The School of Play Curriculum
Special Education
Week 12 layers quick partner-memory play, music-driven movement, and feel-good reflection. Start with Moving & Shaking: students co-create two-step greetings with multiple partners, then race to recall (“Partner One/Two/Three!”) to boost memory, confidence, and peer connection. Keep greetings simple and inclusive (waves, taps, thumbs-ups), and model first. Shift to Musical Moves (freeze when the music stops, switch styles on your cue) to build listening, rhythm, and safe spatial awareness; vary tempo and throw in themed moves or a student “DJ” for extra buy-in. Close with SEL: Empathy in Action (write/draw a time someone needed support + one way to show empathy this week) and My Gratitude List (five items with a why + how gratitude feels), with optional share-outs or a class wall.
Prep is minimal (speaker, paper/pencils). Accessibility remains front and centre: offer mirror-adapted greetings, provide upper-body or seated movement options, utilise visuals/AAC, and allow extra processing time. Additionally, encourage partners to meet on an equal level. Expect steady gains in memory/recall, rhythm and listening, as well as the language of empathy and gratitude, all wrapped in laughter, choice, and inclusive participation.
Weekly Lessons
Moving & Shaking
Moving & Shaking is a joyful, memory-building connection game designed for learners across Levels A–D and F–3. Students create simple, playful greetings with different partners, from claps and waves to thumbs-ups and fun gestures, helping them practise recall in a light, low-pressure way. Each new partner brings a new two-step greeting, supporting memory, confidence, and creativity while keeping instructions simple and accessible. The game naturally builds trust and comfort between peers as students laugh, share ideas, and repeat their greetings during quick partner recall rounds.
As students collect more greetings, the fun increases, turning the classroom into a buzzing, social space filled with positive interaction. Whether students are performing their “Partner One” handshake, their “Partner Two” greeting, or the optional “Partner Three,” they are practising essential social-emotional skills through play, connection, turn-taking, listening, and joyful engagement. Moving & Shaking is a perfect energiser that strengthens relationships and boosts confidence, giving every learner an inclusive and meaningful moment of 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
Empathy in Action
Empathy in Action is a gentle, reflective activity designed to help learners across Levels A–D and F–3 understand what empathy looks and feels like in real life. Through simple writing or drawing tasks, students think about moments when someone they know was feeling sad, worried, or upset. They explore how that person may have felt and reflect on ways they helped, or could have helped, to make things better. This calm, supportive activity creates space for students to recognise emotions, practise perspective-taking, and build an early understanding of what it means to care for others.
Students then take their learning a step further by planning one small act of empathy they can use in their daily life. Whether it’s checking in on a friend, offering help, or simply listening, every action builds confidence and strengthens classroom relationships. Empathy in Action nurtures kindness, emotional awareness, and connection, helping students see that even small gestures can make a big difference in someone else’s day.
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
Musical Moves
Musical Moves is a joyful start–stop movement game designed for learners across Levels A–D and F–3, bringing together rhythm, listening skills, and playful movement. Students move around the space to music, exploring different styles such as marching, tiptoeing, clapping, or swaying, then freeze like statues when the music stops. The simplicity of the cues, move when the music plays, freeze when it stops, creates an engaging, high-success activity where every student can shine. With each new round, students explore different movement styles, strengthening body awareness, rhythm, creativity, and their confidence to move in front of others.
The game also builds social connection and enjoyment as students move together, laugh at fun frozen poses, and cheer each other on. Because the movements can be easily adapted, using upper-body actions, seated poses, or visual cue cards, Musical Moves is accessible and meaningful for all learners across the special education curriculum. It’s fast, fun, and flexible, promoting listening, movement, and a positive shared experience that sets the tone for an energetic, inclusive learning session.
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
My Gratitude List
My Gratitude List is a calm and reflective activity designed to help learners across Levels A–D and F–3 pause, notice, and appreciate the good things in their lives. Students create a simple list, through writing, drawing, symbols, or shared discussion, of the people, experiences, and moments they feel thankful for. This gentle process supports emotional awareness, helps students understand what brings them joy or comfort, and strengthens the important skill of noticing positive moments, both big and small. With a focus on accessibility and student voice, every learner is encouraged to express gratitude in the way that feels right for them.
Once students have recorded their gratitude items, they take a moment to reflect on why each thing matters and how gratitude impacts their feelings and outlook. As they share (if they choose), students build connection, confidence, and an understanding of how focusing on what we are thankful for can shift our mindset. My Gratitude List helps create a classroom culture of positivity and calm, giving students a powerful emotional tool they can use throughout the day, and throughout life.
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
.avif)
