A handy activity for the start of the year, presenting pupils with the opportunity to explore their reasons for coming to school. Some short case studies of athletes who have used their platform to affect social change is followed by a discussion and reflective activity for the class to complete.

This is a whole day of Encanto learning, with 6 curricular areas being covered. Literacy: I would envision having learners use garageband to record their own podcast but you could even have them do so with the audio recorder that comes as standard on iPads. Alternatively, they could simply record a short interview or promotional video discussing the importance of representation. Maths: volume of cuboids and cubes (following a concrete, pictorial, abstract approach) Art: Origami butterfly and discussion of the symbolism Science: I would look to draw on an interactive whiteboard with the simulation however pupils could observe and jot on their own whiteboards or even create models with playdough? The dancing raisin experiment DOES NOT replicate the water cycle but it does show gases and liquids interacting and CAN be illuminating to understanding evaporation. Dance: Bachata isn’t originally a Colombian dance (it’s Dominican) but it is popular in the region and some of the dances in the movie use steps and elements from the genre.

These slides follow the TEAR framework as advocated by Action Jackson. The idea being that your Thoughts can change your Emotions and ultimately your Actions - which will always end with a Result. This framework is a really useful structure for children to reflect upon when things go wrong (and when they go right too). I find myself talking with children about the emotion part - once they feel an emotion such as anger or frustration, what strategies do they have to try and take a moment, can we work together to find a strategy that might work etc

Some reflective activities for your class to return to throughout the term as a means of stimulating conversation around feelings and their learning journey.