Recess activities against bullying (Finland) activity #3

In our school we have special activities for recesses. Our aim is to decrease bullying during the school day. In the wintertime the pupils are not outdoors that much but when it’s warmer all the following activities are possible. The warmer the weather the more pupils are participating and spending time outdoors. Many pupils really enjoy playing various outdoor games during their 30-minute recesses. These activities also help them to concentrate during the lessons since they’ve had the chance to do sports, run and be energetic.

The recess area consists of the courtyard, football field next to the school, front yard and the nearby "Girls’ park”. In the courtyard there is a badminton net and a possibility to play other outdoor games (playing e.g. volleyball has happened). In the “Girls’ park” there is a basketball field and a smaller football field. Our recesses are 30 minutes long, which makes doing sports a lot easier since pupils don’t run out of time as easily.

There are some staff members whose work is to guide pupils’ social skills and for example to take care of pupils’ recess activities. The education counsellor - kasvatusohjaaja - of our school is in charge of these activities.

Basketball in the gym

This was our most popular activity during the winter. Most of our ninth-grade boys participated every recess they had. Education counsellor trainee took charge of this and it was huge success. This was the first time in our school when recess basketball was organized continuously. During high-school matriculation exams the gym was closed and the pupils were very disappointed to hear that.

Table tennis tournament

Education counsellor trainee organized also table tennis tournament. Tennis table was located in the hallway and even though only two people can play it at the same time there is always a big crowd watching the game. Not all the players took part in the tournament but if they wanted they could compete against each other. Sometimes tournaments and games have lasted long after the school day is over and otherwise empty hallways are echoing because of cries of victory. Table tennis has been popular amongst every middle-school grade but very few girls have found it.

Football in the fields

Several seventh-grade boys spent many recesses even during the winter in the “Girls’ park” playing football. Similar group of ninth-grade boys enjoyed the same sport in the football field next to the school. Many of these boys play football weekly in a team. Unfortunately grade groups haven’t mixed nor have there been many girls playing football.

Disc golf in the courtyard

The school has some frisbees and also a disc golf basket. Few pupils’ spend some time there playing or practicing. However - once again - all the pupils enjoying this sport have been boys.

Badminton in the courtyard

The only recess sport that is more popular amongst girls is badminton. Since the field is in the courtyard outdoors wind causes some problems every now and then. Usually the pupils’ don’t mind it that much because they’re playing just for fun not to win. There have been also some high-school students playing badminton with middle-school pupils which we’ve found extremely nice. The older and younger pupils have had a very good time together even though they’re not always that into sports.

Tic-Tac-Toe (Finland) activity #2

Author: Laura T.

School, country: Helsingin Uusi yhteiskoulu, Finland

Level: 13-18

Subject: Languages

Title of the activity: Tic-Tac-Toe (grammar, vocabulary etc.)

Justification and description of the activity:

Building vocabulary is an essential part of language learning, but sometimes it is difficult to inspire students to learn vocabulary. Tic-Tac-Toe is a fun way to review vocabulary (or e.g. grammar forms). This game is great for differentiation since it allows students to work on their own level: advanced students can choose more difficult words or phrases and weaker students can focus on the basic vocabulary. If the game is played with the whole class, students learn to work together as a team to achieve a common goal while having fun at the same time.

How to play:

1. Students draw a 3x3 grid (or teacher can provide them with a ready-made grid to save time).  
2. Students work in pairs and fill in the grid with words from a word list. Depending on their skill level they can either write the words in their first language or target language (or even use longer phrases instead of single words).  
3. Students take turns choosing squares and then try to translate the chosen word / phrase. If correct, the student places the appropriate letter (X or O) in the square. If incorrect, the square stays as it is. The goal is to score 3 in a row -  horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
4. After the game, students can continue to work with the vocabulary. They can, for example, write a story using the words from the grid. Or just simple sentences, depending again on the level of their language skills. Writing a story requires students to process the vocabulary words on a more creative and higher cognitive level.

Sessions: 10-15 min

Grouping: pair, small group, large group, whole class

Resources: a vocabulary list, pen and paper

Recommendations of the authors for putting it into practice:

This game can also be played with the whole class so that the teacher fills in the words and acts as ‘a judge’. The game can be modified so that instead of just translating the words students use them in a sentence or conjugate verbs etc. This game can be played with words, grammar forms (e.g. present tense into past tense), adjectives, biology terms, math problems and  basically anything you can think of. The only restriction is your imagination.

Trip to the cinema (Poland)

Justification and description of the activity: Our students will watch a psychological film (it’s up to you: e.x cyberviolence). The goal is to introduce them to the subjects they are interested in and give them many unforgettable experiences that affect them every day. After the film there will be a discussion with a specialist who will encourage students to think about the subjects and to raise their awareness of other people’s matters and problems.

Sequence of activities: a discussion about the film subjects before the show, watching the film at the cinema, a discussion after watching the film, writing a short film review ( group work)

Products / instruments de evaluation: film reviews, drawing some conclusions by students from the discussion and thinking about their own behaviour, questionnaires,  selfcontrol

Sessions: meetings as part of every week sessions of Erasmus team, discussions during general education classes with teachers.

Grouping:  3- 4 students in each groups

Resources: students know the problem of violence and aggression, they can discuss about it and draw the conclusions.

Spaces / Contexts: the show at the cinema, meeting with a specialist

Recommendations of the authors for putting it into practice: to talk about the aggression and violence before the show and during the general education classes very seriously, to encourage tutors of every classes to prepare some activities for their general education lessons and do them with their students, to encourage students to think their behavior through and draw some conclusions. 

"Labels" - Greece, activity 2

 

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