The School of Play Curriculum
Special Education
Week 11 blends quick-choice movement, number-powered fitness, and everyday wellbeing habits. You’ll kick off with Colour Corners, a lively warm-up that has students recognising colours, making simple choices, and moving safely to corners (or showing cards from their seats). Then shift to Colour Match Fitness, where card colours cue movements and card numbers drive repetitions, an easy way to sneak in counting, coordination, and group cheering. Both activities are non-eliminating, scale beautifully for whole classes, and are fully adaptable with visual prompts, clear pathways, and upper-body alternatives for wheelchair users.
The SEL focus comes through Positive Self-Talk, a short write/draw-and-say routine that helps students craft three personal affirmations and practise using them when tasks feel tricky, accepting words, pictures, gestures, or AAC. Round out the week by launching Gratitude Lock Up. In this simple weekly ritual, students add one thankful note to a class jar, building a portfolio of positive memories to revisit later in the term. Educators can expect low-preparation materials (cones/cards/jars), plenty of peer encouragement, and steady progress in decision-making, number fluency, confidence, language, and classroom belonging, all within a safe, inclusive, and joyful environment.
Weekly Lessons
Colour Corners
Colour Corners is a bright, energetic movement game that helps students practise colour recognition, decision-making, and following simple instructions in a fun, low-pressure way. Students listen for a colour or look at a visual cue and move to the matching corner of the room, turning the whole space into a playful world of choices, movement, and social engagement. Each round is quick, clear, and highly repeatable, keeping learners motivated and giving them plenty of opportunities to succeed. The activity naturally builds confidence as students make independent choices, match colours, and move safely with their peers.
The game also strengthens social interaction and cooperative play, as students travel together, notice who chose the same colour, and celebrate shared movement experiences. Simple variations like hopping, crawling, tiptoeing, or choosing colours based on preferences add flexibility and excitement for different learning levels. Fully inclusive and adaptable for wheelchair users and students with diverse communication needs, Colour Corners supports verbal, non-verbal, and gesture-based responses, ensuring every learner can participate with joy, autonomy, and success.
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
Positive Self-Talk
Positive Self-Talk is a gentle, confidence-building activity designed to help students learn how powerful their own words can be. Through simple affirmations, pictures, gestures, or AAC-supported responses, students practise saying kind, strong, and encouraging words to themselves, just like a supportive friend would. The activity is flexible for all learners: students can choose, copy, draw, point to, or verbalise positive words that help them feel brave, calm, proud, or ready to try again. It nurtures emotional resilience by giving students a practical tool they can use whenever something feels challenging, overwhelming, or new.
The game builds a strong foundation for confidence across all developmental levels. Younger or emerging learners (A–D) may focus on selecting three positive words and practising them with actions like superhero poses or smiles, while older students (F–3) can write full affirmations, decorate their cards, and discuss how positive words change how they feel. The activity can be done individually, with partners, or as a whole class, and easily expands into displays such as a Positive Self-Talk Wall. Fully inclusive and accessible, Positive Self-Talk ensures that every student, verbal, non-verbal, mobile, or using assistive technology, can participate meaningfully and proudly. It is a warm, empowering activity that strengthens self-belief, emotional safety, and daily resilience for all learners.
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
Colour Match Fitness
Colour Match Fitness is a playful movement game designed for learners across Levels A–D and F–3, combining colour recognition, number awareness, and joyful physical activity. Students flip cards, identify colours, and complete simple movements that match what they see, helping them build confidence with instructions, counting, and coordinated movement. Because the activity is hands-on, predictable, and supported by clear visuals, it allows every student to participate at their own level, whether they show their understanding through movement, pointing, choosing, or assisted participation. The game celebrates effort rather than accuracy, making it a safe, positive way for students to explore fitness, numeracy, and shared play.
As students match red and black cards to specific movements and use the number on each card to guide repetitions, they practise decision-making, teamwork, and turn-taking in a highly supportive environment. Adaptations for wheelchair users and diverse learners, such as upper-body alternatives, visual cue cards, and paired participation, ensure full inclusion. Whether played in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class, Colour Match Fitness strengthens number recognition, boosts physical engagement, and nurtures social connection. Every movement becomes a moment to celebrate persistence, participation, and confidence for all learners from Levels A–D to F–3.
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
Gratitude Lock Up
Gratitude Lock Up is a calm, meaningful weekly routine designed to help learners across Levels A–D and F–3 recognise and remember the positive moments in their lives. Each week, students write or draw one thing they are grateful for and place it into a shared class jar or their own personal envelope. Over time, these small reflections build into a powerful collection of happy memories, helping students develop emotional awareness, appreciation, and a growing habit of noticing the good around them.
The activity creates opportunities for students to connect with their peers as they contribute to the Gratitude Lock Up and later celebrate the notes together at the end of the term or year. Whether learners share aloud or simply enjoy listening, the experience fosters belonging, kindness, and a sense of pride in the positive moments they’ve captured. With its simple structure, flexible options, and strong emotional impact, Gratitude Lock Up becomes a treasured classroom ritual that strengthens well-being and community week after week.
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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