The School of Play Curriculum
Special Education
Week 4 blends big smiles, safe movement, and rich self-expression. You’ll kick off with Happy Face, Mean Face, a short, laughter-first warm-up that builds emotional recognition and simple coordination through quick “show & move” rounds in pairs or small groups. Clear modelling and visual face cards keep the rules predictable, while wheelchair-friendly swaps (claps, taps, gentle turns, air high-fives) are baked in so every student can join confidently. What Animal Would You Be? channels energy into imaginative role-play, students copy animal movements/sounds (or seated gestures and vocal effects), practise turn-taking, and enjoy safe, scalable movement that suits both Levels A–D and F–3.
You’ll then pivot to reflective, confidence-building SEL. Superpower Strengths invites each learner to identify a personal strength and turn it into a superhero design, culminating in a celebratory “Superpower Wall” that lifts belonging and positive identity. Gratitude Cards links simple card prompts to people, places, things, and experiences students appreciate; responses can be spoken, drawn, acted, pointed to, or shared via AAC. Educators can expect minimal setup, multiple response modes, and non-eliminating play across all four activities. Look for growth in emotional vocabulary and recognition, motor coordination, imaginative communication, strong language, gratitude habits, and warm peer interactions, setting a bright platform for Week 5.
Weekly Lessons
Happy Face, Mean Face
Happy Face, Mean Face is a playful, high-energy game that helps students explore emotions through simple facial expressions and fun movements. Partners count down together and reveal either a happy face or a mean/angry face, then celebrate with claps, high fives, stomps, or silly actions depending on whether they match. It’s quick, light-hearted, and the perfect way to start a session with laughter, confidence, and connection. The game builds emotional awareness as students practise copying and recognising facial expressions, while also boosting coordination through gentle movements like clapping, stomping, turning, or stretching. Because every round is short and filled with positive reactions, students stay fully engaged, supported, and excited to play again.
Designed for early learners in Levels A–D and easily adapted for Levels F–3, this activity is flexible and fully inclusive. Students can express emotions through faces, sounds, gestures, or adapted movements, ensuring that everyone can participate comfortably and proudly. It works beautifully in pairs or small groups and requires no equipment, just imagination and a playful spirit. After watching the short demonstration video, choose the version below that suits your learners and download the full printable. Big faces, big fun, Happy Face, Mean Face builds confidence, emotional awareness, and joyful connection in every round.
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
Superpower Strengths
Superpower Strengths is a joyful, creative activity that helps students recognise what makes them special and celebrate the strengths they bring to their classroom community. Students choose one thing they are good at, kindness, helping, listening, creativity, running, sharing, anything, and transform it into their very own superhero power. Through drawing, symbols, movement, or simple words, they create a “superhero version” of themselves and proudly share it with others. The activity encourages students to name their strengths, express them in fun and imaginative ways, and celebrate the unique talents of their peers. Every superhero drawing becomes part of a shared display, building confidence, belonging, and a positive sense of identity. It also helps students understand that strengths can be used not just for themselves, but to help and lift others.
Perfect for early learners in Levels A & D and wonderfully extendable for Levels F–3, Superpower Strengths is flexible, expressive, and highly inclusive. Students can draw, point to strength cards, decorate templates, or use gestures and AAC devices, every form of expression is valid and celebrated. After watching the short demonstration video, simply choose the version below that matches your learners and download the full printable. A playful celebration of uniqueness, Superpower Strengths helps every child see the hero within themselves.
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
What Animal Would You Be?
What Animal Would You Be? is a playful movement-and-imagination activity where students pretend to be different animals using sounds, gestures, and safe movements. As the teacher calls out each animal, students bring it to life, wiggling like worms, hopping like kangaroos, roaring like lions, or crawling like bears. It’s fun, creative, and a wonderful way to build coordination, confidence, and expressive skills. Students explore a range of animals, copy simple actions, and use their imaginations to act them out in their own way. The activity finishes with a short reflection where students share which animal they enjoyed most and why. This builds communication, self-expression, and social connection, all while keeping the group active and engaged.
Designed for early learners in Levels A–D and easily extended for Levels F–3, the game is fully inclusive and can be adapted for wheelchair users or students with diverse movement needs through gestures, sounds, storytelling, or visuals. It works beautifully in open spaces, classrooms, or calm corners, anywhere students are ready for a little animal adventure. After watching the short demonstration video, simply choose the version below that suits your learners and download the full printable. A joyful blend of imagination, movement, and expression, What Animal Would You Be? turns the classroom into a playful animal kingdom.
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 Cards
Gratitude Cards is a simple, meaningful activity that helps students recognise the people, places, things, and experiences that make their lives special. Using a deck of playing cards, students draw a card and respond to a prompt, sharing something or someone they feel grateful for. Whether they express their gratitude through words, drawings, actions, or gestures, every response becomes a chance to build positivity, confidence, and connection. The activity encourages students to slow down, think about what makes them happy, and celebrate the small and big moments in their day. As classmates listen, clap, cheer, and share similar ideas, the classroom fills with warmth and togetherness. Gratitude Cards also helps students understand that everyone’s experiences are different, and that gratitude can look unique for each person.
Designed for early learners in Levels A & D and extendable for Levels F–3, the game is flexible, inclusive, and accessible for all communication styles. Students can respond by speaking, pointing, drawing, using AAC devices, acting out their ideas, or choosing visuals, every method is equally valued and celebrated. After watching the short demonstration video, simply choose the version below that suits your learners and download the full printable. Simple prompts, big smiles, and Gratitude Cards bring joy, reflection, and connection to every classroom.
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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