KEY INFORMATION

Recommended age group: 7–11
Time required: one 45–60 minute session
Equipment: activity guides, cones and bibs.


ACTIVITY IDEA

These activities can be run with large or small groups. Lions and Zebras needs a minimum of 4 players (1 lion and 3 zebras).

Definitions

Fair Play

  • Playing according to the rules and not having an unfair advantage. Being just, reasonable, treating everybody equally. (Oxford School Dictionary)

Part 1

  1. Start this active session by getting pupils engaged in a game of Who Will Be My Teammate? (see activity guide below). Ensure that all pupils are taking part in the activity and understand the rules.
  2. Once you have completed the game, gather the group around to discuss the meaning of fair play. Use the following questions about the warm up game and/or pupils’ favourite playground game to help structure the discussion:
    • What are the rules of the game?
    • What happens if we all followed the rules?
    • What happens if we didn’t follow the rules?
  3. Relate these answers back to fair play, discussing what the term means to pupils. Provide and provide a clear definition of fair play. Write your definition on the board/a piece of paper, to display through the lesson.

Part 2

  1. Use the game of Lions and Zebra’s (see activity guide and rules cards below) to expand upon your definition, demonstrating the meaning of fair play and how it can impact on a game or play. The aim of the activity is to reiterate the importance of fair play and how it can ensure a game is both fun and follows the spirit of sport.
  2. Split the group into lions and zebras. Depending on your class size have at least 2–6 lions per game. The rest are then zebras. Follow the lion and zebra activity guide to play the activity.
  3. For those that are unable/do not wish to participate ask them to take on the role of Assistant Umpire to help ensure fair play is rewarded in the game. Provide these pupils with the Fair Play Assistant Umpire activity sheet to complete during the game.
  4. Once you are confident the group have understood the impact of fair play, use the Fair Play or Not Fair Play activity guide to run a session cool down.
  5. After reading the Fair Play or Not Fair Play statements, summarise what the group have learnt. Return to your definition of fair play and ask pupils to add examples of fair play and summarise why fair play is important. Add their suggestions around your definition. 

Key learnings

Fair Play can refer specifically to upholding the rules of the sport, and more generally to displaying a commitment to honest, equal and fair treatment of others. Following the principles of fair play when playing sport or games creates a friendly and honest atmosphere in which everyone can compete on an equal playing field, helping everyone to enjoy taking part.

EXTENSION

  • Working with a parent/guardian as appropriate to help reinforce their learning, pupils complete the Fair Play Picture Poster activity sheet.
  • Each pupil should identify four examples of fair play. Two from home and two at school.
  • Once they have identified their examples, pupils draw a picture that represents each of those examples. Underneath the image pupils write a few sentences to describe the example and how it shows fair play. If appropriate, pupils may wish to split their poster with their parent/guardian, each creating two images.
  • Ask pupils to share their completed posters with the class. Display the posters in class/around the school to share pupils’ positive examples of fair play.