The School of Play Curriculum
Special Education
Week 14 strings circle-rhythm, wellbeing planning, high-energy grouping, and kindness reflection. Open with Pass the Clap: model eye contact, single clap, “send” it around the circle; once it returns, speed up, add patterns (double clap, clap-tap, reverse, two claps racing in opposite directions), and keep it inclusive by allowing taps on lap/armrest/table. Shift into What Makes Me Feel Good? (write/draw) Students list 3 feel-good activities, add a short “why,” then pick one to schedule for this week. Optional: share with a class on the Feel-Good Wall. Turn the energy back up with Lumps: students move on your cue (walk/skip/tiptoe/roll), you call a number, they quickly form that-sized group; anyone left completes a fun mini-challenge (3–5 star jumps, count back from 10, share a joke) and rejoins, non-elimination, lots of mixing for new partners. Close with Kindness Memory Match: flip two card pairs of kindness prompts; when a match is found, the player answers before keeping the pair, then finish with a short class reflection on “what we learned about kindness today.”
Preparation stays light (open space, paper/pencils, a simple deck of kindness prompt pairs, or the PDF cards). Accessibility remains front and centre: mirror any adapted actions (taps instead of claps), offer upper-body and seated movement options, keep pathways wide, use visuals/AAC, and gesture cues, allow extra processing time, and pair buddies; invite eye-level greetings and group formations that include everyone. Expect steady gains in attention and turn-taking, rhythm and collective focus, self-awareness and healthy habit planning, quick listening and cooperative grouping, as well as richer empathy language, delivered with laughter, choice, and inclusive participation.
Weekly Lessons
Pass the Clap
Pass the Clap is a simple, joyful group-connection game designed to build turn-taking, focus, and shared rhythm for learners across Levels A–D and F–3. Students sit or stand in a circle and work together to send a single clap around the group, using eye contact and timing to help it move smoothly from person to person. The activity invites calm attention, gentle anticipation, and cooperative success as students stay engaged until the clap returns to the starting point.
As the group becomes more confident, speed can increase or fun variations added, turning the game into a lively, laughter-filled challenge. Because the structure is predictable, inclusive, and easy to follow, Pass the Clap supports every learner to participate proudly, whether they clap, tap, gesture, or signal their turn in another way. It’s a quick and powerful way to strengthen classroom connection and set a positive tone for learning.
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 Makes Me Feel Good?
What Makes Me Feel Good? is a gentle, reflective activity that helps learners across Levels A–D and F–3 explore the everyday moments, activities, and experiences that make them feel happy, calm, or healthy. By writing, drawing, pointing to symbols, or sharing with a partner, students take time to notice what lifts their mood, whether it’s playing outside, listening to music, spending time with friends, reading, or enjoying a favourite hobby. This process builds emotional awareness and helps students understand what supports their well-being in simple, meaningful ways.
Once students identify their feel-good activities, they reflect on why these things matter and think about how they can include them more often in their weekly routines. The activity encourages positive self-awareness and empowers students to plan for small, achievable well-being habits. Whether shared with a partner, added to a Feel Good Wall, or kept privately in a journal, What Makes Me Feel Good? helps students recognise the power of positive choices and strengthens their ability to take care of their own emotional health.
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
Lumps
Lumps is a fast, energetic, and social movement game designed to help learners across Levels A–D and F–3 build teamwork, quick thinking, and confidence. Students move around the space in playful ways, hopping, marching, rolling, tiptoeing, before quickly forming groups when the teacher calls out a number. This simple pattern of move, listen, group creates a predictable and supportive structure that helps students practise focus, follow instructions, and collaborate with a wide range of peers. With every new round, students build trust, social interaction skills, and physical confidence while staying active.
The game also strengthens emotional and social development by encouraging kindness, inclusion, and helping behaviours. If a student can’t find a group, they complete a fun, non-elimination challenge before rejoining, ensuring everyone stays involved and successful. Across all levels, Lumps supports communication, connection, and a positive classroom culture, making it an excellent warm-up, energiser, or team-building activity. It celebrates effort, movement, and togetherness, showing students that learning through play is fun, inclusive, and for everyone.
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 Memory Match
Kindness Memory Match is a playful and reflective game where students explore what kindness looks and feels like in their own lives. As they flip over cards to find matching kindness questions, students recall moments when they helped someone, when someone supported them, or when kindness made their day feel brighter. This gentle structure encourages students across Levels A–D and F–3 to think deeply, share their ideas in any form, words, drawings, gestures, and celebrate the many ways kindness shows up around them.
As players take turns matching kindness cards, they listen respectfully to each other’s stories and practise empathy in a supportive, low-pressure way. The game promotes teamwork, memory skills, and emotional awareness, helping students notice that kindness is powerful, meaningful, and something they can choose every day. Kindness Memory Match is more than a game, it is a joyful invitation to appreciate the good in others, reflect on our own actions, and strengthen the caring culture of the whole group.
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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