughout the game as the challenge becomes more difficult.  Once students are all on the tarp, congratulate them, have them step off the tarp, fold it in half and have students place one foot on the tarp again. Repeat the steps, making the space smaller each time.   The tarp gets smaller and smaller and the students have to work together to be creative and include everyone on the tarp.

Guiding Questions:

  1. What were the challenges in this game?
  2. Did you think it was possible to do before you tried it?  What about after?
  3. How did your actions add to the success of the activity?