Imaginative Play
Grades 6-8
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
Create Your World
Age Group
Ages 12-14
Session Intention
Children improvise scenarios using cards, dice, and minimal props.
Materials Needed
• Smart Sticks - India (1)
• Smart Sticks - Scavenger (1)
• Rolling Tales (2)
• Why Connect (2)
• Hand Puppets sets (1)
• Finger Puppets Family (1)
• Doctor set (2)
• Fruits and vegetables (2)
• Kitchen Set (2)
Classroom Arrangement
1. Form groups of 4-6 from nearby benches.
2. Each group gets: 3 Rolling Tales dice, 3-4 random Smart Sticks, 3-4 random Why Connect cards, and 1 prop (doctors set, puppets etc.)
3. Groups work at benches or space between the benches.
4. They can perform their skits in front of the class.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
EP-UP: Story Chain (3-4 min)
1. Say one line. Eg: Once there was a school next to a river.
2. Ask a student to add one more line to build a story.
3. Continue to all the students one by one.
NORMS (30 seconds):
1. Share the cards and dice.
2. Take turns.
3. Respect each other's ideas.
4. Look after the materials.
More Pep-up Options
2/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Play Time (~25-28 minutes)
GETTING GROUPS STARTED:
1. Give each group 3 Rolling Tales dice, 3-4 random Smart Sticks, 3-4 random Why Connect cards, and 1 prop (doctors set, puppets etc.)
2. Ask them to use the dice, sticks and why connect cards to come up with a random story and use the props to create a skit with the story. Explain how to use each material if needed
HOW TO USE THE MATERIALS:
- ROLLING TALES: Roll the dice. The images you land on MUST appear in your story.
- SMART STICKS INDIA: The information on the stick is your setting or a character.
- SMART STICKS SCAVENGER: Find or mime that object in your skit.
- WHY CONNECT: Images on the cards must be in your story.
3. Tell them that each person in their group will play a character in the story.
4. Remind them to do their best acting.
5. Tell the groups they have 10 minutes to come up with the story and then perform the skit for the whole class.
YOUR ROLE DURING PLAY:
1. Watch each group for a couple of minutes. Do not interrupt the discussion.
2. Call out time remaining.
3. After 10 minutes, invite the group that is ready to come in the front and act out their skit
4. Encourage children to speak in character rather than narrate.
5. Appreciate all groups.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. Group debating instead of acting - Remind them of the time and ask them to begin acting.
2. Scene becomes chaotic - pause 30 seconds and resume.
3. A student disengages - give them the role of narrator who summarises the action aloud.
What You May Notice
1. Older children can engage with complex moral and social situations through play.
2. Improv can surface real feelings and opinions. Keep it clearly framed as play.
3. Some students resist acting. Frame it like a challenge to get them to act.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Each group shares one highlight from their story in 30 seconds.
2. Pack up cards, dice, and props.
3. Ask - What surprised you about your story today?
Try Next Time
1. Let children create their own scenario and give them to other groups.
2. Ask children to run the scenario without any prompts from the facilitator.
3. Try a scenario directly relevant to their own school or community life.