The School of Play Curriculum
Special Education
Week 8 opens with Rock, Paper, Scissors, a fast, friendly warm-up that spotlights turn-taking, clear rules, and graceful winning/losing. Students pair up, chant together, and celebrate quick results; whole-body versions and large cards keep it accessible, while rotating partners builds new peer connections. You’ll then shift into Kindness Starts with Me, where learners choose one kind act for today and record how it might make someone else feel (and how it makes them feel, too). Expect simple, heartfelt sharing via drawing, words, pointing, or AAC, and an easy class “Kindness Wall” to keep prosocial habits visible.
Balloon Keep-Up is a joyful teamwork challenge that grows counting, coordination, and persistence. Add extra balloons for shared problem-solving and adjust the height/speed so everyone can participate. You’ll close with 5 Senses of Gratitude, a calm, creative reflection where students trace a hand, add one loved thing for each sense, and share a favourite moment in the palm, perfect for building sensory language and everyday gratitude. Educators can expect minimal setup (paper, pencils, balloons, optional cards), flexible seated/standing play, and embedded wheelchair-friendly options throughout. Look for growth in fair play and resilience, kindness, language and intent, cooperative movement and encouragement, and rich, sensory-based gratitude, setting a warm finish to the week.
Weekly Lessons
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Rock, Paper, Scissors is a simple, fast, and joy-filled partner game designed to help students practise turn-taking, build social confidence, and strengthen peer relationships in a fun and familiar way. With just three easy hand signals, students learn to follow rules, handle winning and losing, and celebrate each other through positive, playful interaction. Developed for Levels A & D and Levels F–3, the activity supports social skills, emotional development, and cooperative play. The structure is predictable and accessible, allowing every student to participate through hand signals, cards, whole-body gestures, or adapted AAC options.
Students rotate partners often, ensuring they connect with a variety of classmates, build trust, and enjoy repeated success. The game can be played seated, standing, in pairs, teams, tournaments, or even as a whole-class challenge. After watching the short demonstration video, choose the appropriate level for your group and download the full printable version. A simple, universally loved game that builds confidence, connection, resilience, and fun, one throw at a time.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs or those who utilise an AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
Kindness Starts with Me
Kindness Starts with Me is a calm, reflective, and heart-warming activity that helps students understand what kindness looks like, sounds like, and feels like. Through simple drawing, writing, or sharing, students explore ways they can be kind to others and recognise the positive impact kindness has on themselves and the people around them. Developed for Levels A & D and Levels F–3, this activity supports emotional awareness, empathy, and social connection in a gentle, accessible format. Students identify a kind action they can take today, imagine how that action will make someone else feel, and reflect on the feelings kindness creates in their own lives.
The activity can be completed individually, with a partner, in small groups, or as part of a whole-class discussion. It works beautifully as a morning check-in, reset activity, or end-of-day reflection. After watching the short demonstration video, choose the appropriate level for your students and download the full printable version. A simple activity with a powerful message, kindness starts small, grows quickly, and begins with me.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs or those who utilise an AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
Balloon Keep-Up
Balloon Keep-Up is one of the simplest, happiest, and most engaging energisers for learners of all ages. With nothing more than a balloon, students work together to keep it off the ground, building coordination, teamwork, communication, and pure joyful energy in just a few minutes. Designed for Levels A & D and Levels F–3, this activity supports gross motor skill development, group collaboration, and persistence. Students count aloud as they keep the balloon in the air, celebrate every attempt, and learn that success comes from working together rather than individual skill.
The game can be played with one balloon for beginners or multiple balloons to increase challenge and excitement. It works beautifully indoors or outdoors and instantly builds connection within any group. After watching the short demonstration video, choose the appropriate level for your students and download the full printable version. A guaranteed crowd favourite, simple, active, inclusive, and full of laughter every single time.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs or those who utilise an AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
5 Senses of Gratitude
5 Senses of Gratitude is a beautiful reflective activity that helps students slow down, notice the world around them, and express appreciation through their senses, what they see, touch, hear, smell, and taste. By turning their handprint into a personalised gratitude map, students learn to recognise the small moments that bring joy into their everyday lives.
Designed for Levels A & D and Levels F–3, this activity blends creativity, emotional awareness, and mindfulness. Students trace their hand, label each finger with one of the five senses, and draw or write something they love for each one. In the centre of the hand, they add a favourite moment or someone they love sharing these experiences with. It’s a calming, expressive activity that strengthens gratitude, imagination, and self-awareness, all while giving students a colourful keepsake they can proudly display. After exploring the demonstration video, choose your students’ level and download the full printable booklet. A meaningful, creative activity that builds gratitude, connection, and joy, one handprint at a time.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs or those who utilise an AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
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