Game

It's Complimentary

Play a tag game to practice giving compliments that recognize strengths in others.

Children giving compliments to one another

Key Message

Giving and receiving compliments help us to be mindful and show gratitude.

 

Objectives

  1. Identify compliments as a way to be mindful of others.
  2. Demonstrate giving and receiving sincere compliments.
  3. Apply a variety of motor skills and movement patterns to game play.

Preparation

  • Safety: Allow enough space to move freely and minimize collisions. Determine boundaries that are a safe distance from obstacles and walls.
  • Ensure equipment and materials are properly cleaned. 
  • Determine how you will group learners, using best practice guidelines from the Teacher's Guide.
  • Determine locomotor movements for game play.
  • Be prepared to demonstrate fitBoost activity and fitFlow yoga.

Warm Up

Begin with a fitBoost.

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Captivate

Say: We are going to play a game of "Mingle" to help us learn about compliments. (Refer to the It's Complimentary printable for guidance and practice on giving sincere compliment.)

  1. I will play music, and you are to move around without bumping into one another. When you are close to another person, look them in the eye, smile, and say, "hello."

  2. When the music stops, find someone near you and point your feet toe-to-toe. Partners greet one another. They may say  "Hello _____ "(person's name), then high-five hand slap, elbow bump, or fist bump. You may opt for touchless greetings such as a wave, smile, wink, head nod, or foot tap.

  3. One partner (designate which one, such as the partner whose birthday is closest, or pick a color) gives the other a kind compliment starting with “I like the way you _____,” or “I think you are really good at _____,” or "You are _____(a fun person to hang out with, kind to other people, a good leader, etc.)  Encourage compliments that are not based upon appearance.

  4. The partner receiving the compliment looks at the person, smiles, and says, “Thank you.”

  5. Each time the music starts, mingle and find a new partner to compliment. (Repeat as time allows, then have partners sit as you transition to the Educate section.)

Educate

A compliment is when you congratulate or praise someone. Compliments are always kind. The best compliments are sincere, meaning that they are honest and true, not false. Giving and receiving compliments creates positive feelings—for yourself and others. Some compliment starters include:

  • I like the way you...
  • I think you are good at...
  • You are a great...
  • You are amazing at...
  • I like how you...
  • Thank you for...
  • You were a good friend when you...
  • It was nice of you to...
  • I noticed you worked really hard at...
  • You showed kindness when you...

The most important thing to know is that giving and receiving sincere compliments will motivate your mood!

Today we are going to play a game called “Compliment Tag” to practice giving and receiving compliments.

Activate

Activity area set up for Compliment Tag game

  1. The goal of this game is for a player to compliment someone at least once as they move from one side of the play area to the other. More than one compliment is even better!

  2. Choose 4 to 6 volunteers to be taggers. Note that more taggers are necessary than in most tag games to facilitate giving and receiving compliments.

  3. Taggers stand in the middle of the play area holding a pool noodle for tagging. Remind taggers of safety practices: look ahead while moving, tag gently, tag below the neck, and be careful not to run into "frozen" players.

  4. Players stand at the start line and attempt to cross to the other side without being tagged.

  5. If tagged, the player must freeze with their arms and legs wide (like a star) until a nearby player stops to give them a compliment. Before the tagged player can move, they must look at the player giving the compliment, give them a high-five or elbow bump, and say, “Thank you!” Note: the person giving the compliment cannot be tagged while giving the compliment.

  6. Once you have explained how to play the game, practice compliment phrases. Encourage kids to think beyond appearance and give compliments such as:
  • I like the way you...
  • I think you are good at...
  • You are a great...
  • You are amazing at...
  • I like how you...
  • Thank you for...
  • You were a good friend when you...
  • It was nice of you to...
  • I noticed you worked really hard at...
  • You showed kindness when you...
  1.  Encourage learners to compliment a different classmate each time. 

  2. To begin play, announce a teacher-selected movement for players as they move across one side of the activity area to the other.

  3. When players reach the opposite side of the play area, they go down the sideline and return to start. They may go fast or slow (teacher's choice!), as long as they keep moving forward.

  4. After 1 to 3 minutes of play, assign new taggers and movements.

Close the Lesson

  1. Partner learners.

  2. Select a fitFlow card and work in partners to complete the poses.

  3. While the learners are stretching talk about compliments:
  • How did it feel to give a compliment?
  • How did it feel to receive a compliment?

  1. Assess understanding with the following questions:

    Q: What was our lesson about today?
    A: Giving and receiving compliments.

    Q: What makes a compliment sincere?
    A: Sincere compliments are kind, honest, and true, not false.

    Q: How do you give a compliment?
    A: Look at the person, tell them something kind, honest, and true.

    Q: How do you receive a compliment?
    A: Look at the person. Smile and say, “Thank you.” You can always return a compliment!

  2. Use the Assessment Rubric (see Teacher's Guide) as a checklist to assess understanding, skill development, and personal responsibility.

Note: In addition to giving complements, kids can practice additional acts of kindness with the Pot of Gold activity.

Challenge

Share an example of a compliment you can give another person.

Health Education Standards

  • Standard 1: Core concepts-Promoting mental and emotional health
  • Standard 3: Access information
  • Standard 4: Interpersonal communication
  • Standard 5: Decision-making
  • Standard 7: Practice health-enhancing behaviors
  • Standard 8: Advocate for health

Social and Emotional Learning Competencies

  • Responsible decision-making
  • Self-awareness
  • Social awareness
  • Relationship skills

Physical Education Standards

  • Standard 1: Motor skills and movement patterns
  • Standard 2: Movement and performance skills and tactics
  • Standard 3: Health-enhancing physical fitness
  • Standard 4: Responsible personal and social behavior

Extend the Lesson

Adaptations and Modifications   

 

Take me to the full list of fitGames.

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