Emotions Snakes and Ladders

Lesson Context: So here all the lessons learnt are to be played out in this game. Does the student take
the step and be lead by an unhelpful emotion and end up down the snake or do they have mind over
mood and go up the ladder. Scenario: my brother is bothering me so I will punch him goes down the
ladder but my brother is bothering me but I am looking forward to going away for the weekend with
family, so instead I will walk away and calm down by doing something else goes up the ladder. Dont
worry if the student does not always come up with the right answer, this exercise is about them being
aware of their thoughts, feeling and actions and using the problem solving skills. Its thinking it through
and reflection that is important here.
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Learning Objectives

For students to play snakes and ladders with an emotional learning twist.
For students to continue to develop and reinforce skills in the positive way to deal with problems.
For students to reflect on their experiences.

Starting Point
Try not to think of a pink elephant.
Ask the class to close their eyes and try really hard not to think of a pink elephant. They must try really hard not
to think about pink elephants and should push any images of pink elephants out of their mind. Ask the class what
happened. Most of them will have noticed that all they can think about is pink elephants!! Explain to the class
that this demonstrates that trying to get rid of thoughts by pushing them out of your mind usually results n them
hanging round more persistently. Trying too hard to not do, feel or think specific things can bring about what you
most fear and wish to avoid- for example- trying hard not to make a fool of yourself in social situations may make
you appear aloof and uninterested.

Teaching Activity
Creating scenarios and introducing the game
Hand out the blank scenario cards printed onto card and cut up. and ask students to write down a problem on the
scenario card. This will form an essential part of the snakes and ladders game (some example ones have been done for
you- if the group is really struggling take the existing scenario cards from the Y5 scheme of work). Each group of players
will need at least 20 scenario cards.
Hand out one copy to each table of the snakes and ladders sheet printed in colour on A3. Also hand out a dice and
counters for the number of players.
Explain to the class the rules of the game. This is basically snakes and ladders with a twist. Basically if they land on a
yellow square they have an option of going up the ladder or down the snake. In order to work out whether they get to go
up a ladder or down a snake they need to take a scenario card from the pile they came up (you may want to swap cards
between groups). They should read out the scenario to the group and then tell the group what they think is the best way
to deal with the situation. The group then decides whether they think that was a positive (a ladder) or negative (snake)
way to deal with the situation and vote accordingly. The student will then move their counter dependent on the
decision. Please remind students this is a game but it is NOT ACCEPTABLE to say SNAKE all the time to enhance own
chances of winning. Anyone who does this will be disqualified- students should be honest in their answers and the
teacher will support and oversee to ensure this is happening.

Snakes and Ladders

Students to play this snakes and ladders game.

Plenary
What have we learnt?
Once students have finished their games pull the group back together and ask them to
discuss the following questions:
Was it always easy to come up with a ladder solution?
What do they think they learnt from the game?
Did they enjoy the game?
Homework: Can they think of any other ways to develop a game that can help young people
deal with their problems?

AliceHoyle

Resources
Counters
Die
Printed snakes and ladders and
blank scenario cards.

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AliceHoyle

Scenario Card

Scenario Card

Eg. Your parents wont let you go

out and play football as you havent
done your homework.

AliceHoyle

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AliceHoyle

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AliceHoyle