The School of Play Curriculum
Special Education
Week 13 focuses on emotion literacy, cooperative passing, and reflective kindness. Start with Emotion Statues: model 3–4 feelings, then countdown (“3–2–1-freeze!”) as students create full-body or facial statues; peers guess, then add a quick energiser (jump/spin/wiggle) before the next freeze or try pair/group tableaux for “surprise” vs “scared.” Slide into Friendship Ball: circle up and pass/roll a soft ball (or toy); on release, say a name/colour/compliment (“Thanks, Maya!” “Blue!” “You’re kind!”). Track a class streak to boost teamwork, then switch leaders or patterns to maintain momentum. Close with SEL: The Power of a Smile (write/draw a time a smile helped + class “smile challenge” target) and This or That Gratitude (move to Option A/B on prompt cards, then share a word/sentence or quick sketch about why), finishing with a mini “Gratitude Wall.”
Preparation is minimal (softball/toy, paper/pencils; optional emotion/choice cards and A/B signs). Accessibility stays central: offer upper-body statues and gesture options (wave/thumbs-up), lap or gentle hand-to-hand passes, clear pathways/seating, visuals/AAC, buddy supports, and extra processing time; invite partners to meet at eye level. Expect visible gains in recognising/expressing emotions, turn-taking, and prosocial language, plus a warmer classroom climate through everyday smiles and gratitude, delivered with laughter, choice, and inclusive participation.
Weekly Lessons
Emotion Statues
Emotion Statues is a fun, expressive game that helps students across Levels A–D and F–3 explore how emotions can be shown through facial expressions and body language. By freezing in “statue” poses that represent feelings like happy, sad, tired, excited, or surprised, students build emotional awareness in a playful, low-pressure way. Each round invites students to experiment, be creative, and use their whole body (or upper body for accessibility) to communicate their chosen emotion, building confidence in role play while strengthening their understanding of how emotions look and feel.
As students observe one another’s statues, they practise identifying emotions, developing empathy, and learning how to read social cues in a supportive environment. Quick guesses, shared laughter, and gentle encouragement create moments of connection while reinforcing key SEL skills. With simple instructions, full inclusivity, and endless ways to adapt the activity, Emotion Statues is an engaging, movement-based way to help students better understand themselves and others through the joy of play.
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
The Power of a Smile
The Power of a Smile is a gentle, uplifting activity that helps students across Levels A–D and F–3 understand how powerful non-verbal communication can be. Through simple reflections, drawings, and partner interactions, students explore how smiling shows kindness, comfort, and connection without needing any words. They think about times when a smile helped them feel safe or happy, and they practise sharing smiles with classmates to notice how something so small can create a big shift in mood. This activity encourages emotional awareness in a simple, accessible way, helping every learner recognise the joy a smile can bring.
Students are then invited to spread positivity through a fun “Smile Challenge,” sharing their smiles with peers, teachers, and family members to brighten someone’s day. They finish by adding their reflections to a Smile Wall or sharing their stories with a partner or group. The Power of a Smile reinforces that kindness doesn’t always need to be spoken, sometimes the most meaningful connection comes from a warm expression and a moment of shared happiness. This activity strengthens social connection, builds confidence, and helps students experience how smiles truly ripple throughout a community.
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
Friendship Ball
Friendship Ball is a simple, social, confidence-building game designed to help learners across Levels A–D and F–3 practise giving, receiving, and connecting with others in a safe and playful way. Students sit or stand in a circle and take turns rolling or passing a soft ball to a classmate, saying a name, colour, or positive word as they do. This small act builds communication skills, supports expressive language (verbal or non-verbal), and helps students feel seen and included. Whether they speak a word, show a colour card, or simply smile as they pass, every learner experiences success.
The game strengthens turn-taking, listening, and social awareness while building a warm sense of group belonging. As the ball moves around the circle, students celebrate each other, practise gentle interactions, and learn the joy of giving and receiving in a predictable, supportive structure. Friendship Ball is quick, adaptable, and deeply inclusive, perfect for helping all students feel safe, confident, and connected as part of their weekly special education wellbeing routine.
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
This or That Gratitude
This or That Gratitude is a simple, interactive reflection game that invites students to practise gratitude by making choices between two meaningful options. By moving to the side of the room that matches their choice, students think about what makes them happy, what they value, and who or what they feel thankful for. This movement-based structure keeps learners across Levels A–D and F–3 engaged, relaxed, and connected as they begin to understand gratitude in a gentle, accessible way. Even emerging communicators can participate through pointing, gestures, visuals, or single words, making the experience inclusive and confidence-building for everyone.
As the game progresses through several “This or That” choices, students share why they picked their option, listen to their classmates’ ideas, and notice the similarities and differences in the room. This encourages connection, turn-taking, and celebration of each other’s gratitude choices. Whether students speak, draw, gesture, or simply move to their chosen side, This or That Gratitude helps them pause, reflect, and feel good about the little things in their lives. It nurtures awareness, mindfulness, and classroom belonging in a way that feels playful, safe, and wonderfully simple.
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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