Year 3 – 4 | SunSmart Role Play

Protecting My Skin full resource download  |  Concept 5: Taking positive action to reduce risk: Promoting and actioning effective sun protection strategies download

Background

In this lesson, students exercise their critical thinking and problem-solving skills when given common SunSmart
scenarios that relate to real-life events or experiences at school or at home. Through role play, students are given the
challenge to turn events around and make them more positive. It also raises the issue of peer pressure and how this can
impact our decision making. It aims to provide the appropriate language and actions to communicate feelings in these
different situations.

Key messages

• Best sun protection practices are using a combination of Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.
• Slip on a sun protective clothing: long sleeves, long shorts, collar or high neckline, close weave fabric and loose fitting.
• Slop on some sunscreen: SPF50 or SPF50+ broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB), water-resistant with a valid expiry date.
• Apply 1 teaspoon per limb, apply to lean, dry skin 20 mins before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours or more if
  sweating, towel drying or swimming.
• Slap on a hat: a broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire style hat that covers the face, neck, ears and head. Caps are not
  SunSmart.
• Seek shade: make use of natural or built shade whenever possible. Bring your own portable shade such as umbrellas,
  tents or marquees.
• Slide on some sunglasses: close fitting, wrap around styles offer the best protection. Hats also provide protection to the
  eyes.

Resources

• Resource sheet: SunSmart Role Play Scenarios
• Props such as a broad-brimmed hat or cap to assist with role play

Instructions

1. Display or distribute SunSmart role play scenarios. Ask the first four key questions.
2. Discuss times when students have been in tricky or uncomfortable peer pressure situations. How did they feel? What did
   they do? Who helped them?
3. Ask students to form small groups and allocate or randomly choose a scenario for each group.
4. Each group practises role playing their scenario before presenting to the class.
5. At the end of each scenario, ask key questions for discussion and reflection.

Key questions

• When is it sometimes difficult to be SunSmart?
• What things help or encourage you to be SunSmart?
• What things stop or discourage you from being SunSmart?
• Why are these situations so difficult?
• What could you do to make these situations less difficult in the future?
• What is happening in this situation?
• Are there any problems or conflicts?
• What choices does the person have?
• How can they stay SunSmart and still be friends?

Variation

• Students role play their scenario again, but this time they try to turn it into a positive outcome for everyone.