The children of St Michaels have been engaging with their online learning, showing resilience at a very challenging time. We recognise that the increased screen time required for remote learning can have a big impact on students’ physical and mental wellbeing.
Even though the very nature of remote learning requires the use of screens, we have incorporated into our school schedule a well-being Wednesday which is focused on the children doing an activity they enjoy to support their mental well-being. As well as this we are hosting a ‘No Screens Day’ on Friday 12th February.
On this day we are encouraging the children to spend a day away from their screens, no Class Dojo, no online lessons – can we go as far as to say, no games consoles, mobile phones or television – for the duration of the school day at least. The children of key workers who will be attending school will also have a No Screens Day.
On this day, as we are encouraging activities away from the screen, why not choose from the suggestions below, all contributed by the adults of St Michael’s.
Writing activities
- What would happen if for one night your toy came alive while you were asleep?
- What would it do?
- Where would it go?
- Write a short story about its adventures.
- Why do you want to go there?
- Do the 3 places have anything in common?
Who is your hero? Can you write a letter to one of your heroes? Maybe to a NHS worker, or a police officer? Someone who is helping keep us safe during this difficult time.
Think about including trampolines, waterfalls, slides, elevators, hanging vines, ball pits. Have fun using your imagination!
Word and Alphabet Games
How many words can you think of that have 3 letters? 4 letters? 5 letters? How far can you go with this?
List the alphabet from A-Z. Can you think of these things that begin with each letter?
- boys name
- girls name
- country or city
- animal
- food
baking and making
Make a sandwich, cake or your favourite delicious healthy meal or snack. Write up ingredients and the recipe on how to make it using time connectives.
Make up a dance routine to your favourite track and showcase to your family!
Can you create a colour wheel using items you find in nature. Please remember to be safe and observe social distancing when you are searching.
Memory games
Select some small household objects. Look at them for a minute or so. Ask an adult to cover them up and take away one of the objects. Which object is missing? Then turn the tables and test your grown-up!
Other games
How many different games can you play with a pack of cards?
Go Fish is a card game where 5 cards are dealt to each player (a group of 2, 3 or 4 people). The remaining cards are messed up, face down between the players. Players hold their cards so they are able to see them, but no one else can.
Before starting the game, all of the players put any pairs they happen to have in their hand down and earn a point for each pair.
Starting with the youngest player and moving clockwise, the player asks one of their opponents “Do you have a ____” The card requested should be one the player has in their hand.
If the opponent has the card, they must give it to the player who earns a point for making a match. If the opponent does not have the card they say “Go Fish!”
The player must then pick a single card from the messed up, face down pile of cards. If they make a pair, they place it down and earn a point.
If a player runs out of cards, they pick five from the messed up pile.
The game is won one of three ways (depending on how you wish to play):
- by the person with the most points when all the cards are gone, or
- by the person who gets 10 points first, or
- by the person with the most points at the end of a set time limit
Here is a St Michael’s expert demonstrating this. I need some more practise!
drawing activities
You can share with your teachers what you get up to on No Screens Day, but remember – you cannot upload until the day is over! Please share your activities via ClassDojos or on schoolmail@stmichaels.lewisham.sch.uk