The School of Play Curriculum
Special Education
Week 1 sets the tone for a safe, joyful, and predictable routine where every learner can succeed. You’ll open with Set Go (Levels A–D and F–3), a fast, non-eliminating warm-up that pairs students to practise reacting to “Set/Go,” counting fingers, and cheering peers. Expect smiles, quick wins, and easy baseline observations of focus, number recognition/addition, and turn-taking. Staff model beside students, and accessibility options (visual prompts, number cards, gesture alternatives) keep everyone included and energised for learning.
Across the week, you’ll rotate through three short, high-impact activities that build social-emotional foundations. My Kindness Journal invites students to draw/write three acts of kindness (gave, received, want to try) and share to a class Kindness Wall, strengthening language around feelings and prosocial norms. Old MacDonald Had a Fitness Farm blends story and fitness; students act out animals with scalable movements (and wheelchair-friendly alternatives) to boost coordination, imagination, and regulation. You’ll close with Feelings Faces, a playful role-play where learners practise expressing and identifying emotions, then reflect with simple prompts. Educators can expect minimal setup, clear differentiation for Levels A–D and F–3, multiple modes of response (verbal, visual, assisted), and lots of celebration, laying a confident, connected platform for Week 2.
Weekly Lessons
Set Go
Set Go is a fast, energetic warm-up that blends movement, focus, and sneaky maths into one simple game students love. Played in pairs, students respond to the commands “Set!” (hands behind backs) and “Go!” (reveal 1–5 fingers), then work together to count or add the total. It’s quick, social, and designed to build confidence through success, laughter, and shared wins. This game helps students practise reacting to instructions, using early numeracy skills, and connecting positively with peers, all while having fun. With no elimination and plenty of encouragement, Set Go keeps every child involved, supported, and celebrated.
Whether you’re supporting early learners in Levels A & D or stretching thinking in Levels F–3, this game can be easily adapted for different abilities, movement needs, and learning goals. After watching the short instructional video, choose the version below that best matches your students and click to download the full printable. Short, simple, and bursting with energy, Set Go is the perfect way to focus minds, warm up bodies, and get your class ready for a great session ahead.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs, or those who utilise a AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for these activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
My Kindness Journal
My Kindness Journal is a simple, heartfelt activity that helps students slow down, notice kindness, and celebrate the positive moments in their day. Through drawing, writing, and sharing with peers, students explore the kindness they give, the kindness they receive, and the kindness they want to try next. It’s calm, creative, and designed to build emotional awareness in a way that feels joyful and safe. Students begin by brainstorming acts of kindness they’ve seen or experienced, then record three examples in their journal using pictures, words, stickers, or whatever expression suits them best. The activity finishes with a gentle sharing circle, giving every child a chance to reflect on how kindness feels and how it strengthens friendships and classroom culture.
Whether you’re working with early learners in Levels A & D or extending reflection and expressive skills in Levels F–3, My Kindness Journal is fully adaptable and inclusive for all abilities. After watching the short video, choose the version below and click to download. Each option provides complete instructions, scaffolding, and supportive variations. A beautiful way to build emotional literacy, connection, and compassion, one small act of kindness at a time.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs, or those who utilise a AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for these activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
Old MacDonald Had a Fitness Farm
Old MacDonald Had a Fitness Farm is a playful, story-driven movement game that gets students up, active, and laughing as they act out different farm animals. Blending storytelling with fitness, students copy simple actions, jumping, flapping, galloping, marching, twisting, and more, while following along to a fun and familiar narrative. It’s imaginative, energising, and perfect for building coordination, confidence, and joy through movement. As the teacher reads (or plays the video), students bring the farm to life by becoming the animals: squatting cows, galloping horses, high-knee pigs, flapping ducks, or any creative creature they invent. The story builds through actions, sounds, and big expressions, before finishing with a gentle cool-down to settle bodies and minds. The game works beautifully in classrooms, halls, or outdoor spaces and can be easily adapted for different movement needs.
Whether you’re supporting early learners in Levels A–D or building fitness and creativity in Levels F–3, this activity offers flexible options for all abilities, including upper-body alternatives, seated variations, and inclusive modelling. After watching the short demonstration video, choose the version below to download the full printable. A fun, flexible, laughter-filled way to combine fitness, storytelling, and imagination, Old MacDonald’s farm has never been this active!
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs, or those who utilise a AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for these activity variation ideas and strategies.
Levels A & B download HERE
Levels C & D download HERE
Levels F to 3 download HERE
Feelings Faces
Feelings Faces is a fun, expressive game that helps students explore emotions through simple role-play. Using their faces, bodies, and imagination, students act out different feelings as classmates try to guess the emotion. It’s quick, playful, and a powerful way to build emotional literacy, empathy, and confidence in a supportive environment. As the teacher calls out a feeling or shows an emoji card, students bring that emotion to life with expressions, gestures, and sometimes even sounds or words. The group then guesses the feeling, celebrates each other’s efforts, and reflects on what emotions look and feel like. With lots of smiles, laughter, and creativity, the activity helps students understand both their own feelings and the feelings of others.
The game works beautifully with early learners in Levels A–D and with older students in Levels F–3, where they can explore a broader range of emotions and expand their emotional vocabulary. It is flexible, inclusive, and easily adapted for different movement abilities, communication styles, and classroom needs. After watching the short demonstration video, choose the version below that suits your learners and click to download the full printable.
A playful, confidence-boosting way to help students recognise, express, and talk about feelings, one face at a time.
Please note: For students with sensory learning needs, or those who utilise a AAC device, please refer to the levels A-B PDF for these 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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