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Stay and Play

Lesson Plan

Stay and Play

Addressing school avoidance

This lesson is designed to help a special education student who frequently attempts to leave school by faking illness. Through a fun and engaging activity, the student will explore the positive aspects of staying at school and develop coping strategies for when they feel the urge to leave. This lesson is important as it aims to build a sense of belonging and safety at school, using trauma-informed and restorative practices to address underlying issues.

Audience

Special Education Student

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Active Learning, Restorative Practices, Trauma-Informed Teaching

Materials

Post-it notes, Markers, and Printable Cards: Positive School Experiences

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and create a welcoming environment.
  • Briefly discuss how sometimes we all feel like leaving a place, but there are many good things about staying.
  • Explain that today you'll explore some of those good things together.

Step 2

Activity: Positive School Experiences

10 minutes

  • Provide the student with post-it notes and markers.
  • Ask the student to think of things they enjoy about school or things they might look forward to (e.g., friends, favorite subjects, recess).
  • Encourage the student to write or draw these on the post-it notes.
  • Use the printable cards to prompt ideas if the student is struggling.
  • Discuss each post-it note, reinforcing the positive aspects of staying at school.

Step 3

Closure

5 minutes

  • Review the positive experiences discussed and emphasize how these can make school a more enjoyable place.
  • Encourage the student to keep the post-it notes as reminders of the good things about school.
  • Thank the student for participating and express excitement about seeing them enjoy these experiences.
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Worksheet

Positive School Experiences

These cards are designed to help the student identify and focus on positive experiences at school. They can be used to prompt ideas during the activity.




Seeing friends







Learning new things







Playing at recess







Art class







Music class







Reading time







Lunch with classmates







Helping others







Receiving praise







Completing a project




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