Gildy's Morning

This is Gildy.

Gildy is 7 years old. He lives in Epsom which is a town in Surrey near London and goes to St Martin's Cof E Voluntary Aided School. Gildy is in the same situation as lots of other children all over the country at the moment. He is having to attend online lessons and some days Gildy finds it very difficult to feel motivated and focused.

Gildy finds numeracy a challenge and doesn't always like asking for help to solve problems. However, Gildy can be clever, Gildy is kind, he loves to play outside and be part of stories, and likes his friends and family to be happy.

Gildy's family are all trying to get on with each other in this strange situation of lockdown. Gildy's dad is working from home and his mum is a key worker at Epsom Hospital. She is out every day and very tired when she's home. Gildy has a younger brother, Tully who loves to play games.

LET'S START!

To start, play the video below!

Watch and listen carefully.

How do you think Gildy is feeling this morning?

What do you think Gildy means when he says, 'The world goes round but I stay still?'

Gildy has numeracy to do but he has a lot going on in his head and can't focus on it. He can feel himself getting into more and more of a bad mood and he's thinking of what he could do next.

WHAT ARE GILDY's CHOICES?

Take a look at the choices below.

On a sheet of paper that you can cut up write A, B, and C nice and big. Cut them out so you have three pieces of paper, each with a letter on.

Now find a cup or hat.

This is going to be Gildy's mind!

You could even write a label for it and stick 'Gildy's Mind' on the cup to remind you not to pour lemonade into it.

So. CHOICES! What will Gildy do next?

In his mind he has created three choices. He could....

THINKING TIME!

On a sheet of paper draw three columns

for A, B and C.

Let's get thinking.

What are the pros and cons of each choice?

It may seem like one choice is the worst or the best but each choice has its pros and cons.

Try and think of as many as possible for each choice and write them down in the right columns.

If Gildy goes out and builds a snowbird, for example, he will have fun doing that but what won't

happen in this scenario?

If he gets an activity out of his good mood bag like some drawing or a puzzle, that could help him feel better but he might get distracted.

If he completes his numeracy in the mood that he is in, it will be done, but have you ever done a task in a bad mood? What could happen?

Get thinking and put your thoughts down into the columns because the more information you have on each choice, the better!

Turn your paper over for the next part!

YOU CAN WIN THE CHANCE TO VOTE OFF (if you're working in a group) OR DECIDE TO ELIMINATE THE LEAST HELPFUL CHOICE THAT GILDY COULD MAKE BY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE CHALLENGE BELOW....

CHALLENGE part one!

Write down this numeracy problem and solve it!

(12 x 3) - 18 =

CHALLENGE part two!

Now I challenge you to jump the same amount of star-jumps as the answer.

How did you get on?

Did you win the chance to vote?

IF YES, VOTE NOW AND ELIMINATE

ONE OF THE CHOICES. FOLD UP THE REMAINING CHOICES AND PUT THEM INTO THE CUP.

IF YOU DIDN'T WIN THE CHANCE TO VOTE, PUT ALL THREE CHOICES INTO THE HAT FOR GILDY TO DECIDE!

Close your eyes, give the choices a swish in the cup and pick one out.

Which choice does Gildy make?