Embracing Trends and Using Them to Your Advantage
Last week I bought a Pop it, which is predicted to be one of the most sought after gifts this Christmas. Its simply a sheet of silicone rubber that imitates bubble wrap. I often see these toys in the classroom and nurture group wellbeing baskets. Many of you may know that fidget
toys were originally developed for children with learning and attention difficulties. Pop Its are a trend or a craze. I created a “Craze of the Week” in my Positive Playtime Masterclasses.
You see, children love new, bright shiny toys and games, from fidget spinners, Pop Its, card swapping, marbles, elastics to yo-yos and clapping games. However, these crazes have a shelf life, meaning they last for a period of time and then another game or toy will come along to replace it. Toys such as Pop Its will be cast aside and possibly put in the bin.
I see schools invest lots of money on buying a variety of equipment for lunchtime and play times just to see it frequently get lost, stolen or broken, ending up on roofs or in neighbourhood gardens! Instead of rushing out and buying lots of equipment this term, I’m going to share with you how to create your Craze of the Week and like Pop Its, make it fun and exciting.
What is Craze of the Week?
The craze of the week is a successful lunchtime strategy because children love learning new crazes. I usually suggest
schools have one ‘Craze’ per week and six ‘Craze’ boxes in total. These are changed on a weekly basis and rotated on a 6-week cycle.
7 Steps to Creating your Craze of the Week
Step 1
Do an audit of all your playground equipment and find out how many skipping ropes, hula hoops, bats and balls you have.
Step 2
Explain to the children how the Craze of the Week will work. Ask the children and school council about the equipment they would like for their crazes.
Step 3
Choose and purchase enough equipment for each Craze. Crazes can be things such as skipping ropes, French skipping ropes, bean bags, plastic stilts, whoppers, ankle skips, shuttle ball, hula hoops, Lolo balls, cat’s cradle – any item that will hold the attention of your students. You will need roughly 10 to 15 of each, depending on the size of your school.
Step 4
Create playground craze activity boxes by placing that week’s items inside. I always use storage containers from Edventure or Bishop Sports.
Step 5
Create a “craze of the week” notice that is alternated each week by labelling it, “Our Craze of the Week is ……….”
Step 6
Every week on Monday morning, introduce the craze of the week in assembly by your Playground PALS. The PALS demonstrate how to use the equipment, introduce games and rhymes that go with the equipment. For instance, with skipping ropes, they may sing a rhyme and show the children the skipping actions. They may also talk about how to use the equipment safely, care for it and how to return it
to the boxes.
In every craze box is a menu of how many pieces of equipment there are, how to use the equipment and if appropriate, there may be ten games they can play, such as “10 Skipping Games,” taken from 101 Playground Games.
Step 7
Email teachers, TA’s, and Lunchtime Supervisors each Monday to inform them of the Craze of the Week so that they can promote it with the children.
What Schools say About Craze of the Week
At Kimpton, Thruxton and Fyfield C of E Primary School, Pam Simpson, the Head Teacher, and Jane Rimmingtom, who line manages Lunchtime Supervisors, transformed their playground after working with me. They said, “We have now put together ‘Craze Boxes’ which come out at lunchtime on a weekly basis with a different box every week. Playground PALS are in charge of the Craze Boxes and teach others how to use the equipment in it. Boxes have titles such as: Time Trials, Music, or Balancing Skills. The playground and field are now dissected into zones – Quiet Zone, Parachute Games, Craze Box, Games Area, Free Play and so on. I have to say that it has transformed lunchtimes
with the benefits of more structured and cohesive play, and the children and Lunchtime Supervisors are a much happier bunch!”
At Harrowgate Hill, in Darlington, they are also doing an awesome job with their Craze of the Week. Karen Howells, the senior Midday Supervisor, has been organising it. They say, “Our playtimes have vastly improved. Behaviour incidents have massively reduced, as have playtime accidents. Communication is excellent, and staff are working together as a team. The Positive Playtime Programme has
been transformative.”
In a survey of schools that improved their grounds, 73 percent reported that behaviour had improved, 64 percent
claimed reduced bullying and 84 percent observed improved social interaction. So, if you’re currently struggling with your lunchtimes and playtimes, start your Craze of the Week. It will be the first step to creating happier playtimes.