Our Class Record Mural

After the relays, the class draws a chalk mural of the record we reached on the playground: each child draws what they did to help and explains it with one word. It practices cooling down, recognizing feelings from the game and valuing everyone's contribution.

How to play

1. Sitting around a big chalk circle, the teacher draws our record number or a picture of the challenge (the zoo, the farm, the puzzle) in the middle (1 min).
2. Each child picks a chalk and draws something they did in the game inside the circle: a beanbag, a jump, a high five (2 min).
3. Taking turns, anyone who wants says one word about how they felt: happy, tired, nervous, proud (1 min).
4. The teacher points to drawings by different kids and says out loud how each one helped reach the record (1 min).
5. Stand up, walk slowly around the mural looking at the drawings and say goodbye with soft applause (1 min).

Rules

• I draw in my own spot without erasing anyone else's.
• I listen when a friend is talking.
• Every word is okay.
• I take care of the chalk so others can use it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child draws on a board or paper on a table at their height, which then goes next to the ground mural.
• Autism: offer emotion face cards to point to instead of speaking.
• Hearing impairment: pair feeling words with their sign or gesture and a picture.

Learning goals

• Cool down after active play.
• Recognize and name feelings from the game.
• Value each person's part in the shared achievement.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Sidewalk chalk: 25

Teacher tip

If it rains, do it on butcher paper indoors. Sharing time can drag on, so keep it to one word per child, and anyone who doesn't want to talk can point to their drawing.

More activities like this

More cool-downs for Elementary