our academy for witches and wizards

Thematic Unit (PMLD)

Our Academy for Witches and Wizards

OVERVIEWThis unit suggests a range of activities centred on an imaginary school for witchcraft, wizardry, magic potions and spells.

The title of this unit and the teaching and learning experiences suggested are delivered through the concept of your own class, department or the whole school becoming, for the duration of the theme, Our Academy for Wizards and Witches.

The unit is focused mainly on Key Stage 3. It provides teaching resources, ideas, lesson plans and activities that you can adapt and modify to enhance the sensory curriculum for learners with PMLD.

Please note: before beginning an activity, check that all the resources are suitable for your individual learners. For example, some essential oils may not be appropriate for young children and others may have contraindications for learners with complex medical needs, life-threatening conditions and/or epilepsy. It is advisable to consult a trained therapist before using essential oils.

ContentsLearning Activity 1 Sorcerer SenseWaking up and stimulating the senses ............................................. 2

Learning Activity 2Welcome to Our AcademyAn interactive Whiteboard story ........................................................ 4

Learning Activity 3A Witch’s StoryA patting story .................................................................................... 6

Learning Activity 4Hat or Hand TricksAn art lesson ....................................................................................... 8

Learning Activity 5Potions and LotionsA mathematics lesson about pattern and sequences .................... 10

Learning Activity 6A Witch’s BrewAn interactive drama story ................................................................ 12

Learning Activity 7Bubble TroubleA science lesson about making bubbles ......................................... 14

Learning Activity 8Levitation BalloonsEncouraging body movements by keeping balloons in the air ...... 16

Learning Activity 9Magician GraduationReflecting on past learning activities and awarding learners with graduation certificates .............................................................. 18

Resources ...................................................................................... 20

Acknowledgements .................................................................. 26

Our Academy for Witches and Wizards 1

Learning Activity 1

2 Our Academy for Witches and Wizards

Sorcerer Sense

Setting the SceneSorcerer Sense is a lesson that you could deliver each morning to help stimulate the senses and encourage your learners to be more alert and engaged throughout the day’s planned activities.

The lesson incorporates Resource 1: Waking the Senses. This presentation takes each learner through a range of stimuli to awaken the five senses. Use magical textures, tastes, sounds, smells and visual aids as prompts and cues. Play magic-themed music in the background throughout the Whiteboard presentation.

What to DoPosition your learners comfortably and dim the classroom lights. Begin playing the themed music in the background and display one slide at a time from the Resource 1: Waking the Senses. Each slide has an image that focuses on one sense: sight, sound, smell, touch or taste. Encourage your learners to participate in the following activities and photograph or record their reactions.


What You Need

Resource 1: Waking the Senses (Whiteboard Slides)

• Plasma screen or interactive whiteboard

• Magic-themed music• Glow sticks • Chimes • Fresh aromatic herbs such

as mint or a scented cream• Jelly• Popping candy or powder• Camera or device to take

photographs and/or videos

Further SuggestionsChange the stimuliSightDarken the room and use a glitter mirror ball to stimulate the eyes.

SoundUse a recording of an owl hooting or an owl musical whistle.

TouchAdd jelly sweets, such as worms, to the jelly to allow your learners to progress to exploring and experiencing more textures.

TasteMake your own slimy lime jelly with the learners or experiment with colours and flavours to smell, feel or taste.

SmellInvite your learners to smell witch-hazel gel or cream.

Areas of LearningPost-PrimaryEnvironment and SocietyMathematics

Learning Activity 2

Welcome to Our Academy

Setting the SceneThis learning activity has been designed as a sensory story. It aims to encourage learners to interact with and respond to sounds and visual stimulation using Resource 2: Our Academy for Witches and Wizards, which contains simple tracking and cause and effect activities.

What to DoDisplay the slides from Resource 2: Our Academy for Witches and Wizards. Learners can activate these slides themselves. Photograph or film their reactions.

Further SuggestionsMake a magic wandLearners could create magic wands in an art lesson by wrapping dowelling rods, drumsticks or old paintbrushes in coloured paper and sticky tape.



What You Need

Resource 2: Our Academy for Witches and Wizards (Whiteboard Slides)

• Whiteboard or interactive touch screen

• Magic wand (a stylus decorated silver and black) to touch the screen with

• Camera or device to take photographs and/or videos

Areas of LearningPost-Primary English Science and Technology

Setting the SceneReinforce the topic by decorating your room with images of witches on your display boards or floating from the ceiling, using electric fans to make them move. Create a storytelling area decorated with witch-themed items such as broomsticks, cauldrons and pumpkin fairy lights.

Search online for images of witches.

What to DoThe storyteller should dress as a witch. To prepare for the activity, position your learners in the storytelling area with their shoes and socks off and their trousers and sleeves rolled up. Over time, introduce them to a range of stories and poems about witches. Use the activities outlined in Resource 3: A Witch’s Story to enhance each learners experience..

Learning Activity 3

A Witch’s Story



Further SuggestionsMore witch storiesYou could use these stories as alternatives to read to your learners:

The Twitchy Witch Visit www.shortstories.net and search under the witch stories category.

The Witch who was Frightened of HalloweenVisit www.storynory.com and search for The Witch who was Frightened of Halloween.

Read an extract from The Witches by Roald Dahl.

What You Need

Resource 3: A Witch’s Story

• Witch wig and hat• Broomstick• Black cloak

Areas of LearningPost-PrimaryEnglish


Setting the SceneIn this activity, your learners will engage with and have time to explore materials to make wizards’ and witches’ hats and hands that will glow under ultraviolet light.

Once created, you could use the hats throughout the rest of the unit. For example, each time the learners engage in an activity using the whiteboard or touch screen, they could wear the hats. This will help to connect learning and maintain continuity throughout the theme.

What to DoFor Witches’ and Wizards’ hatsUsing stiff paper or card, create a tall cone shaped wizard’s or witch’s hat with a wide brim for each learner. Encourage your learners to indicate the colour of card they prefer and to choose which materials they would like to use for decoration.

Create a magical feel by using an area or room with ultraviolet light and mirrors for the learners to see themselves.

Witches’ and Wizards’ handsPrepare your learners for the activity by introducing them to a plastic witch’s hand and encouraging them to explore it and compare it with their own hands.

Offer your learners a choice of different paint colours. Encourage the learner to choose which hand they would prefer to have painted. Paint the learner’s hand in their chosen colour using different textures such as thin brushes, large decorating brushes, sponges or kitchen scourers. Support the learners to make a handprint, where possible encouraging them to make their print independently.

Create the fingernails using various materials such as silver card, brightly coloured paper, pieces of sandpaper or strips of coloured plastic bags. Don’t forget to curl the nails around a pencil for a 3D effect. Use glue to attach the fingernails onto the hands.

Search online to find alternative wizard or witch themed art and craft activities.

Further SuggestionsPicturesTake photos and videos of your learners to project onto a screen so that they can see themselves as wizards and witches. You could use image manipulation software to distort these images to create a more magical feel.

Learning Activity 4

Hat or Hand Tricks

Areas of LearningPost-Primary The Arts (Art and Design)Mathematics

What You Need• Glue• Scissors• Camera or device to take


For witches’ and wizards’ hats:• Large sheets of coloured

cardboard• Wizard hat template or

instructions available from www.firstpalette.com (search for wizard hat)

• Materials that glow in ultraviolet light, for example flourescent card, paint or material, white material

• Sticky tape or stapler• Mirrors• Ultraviolet light

For witches’ and wizards’ hands:• Plastic witch’s hand• Poster paint • A4 paper to make

handprints on• Aromatherapy oils to match

each of the paint colours for example lemon for yellow or mint for green

• Shiny paper, brightly coloured card, sandpaper, plastic bags cut into pointy nail shapes


Setting the SceneThis learning activity uses a multi-sensory hand massage involving textures and smells to enhance the experience. The primary mathematical focus in this lesson is sequence and pattern, although you could easily adapt this. For example if shapes are the focus, you could conduct the massage using circular motions and circular shaped resources.

Points to NoteFor most learners, lavender and tea tree essential oils are considered safe and suitable for use. However, for learners with complex medical conditions, including epilepsy, respiratory complications, high blood pressure or other conditions, there may be contraindications. Therefore, always seek advice from parents and a qualified aromatherapist or use scented creams.

What to DoCreate a calming environment in the classroom with dimmed lights. Encourage your learners to wear their hats from the previous learning activity. Use a slowly rotating coloured light or mirror ball to create a magical ambience. Play mystical themed classical music in the background. The sequence of your movements should be in time with the rhythm of the music.

Begin massaging one hand at a time. Members of staff should carry this out with each learner on a one-to-one basis. Massage each hand using the same hand actions, sensory experiences and techniques. Wrap heated towels around the learner’s hands after the massage or if a learner has to wait, wrap their hands before the massage to ensure they are included in the lesson.

Movement sequence:• Use a wet wipe and gently rub up and down from the

palm of the hand to just above the wrist. Repeat this for the top of the hand.

• While maintaining contact with the learner’s hand, repeat the above movements using a feather.

• Again, keep contact with the learner’s hand and drop half a teaspoonful of the oil mix or a basic scented hand cream onto the palm. Repeat the movements above. Then, with the palm facing up, start to massage the palm using your thumbs simultaneously. Gently start to massage each individual finger and thumb. Turn the hand with palm facing down and repeat the above sequence.

• Retain contact with the learner’s hand and sprinkle on some talcum powder. Gently rub up and down on the top of the palm to just above the wrist and repeat for the back of the hand.

• Finish by wrapping the learner’s hand in a heated towel.

• Repeat the process for the other hand.

• Take photographs or film your learners as they experience the massage.

Potions and LotionsLearning Activity 5



What You Need• Rotating coloured light or

mirror ball• Wizard or witch hats (from

previous learning activity)• Wet wipes• Feather • Essential oil such as tea tree

or lavender (this must be mixed with a base oil by a trained therapist)

• Scented hand cream• Talcum powder• Heated towels or heat packs• Shallow tray or table to rest

your learners hands on• Suitable background music,

for example the theme from a Harry Potter film


Areas of LearningPost-PrimaryMathematicsEnvironment and Society


Setting the SceneCreate a witch’s cauldron from black card, a flowerpot or a large saucepan. Depending on the size of the cauldron, fill it with green jelly, orange or green shredded paper or alternative creative resources.

What to DoDarken the classroom. Add the jelly or shredded paper to the cauldron and stir, using a long wooden spoon. Create a spooky atmosphere by reciting some witch poems or spells such as:

‘Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble’

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

You can find alternative suitable poems online. For example, visit www.fizzyfunnyfuzzy.com and search for Witches Stew in the Halloween Howlers section of poetry themes.

Encourage your learners to wear aprons. Position them around the cauldron and support them to touch, squeeze and explore the resources in the cauldron. If you have used cold jelly, if appropriate, encourage your learners to taste it.

Begin to create a potion by adding appropriate ingredients one by one, for example chocolate mice or jelly sweets shaped like spiders, snakes or frogs. Describe each ingredient as you drop it into the cauldron, to involve your learners in the process.

Learning Activity 6

A Witch’s Brew


You can find ideas for rhymes to support making the potion at www.kidsonthenet.org.uk by searching for Spellbook in the Creative Writing section.

Support your learners to explore the potion. Help them to find the hidden creatures and lift them out of the cauldron one by one to feel, smell or taste, if appropriate.

Use Resource 4: A Witch’s Song to engage your learners in a sensory activity.

Further SuggestionsMore songs and rhymesYou can find alternative literacy or drama activities at www.petewells.co.uk

Areas of LearningPost-PrimaryEnglishMathematicsThe Arts (Drama)

Resource 4: A Witch’s Song

• Aprons• Green jelly• Shredded paper• Jelly sweets• White chocolate mice• Wig• Mushy peas• Modelling clay• Water spray• Deodorant• Sound of a scissor

snip recorded onto a communication device

• Brush• Damp sock• Fizzy drink or juice


Learning Activity 7

Bubble Trouble

Setting the SceneThis is a science-based lesson that aims to introduce learners to new textures and smells. By combining the ingredients listed opposite, learners will create a chemical reaction to make their own kind of magic.

Points to NoteAs with all chemical reactions, ensure your learners are safe. Learners should wear plastic goggles. If tolerated, this will be a new sensory experience in itself.

What to DoContinuing the theme, learners could wear their wizard or witch hats in this lesson and use their wands to stir the mixtures.

Lay all the above ingredients on the teaching table. Give your learners an opportunity to explore each ingredient either independently or with support.

Take all opportunities to involve your learners in making choices such as which food colouring they prefer.

When all your learners have explored the ingredients, begin the experiment:

• Place an empty bottle in the middle of a saucepan.

• Pour or spoon baking soda into the bottle until it covers the bottom.

• In a cup or mug, combine ¼ cup of vinegar, two big drops of washing up liquid and a few drops of food colouring.

• Using the funnel, pour this mixture into the bottle.

• Stand back and watch as your bubbles erupt!

• Take photographs or film your learners’ reactions.


Areas of LearningPost-Primary Science and TechnologyMathematics

What You Need• Clear bottle with a slim neck

(like a large juice bottle)• Vinegar• Baking soda• Washing up liquid • Food colouring (selection of

colours)• Saucepan• Glass or mug• Cup measure• Funnel• Spoon• Camera or device to take


Further SuggestionsFun experimentsTry another experiment. There are plenty of simple experiments to do in the classroom using everyday substances. Visit www.sciencebuddies.org and search for Chemistry in the Physical Science section of the Project Ideas tab.


Setting the SceneYou should take this lesson in the school hall or a large room where there is plenty of space. The lesson aims to encourage learners’ independent movement and allows them to try key physical education skills such as multi-directional movement, speed and playing as a team. This physical activity ties into the Academy for Wizards and Witches theme by keeping balloons afloat in the air ‘magically’.

What to DoThe buoyancy and weight of balloons make them a great resource to use with PMLD learners, as little movement is required to make the balloons move. This also makes them safer to use with those with limited physical ability.

Present each learner with a balloon to explore. They may try to push the balloons off their laps. Support each learner hand-over-hand to try to hit the balloon into the air. Staff could gently hit the balloon towards the learner to encourage the learner to reach out or try to hit it back.

PVC pipes are the best way to make electricity. Plumbers usually have spare pieces of this or you can buy it from a DIY store. Charge the PVC pipe by rubbing it back and forth through your hair or the learner’s hair for 10 seconds. Hold the balloon above the charged pipe and let it drop and touch the pipe. The pipe should repel the balloon, making it float. You will usually have to ‘recharge’ the pipe before each levitation.

Once they have mastered levitating balloons, try moving your learners as they try to keep the balloons afloat.

Use a camera, tablet or video recorder to capture the learners’ participation.

Learning Activity 8

Levitation Balloons


Further SuggestionsMore magicTry levitating an orb made from Mylar tinsel, which is available from fishing tackle shops or online. You can find instructions for this experiment at www.sciencebob.com by searching for The Amazing Levitating Orb in the Experiments section.

Instead of using the PVC pipes, play parachute games with balloons. For example, try to keep the balloons on the parachute or see how high they can float.

Have a game of Academy for Wizards and Witches balloon-ball, by using pipes or wands to try to pass the balloon from learner to learner without letting it fall.

What You Need• Inflated balloons • Wands or pieces of PVC pipe

preferably 1 inch wide and 24 inches long


Areas of LearningPost-Primary Physical EducationScience and Technology



Lesson OverviewThis activity should take place after the learners have completed all the activities in the unit. It aims to revisit the learning experiences covered and uses prompts and visual cues to remind them what they have participated in and achieved.

What to DoEnsure your learners are wearing their wizard or witch hats. Together, view the photographs and videos taken from the past week of activities on a large screen.

Slowly present each picture, describing the events as they unfold. Pause the pictures, as and when appropriate, to allow your learners to connect with the resource that you have chosen to correspond with certain activities. For example, pause on a picture taken during the massage and let each learner smell the oil or cream that you used in the massage.

Play the theme music from a Harry Potter film and present your learners with the certificates from Resource 5: Graduation Certificates.

Further SuggestionsScrapbook souvenirCreate a scrapbook of photos and textures used in the activities. You could give these to your learners to bring home, communicating to parents the achievements of the wizards and witches in our academy.

Magician GraduationLearning Activity 9


What You Need

Resource 5: Graduation Certificates

• Whiteboard or plasma screen

• Photos or videos from the activities downloaded and ready to be viewed on a large screen

• Prompts and cues that represent the activities covered, for example oil or cream used in massage, a paintbrush used in art or a balloon used in PE

• Celebratory background music

Areas of LearningPost-Primary EnglishEnvironment and Society


Slide 1: Introduction Introductory slide with (school name) Academy for Witches and Wizards

Slide 2: Sight Use glow sticks for the learners to track. You may need to adapt this lesson for

visually impaired learners.

Slide 3: Sound Stop the background music and play chimes to make a magical sound.

Slide 4: Smell Restart the background music. Encourage your learners to smell the fresh herbs or a

scented cream.

Slide 5: Touch Guide your learners to explore the jelly. Gelibaf is an alternative that you can find in

most resource catalogues.

Slide 6: Taste Where appropriate, let your learners taste the popping candy or powder.

Resource 1: Waking the Senses (Whiteboard Slides)Available from the SEN and Inclusion PMLD Sensory curriculum at www.nicurriculum.org.uk


Text, as listed below, to be spoken by the teacher.

Slide 1: Title pageText: Welcome to Our Academy for Witches and Wizards

Slide 2 : Images of witches and wizardsText: Deep in a forest, where no one can see

Lies a magical place called our academy!Look very closely for a pair of eyes,

Follow the trail and there the academy lies

Slide 3: Blinking eyes appearAction: Support the learners to touch the screen to find the blinking eyes.

Slide 4: Wizard and witch appear and disappearText: Can you see the magic trail?

I promise you it is realUse your wand, one, two, three,

The magic trail you will see

Slide 5: Pictures of feet forming a magic trailAction: Support your learners to touch the screen where feet will appear to form a magic trail.

Slide 6: Wizard and witch follow trailText: Well done! you found it, now follow me

We’re nearly there, in time for teaWave your wand and tap once more

The Academy for Witches and Wizards will appear,Then enter through the door

Slide 7: Image of a school with a sign saying ‘Our Academy’

Slide 8: Moving door and soundAction: Learner touches the screen to hear a magical door sound.

Slide 9: Wizard and witch appear and disappearText: Now I’ll show you a magical art

Spinning hats is where we’ll startA tap of the wand and one, two, three,

The hat will spin, you will see!

Resource 2: Our Academy for Witches and Wizards (Whiteboard Slides) (1 of 2)Available from the SEN and Inclusion PMLD Sensory curriculum at www.nicurriculum.org.uk


Slide 10: Wizard’s or witch’s hatAction: Learner touches the screen and a hat appears, spins and disappears.

Slide 11: Wizard and witch appear and disappearText: At our academy, it is important to be,

A math’s magician as good as me!Colours, sizes, patterns and more,Potions, lotions and magic galore!

Slide 12: Five different coloured shapes with numbers appear, fly around the screen and then disappear.

Action: Learners touch the screen to activate it.

Slide 13: Wizard and witch appear and disappearText: Maths magicians! You’re surely on your way,

To becoming the best magicians our academy has today!Sorcery Science is what we’ll do next,To conjure up a magical bubble mix.

Slide 14: Bubbles ascend from a cauldronAction: Learners touch the screen to see the bubbles appear from the cauldron.

Slide 15: Wizard and witch appear and disappearText: Now you know the bubble trick,

Another taste of our academy’s magic.But can you make things float in the air

And, better still, to disappear?

Slide 16: Balloons that can be inflated and burstAction: Learners touch the screen to inflate the balloons and then burst them.

Slide 17: Wizard and witch appear and disappearText: You are true magicians and learned so well,

To float balloons and cast some spells.Now you are masters in wizardry

Graduates from our academy!

Resource 2: Our Academy for Witches and Wizards (Whiteboard Slides) (2 of 2)


A Witch Story Sensory ActivitiesI am a mean old witch wearing a wig Using your fingertips, tap the words all over

the learner’s head.

I ride on broom, which isn’t very big Pat up and down both legs, in time to the words.

I wear pointy shoes but have no toes Strum your fingers up and down each bare foot.

I have large pink nostrils upon my nose Gently tap your fingers across the learner’s nose.

I have long curly claws just like a cat Strum your fingers down the learner’s arms and across the hands and fingers.

And my spit is blue what do you think of that? Gently strum your fingers across the learner’s face towards the mouth area.

My eyes can change from ice to fire Gently strum your fingers across the learner’s forehead, left to right and then right to left.

And I HATE children with all my desire Pat the learner from head to toe.

Resource 3: A Witch’s Story


Song Sensory ActivitiesWicked Webster Witch has had the notion,Of making a brand new ugly potion!She needs bits of slime and grease and snot,To put into her ugly pot!

First she took some hair from (learner’s name)’s head,‘Hmmm, not too greasy!’ the old hag said.

Give learners a wig to feel

‘Next a bogey picked from (learner’s name)’s nose,Into my bubbling pot it goes!’

Give learners some mushy peas to taste

‘Next some sticky wax from (learner’s name)’s ear,That’ll do nicely, thank you dear!’

Give learners some modelling clay to feel

‘From (learner’s name)’s mouth I need some spit,To spice my mixture up a bit!’

Spray the learners’ hands, arms or feet with water

A soggy drip from under (learner’s name)’s arm,Will make my potion work a charm!

Give learners some deodorant to smell

Next clippings from (learner’s name)’s fingernails,‘My potion’s looking great!’ Webster wails!

Play the sound of a scissor snip

A botty burp from (learner’s name)’s bot,Will help this potion smell a lot!

Blow up a balloon and let it go

A bit of (learner’s name)’s hairy knee,Makes this potion as powerful as can be.

Give learners a brush to feel

A drop of sweat from (learner’s name)’s feet,And my potion will be complete!

Give learners a damp sock to feel

But Webster Witch has got it wrong,She made her potion much too strong!Instead of making a spell that’s horribly nauseous,The potion makes you completely gorgeous!

Give learners a potion – a fizzy drink or juice – to taste and then support them to look in a mirror

Copyright: Pete Wells 2006Contact: [email protected]

Resource 4: A Witch’s Song


Resource 5: Graduation Certificates

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Acknowledgements:

Illustrations sourced from Thinkstockphotos.co.uk

Cover: iStock Collection © alexandrayurkina and Song SpeckelsPage 2/3: iStock Collection © colemattPage 4/5: iStock Collection © alexandrayurkinaPage 6/7: iStock Collection © DesignLobePage 7: iStock Collection © Yuan-DenPage 8/9: iStock Collection © artshockPage 10/11: iStock Collection © Marina LvovaPage 12/13: iStock Collection © Pedro Guillermo Angeles-FloresPage 14/15: iStock Collection © stock_shoppePage 16/17: iStock Collection © PrikhnenkoPage 18/19: iStock Collection © SkomorokhPage 18: iStock Collection © imagyPage 25: iStock Collection © Dmytro Beridze; ChrisGorgio; RKaulitzki; and johnny-ka

our academy for witches and wizards

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