Academy for Witches & Wizards

Autumn 2015

In this unit students gain an awareness of the world of wizards and witches. This is gained through a range of activities centred on an imaginary school for witchcraft, wizardry, magic potions and spells. The unit contains a range of planned and personalised sensory experiences such as poetry, stories, songs, games and musical experiences.

Autumn 2015: Academy for Wizards & Witches

SENSORY EXPLORATION
LIGHT STIMULATION:
-Ongoing individual programmes
-Use topic related objects e.g. wands, magic sticks, sparklers
RfL: Briefly follows moving stimulus.
Demonstrates brief memory for previous presented stimuli
MUSIC:
-Exploring range of wizard type music – Harry Potter theme
-Exploration of instruments which represent environmental sounds
-Songs linked to witches and wizards - The Witches Songs
RfL: Redirects attention to second object
Responds consistently to one stimulus
ART:
-Create magic wands
-Make witches’ and wizards’ hats and hands
RfL: Intentional exploration of the environment
Shows behaviour which can be interpreted as rejection to some stimuli
EXPLORING AND EXPERIMENTING:
-Sorcerer Sense – Stimulate all senses uses range of stimuli – glitter ball, sound of owl, jelly worms, slimy jelly, witch-hazel gel
-Dressing up as witches and wizards
-Multi-sensory hands massage using range of lotions and potions
-A witch’s brew cauldron – create a spooky atmosphere
-Chemical reactions using baking soda & Vinegar
RfL: looks briefly after a disappearing object
Aided exploration of the environment
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPLORATION:
-Visits to museums – watch Harry Potter exerts on whiteboard
-Opportunity to explore the school grounds looking for items for witches’ potions
RfL: Anticipates within social routines
Changes behaviour in response to an interesting event nearby.
COMMUNICATION / PHYSICAL EXPLORATION
INTENSIVE INTERACTION
-Individual sessions
-Philosophy throughout the day
-Play sessions with topic related objects
RfL: Supported one to one turn taking
Objects to termination of interaction / HYDROTHERAPY:
-Play music linked to witches and wizards
-Exploration of objects linked to cauldrons and potions e.g. rubber rats, flies, bottles
RfL: Anticipates within social routines.
Action on reactive environment
ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY – SWITCHING, TOUCHSCREEN AND EYE GAZE:
-Ongoing individual programmes
-Interactive games with outdoor theme.
RfL: Random cause and effect
Action on reactive environment
Contingency responding / REBOUND:
-Ongoing individual programmes.
-Use topical songs during session e.g. Ten wizards jumping on the bed
RfL: Communicates “more”
Action on reactive environment
SENSORY STORY:
  • Welcome to our Academy
  • Witch’s story
  • The Witches – Ronald Dahl
RfL: Looks backwards and forwards between two objects (knows two objects are present)
Responds differently to different stimuli / GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES:
-Lying group
-Sitting group
-Body awareness
-Walking
-Crawling
-Vestibular swing
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Individual physical targets
Enterprise & Enrichment
Bake cakes and biscuits for Hearing Impaired pupils to celebrate Halloween
Community Links
ExhibitionPark, Jesmond Dene, Jesmond Library,