End-of-term activities for primary school teachers

Lyfta
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Excitement levels are building in the run-up to the Christmas break and it can be hard to keep students focused. We’ve come up with some end-of-term activities that will keep them engaged and inspired as the festive break approaches.

A virtual visit to a theatre, a waste-free Christmas plan, a game of Globingo, a charity collection and some international exploring. Here are six fun and impactful end-of-term activities for primary schools to make the last few lessons ones to remember. All the ideas can be adapted for different age ranges.
Storyworld Home wasn't built in a day
Storyworld Home wasn't built in a day

1. Find out what happens backstage at the Finnish Opera house in a Lyfta live lesson

The show must go on! Take your children on a trip to the theatre this Christmas with our Lyfta live lesson. In these live lessons (taking place on 14th and 15th December) students will take a trip to the Finnish Opera House and explore the main stage, the backstage area, the orchestra pit, the workshops and the dance studios.
Secrets of the Opera is a series of eight storyworlds that share stories from the Finnish Opera and Ballet.
By exploring interactive 360° spaces, children can visit different parts of the theatre and meet the extraordinary people who work there. This is an excellent way for children to feel the excitement of a theatre trip without leaving the classroom.

2. Don't make a waste of Christmas

Rob creating artwork in storyworld Beachcomber
Rob creating artwork in storyworld Beachcomber
We all love the festive season, but this year ask children to pause and think about how much extra waste is produced at this time; decorations, wrapping paper and crackers. Ask them to think of ways that they can reduce their waste.
What could they do any wrapping paper, cracker toys and party items? What changes could they make to generate less waste?
This brings up the important topic of sustainability at school. If you're not yet subscribed to Lyfta, you can access our Beachcomber storyworld for free when you create a Lyfta starter account.
Beachcomber tells the story of Rob, an activist and artist from Cornwall who creates artwork from the plastic and waste he finds on the beach.
He uses his artwork to raise awareness about plastic pollution to inspire people to think about littering and the choices they make as consumers.
Children can watch this and be inspired to think of things to do with their Christmas waste. Perhaps, like Rob, they could create some art, maybe some cards and decorations.
Instant free access to this storyworld is available when you sign up for a Lyfta Starter account. Register here, it takes less than a minute and no credit card is required.

3. Play Globingo

The Globingo sheet
The Globingo sheet
This is a fun getting-to-know-you game that helps children understand our global connections and interconnectedness. Also known as 'Find someone who' this game is a great way for children to explore some of the ways in which we are connected to people all over the world without even realising it!
For example, children will ask their classmates questions such as 'Who has a relative living in another country?', 'Who can speak two or more languages?' Once they have completed all the questions they can shout 'Globingo!'
Download the Globingo sheet here and get started.

4. Explore celebrations and festivals around the world

Hanukkah
Hanukkah
Christmas isn't the only celebration taking place this December. Ask students to research and explore the many festivals and celebrations around the world.
Diwali is as important to many Hindus, Sikhs and Jains as Christmas is to many Christians. Hanukkah or Chanukah, the eight-day Jewish holiday begins this year at sundown on Sunday 18 December and ends at nightfall on Monday 26 December.
Ask children to research the different celebrations and what happens during the festivities. They could look at Eid and Chinese New Year as well as Christmas.
How do they differ, what is the same?
Read our faith blogs on Diwali and Hanukkah.

5 Charity begins at school

The festive season is a time to think about those less well-off than us and it's important to remind students of this. Christmas will be an expensive and difficult time for many families this year.
Ask children to think about how they might be able to help those in need. Perhaps they could do some research into local children's charities.
They could organise a collection and bring in unwanted toys or clothes for donation.
Ask them to think about how the holidays might be for those who are hard up and unable to spend a lot on gifts and food.
Showing compassion for others can have a very positive effect on mental health and it's an important thing for children to learn, especially at this time of year.
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"Empathy is a quality of character that can change the world."

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BARACK OBAMA

6 Christmas around the world

Every country celebrates Christmas differently.
In the UK many children hang stockings but in France, children put out polished shoes in front of the chimney. In Italy, gifts are exchanged on the 6 January, the day of Epiphany and in Germany, the Christmas tree is only usually put up on Christmas eve. In Australia, it's traditional to go to the beach on Christmas day.
Invite children to do some research into different countries and how they each celebrate.
What's the most interesting or strangest tradition the children can find out?
Lyfta users could use the Lyfta globe to select countries and then research how Christmas is celebrated there.
You could also add a bit of maths into the activity and ask children to work out which country wakes up first on Christmas day and which will be celebrating it last.

"Feliz Navidad"

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SPANISH

"Merry Christmas"

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ENGLISH

"Joyeux Noël"

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FRENCH

"聖誕快樂"

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MANDARIN

"Buon Natale"

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ITALIAN

"メリー クリスマス"

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JAPANESE
Character & Values
Cultural Capital
Social Emotional Learning
Sustainability & Global Citizenship
DEIB
Diversity Equity Inclusion
Belonging