Social Studies · Primary 1

Active learning ideas

Social Inclusion and Exclusion

Young children learn best when they can see, feel, and try out ideas in real time. Acting out scenarios, sharing stories, and working with objects make abstract concepts like inclusion and exclusion tangible and memorable for Primary 1 students.

• MOE Syllabus Outcomes
• MOE: Social Justice and Equity - MS

• 20–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 30 min · Pairs

Role-Play: Playground Choices

Divide class into pairs to act out two scenarios: one where a child excludes a peer from a game, another where they invite them in. Switch roles after 3 minutes and discuss feelings afterward. End with groups sharing one strategy to include others.

Have you ever felt left out? How did it feel?

Facilitation Tip

During the Role-Play, give students specific gentle phrases to use when inviting others to join, such as 'Come play with us!' or 'Your idea is good too!'

What to look for

Give students a drawing of two scenarios: one where a child is playing happily with others, and one where a child is alone. Ask students to write one sentence about how the child in the second picture might feel and one thing a friend could do to make them feel included.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 25 min · Whole Class

Circle Share: Feeling Welcome

Form a whole-class circle. Each student shares a time they felt left out and one way to make others feel welcome. Pass a talking stick to ensure everyone speaks. Chart responses on a class poster for reference.

What can you do to make sure everyone feels welcome in your group?

Facilitation Tip

In the Circle Share, use a talking object to ensure each child speaks without interruption and feels heard by their peers.

What to look for

Show a picture of children playing together. Ask: 'What makes you think everyone in this picture feels included? What could happen if one child was not invited to play? How can we make sure everyone feels welcome during our class activities?'

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 35 min · Small Groups

Group Build: Inclusive Towers

In small groups, provide blocks and challenge students to build the tallest tower, but only by including every member's idea. Rotate roles like idea-sharer and builder. Debrief on how inclusion affected success.

Why is it important to include everyone when playing or working together?

Facilitation Tip

For the Group Build, assign roles like 'builder,' 'designer,' and 'welcomer' to make inclusion part of the task itself.

What to look for

During a cooperative game, observe students. Note down specific instances where a child actively invites another to join or shares a resource. Ask students: 'What did you do to help include [student's name]?'

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 04

• Role Play
• 20 min · Pairs

Pair Draw: Emotions Match

Pairs draw faces showing 'left out' and 'included' feelings, then match drawings to stories read aloud. Swap drawings with another pair to guess emotions and suggest fixes. Display for class gallery walk.

Have you ever felt left out? How did it feel?

What to look for

Give students a drawing of two scenarios: one where a child is playing happily with others, and one where a child is alone. Ask students to write one sentence about how the child in the second picture might feel and one thing a friend could do to make them feel included.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach this topic by making inclusion observable and repeatable. Start with clear, simple examples students experience daily, like passing a ball or sharing glue. Model inclusive language yourself and guide students to notice how small actions change feelings. Avoid abstract lectures; instead, use activities that let students practice and reflect immediately.

Students will demonstrate understanding by recognizing exclusion in action, suggesting kind ways to include others, and choosing inclusive behaviors during play. They will express empathy through words and actions, showing they value belonging for everyone.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the Role-Play: Playground Choices, watch for students who think exclusion only happens with words like teasing or pushing.

  During the Role-Play, pause after each scenario and ask, 'What did you see that might have made someone feel left out, even if no one said anything unkind?'. Encourage students to name subtle actions like turning away or not sharing materials, and practice including others with a simple 'Want to help us build?'.

• During the Circle Share: Feeling Welcome, watch for students who believe popular children never feel left out.

  During the Circle Share, ask each child to share a time they felt included and a time they felt left out, reminding students that everyone experiences both. Use the talking object to ensure all voices are heard, including those who may feel shy or unsure.

• During the Group Build: Inclusive Towers, watch for students who think inclusion means giving in to everyone else's wants.

  During the Group Build, remind students that inclusion means listening and taking turns. Ask, 'How can we use everyone’s idea but still build a strong tower?' Guide students to compromise by combining small parts of different ideas, showing that inclusion strengthens the group.

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Methods used in this brief

• Role Play