Recess & Lunch: Level Up! Script

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about two of the best parts of our school day: recess and lunch! What are some of your favorite things to do or eat during these times?"

(Allow a few students to share. Acknowledge their responses.)

Teacher: "Those all sound like so much fun! Recess and lunch are great times to relax, play, and hang out with our friends. But sometimes, even during fun times, things can get a little tricky, right? Today, we're going to become 'Recess & Lunch Level-Up Experts!' We'll learn how to handle those tricky situations and make sure recess and lunch are awesome for everyone!"

Understanding Challenges & Positive Interactions (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Recess & Lunch: Level Up! Slide Deck - Slide 2: "Tricky Situations") "Take a look at this slide. Have you ever been in a situation like these? Maybe someone accidentally took your ball, or you wanted to play something different than your friends, or perhaps you heard something unkind?"

(Allow a few students to share brief, appropriate examples if they wish, or just a nod of understanding.)

Teacher: "It's totally normal for these things to happen. The great news is, we have the power to 'level up' these situations and make them better! What are some positive ways we can interact with our friends during these times? How can we show kindness, share, and make sure everyone feels included?"

(Guide the discussion, connecting to ideas on Recess & Lunch: Level Up! Slide Deck - Slide 3: "Power-Up Your Interactions!")

Teacher: "Fantastic ideas! Things like sharing, taking turns, inviting others to play, using kind words, and listening are like our 'power-ups' for positive interactions. When we use them, we help make our school a happier place."

Rules & Consequences Activity (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Recess & Lunch: Level Up! Slide Deck - Slide 4: "Rules Keep Us Safe & Happy!") "Now, let's talk about rules! Why do we have rules for recess and lunch? What's the point of them?"

(Listen for responses like safety, fairness, fun.)

Teacher: "Exactly! Rules are there to keep everyone safe, make sure everyone has a chance to play fairly, and ultimately, to make sure everyone has fun. What happens if someone doesn't follow a rule?"

(Discuss briefly the idea of consequences, not just as punishment, but as a result of actions.)

Teacher: (Transition to Recess & Lunch: Level Up! Slide Deck - Slide 5: "Scenario Challenge!") "Alright, Level-Up Experts! It's time for our scenario challenge. I'm going to give you some situations that might happen at recess or lunch. Your job, working in small groups/with your partner/as a class, is to figure out: What rule might be involved? What's the positive way to handle it? And what might be the consequence if it's not handled well? We'll be using our Recess & Lunch: Level Up! Activity for this."

(Distribute or display the Recess & Lunch: Level Up! Activity and explain how students will work through the scenarios. Circulate and assist as needed during the activity.)

Wrap-Up & Reflection (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's come back together! Who would like to share one of their scenarios and the 'level-up' solution they came up with?"

(Allow 2-3 groups/students to share.)

Teacher: (Transition to Recess & Lunch: Level Up! Slide Deck - Slide 6: "You've Leveled Up!") "You all did an amazing job! Remember, every single one of you has the power to make recess and lunch fantastic. Your choices matter, and by being kind, inclusive, and following our school rules, you help create a positive and safe school for everyone. Before we finish, what's one positive action you will try to take during the next recess or lunch to 'level up' the experience for yourself and others?"

(Allow a few students to share their commitments.)

Teacher: "Wonderful! Let's all work together to make our school an even better place. Great job today, Level-Up Experts!"

Recess & Lunch: Level Up! Activity

Instructions: Read each scenario below. Discuss with your group/partner:

• What is the challenging situation?
• What school rule might be involved?
• What is a positive way to solve this problem or interact with others?
• What might be a consequence if the problem isn't solved positively?

Scenario 1: The Crowded Slide

It's recess, and you really want to go down the big slide, but there are lots of kids waiting, and some are pushing to get ahead. You feel frustrated because it seems like no one is waiting their turn.

Discussion Points:

• Challenging situation:
  
  
  
• Rule involved:
  
  
  
• Positive solution:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Consequence of not solving positively:
  
  
  

Scenario 2: The Mysterious Lunch Tray

During lunch, you finish eating and go to throw away your tray. You see a friend leave their tray on the table and walk away. Other students are starting to leave their trays too.

Discussion Points:

• Challenging situation:
  
  
  
• Rule involved:
  
  
  
• Positive solution:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Consequence of not solving positively:
  
  
  

Scenario 3: The Exclusive Game

Some of your classmates are playing a game of tag on the playground, but they keep telling one student, "You can't play, you're not fast enough!" You see the student looking sad and walking away from the game.

Discussion Points:

• Challenging situation:
  
  
  
• Rule involved:
  
  
  
• Positive solution:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Consequence of not solving positively:
  
  
  

Scenario 4: The Loud Lunch Table

Your lunch table is getting very loud. Kids are shouting across the table, and some food is even being thrown around. It's hard to hear your own friends, and you worry a teacher might get upset.

Discussion Points:

• Challenging situation:
  
  
  
• Rule involved:
  
  
  
• Positive solution:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Consequence of not solving positively:
  
  
  

Recess & Lunch: Level Up! Cool Down

Instructions: Please answer the following questions to show what you learned today.

1. Name one challenging situation you might face during recess or lunch.
   
   
   

2. What is one positive way you can interact with a friend or solve a problem during recess or lunch?
   
   
   

3. Why are rules important at school, especially during recess and lunch?