Play Nice at Recess

James Williams

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Play Nice at Recess

Students will learn and practice sharing, communication, and cooperation strategies to resolve conflicts and foster positive interactions during recess through role-plays and a token reward game.

Helping 2nd graders build foundational social-emotional skills at recess promotes inclusion, reduces conflicts, and creates a fun, supportive playground environment where everyone feels welcome.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Interactive role-plays and token rewards

Materials

Play Nice Slide Deck, Recess Scenario Cards, and Tokens or Small Counters

Prep

Gather Materials & Review

10 minutes

Print and cut out the Recess Scenario Cards.
Load the Play Nice Slide Deck on your classroom display.
Gather 20–30 tokens or small counters for the reward game.
Review the slide deck and scenario cards to familiarize yourself with each activity.

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Slide 1: Welcome students and introduce today’s goal—having fun and being kind at recess.
Slide 2: Ask: "What makes recess fun?" Record student responses.
Slide 3: Briefly explain the three key strategies: sharing, communicating, cooperating.

Step 2

Scenario Practice

8 minutes

Divide students into pairs and give each pair 1–2 Recess Scenario Cards.
Slide 4: Model how to read and role-play a scenario using the strategies.
Students take turns reading their card, discussing how they’d respond, and role-playing the solution.
Circulate to prompt use of sharing language ("May I try?"), cooperation steps ("Let’s take turns."), and calm communication.

Step 3

Token Reward Game

5 minutes

Explain that students earn tokens when they see classmates using today’s strategies at recess.
Demonstrate: give a token when a student shares equipment or helps another friend.
Slide 5: Show examples of positive behaviors that earn tokens.
Encourage students to watch for each other and award tokens during the school day.

Step 4

Debrief & Reflect

2 minutes

Slide 6: Ask students to share one strategy they’ll use tomorrow at recess.
Reinforce that any time they use sharing, communication, or cooperation, they’re helping everyone have more fun.
Collect tokens and celebrate their efforts!

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Slide Deck

Play Nice at Recess

Welcome! Today our goal is to have fun and be kind at recess.

Welcome students! Say: “Today we’re going to learn how to have fun and be kind at recess. When we use sharing, communication, and cooperation, everyone can enjoy playtime together.”

What Makes Recess Fun?

• Running and games
• Playing with friends
• Sharing equipment
• Talking and laughing

What else makes recess fun?

Ask: “What makes recess fun?” Invite 3–4 students to share. Write responses on chart paper or whiteboard. Emphasize words like running, playing games, sharing.

Three Key Strategies

Sharing
• Let others have a turn

Communicating
• Use kind words and listen

Cooperating
• Work together as a team

Introduce each strategy with a quick example. Ask students to give an example of sharing, communicating, and cooperating at recess.

Practice with Scenarios

In pairs:

Grab your Recess Scenario Card
Discuss how you’d respond
Role-play your solution using our strategies

Model with a volunteer: pick up a sample scenario card, read it aloud, and demonstrate how to use sharing/communication/cooperation to solve it. Then say: “Now it’s your turn!” and direct students into pairs.

Token Reward Game

Earn a token when you see classmates:
• Sharing equipment
• Using kind words
• Working together

Let’s help each other collect tokens!

Explain token game: “Whenever you see someone sharing, communicating kindly, or cooperating, you can earn a token!” Show slide examples. Set expectation that teacher will award tokens during recess.

Reflect & Share

Which strategy will you use tomorrow at recess?

Turn and tell a friend, then share with the class!

Wrap up by asking: “Which strategy will you use tomorrow at recess?” Invite a few students to share. Celebrate their ideas and remind them tokens can be earned all week.