SPEAK TOGETHER · THE STUDIO

A small basket.
Many ways in.

Practical resources for drama, communication and shared gatherings. Begin with familiar materials already in school; specialist purchases are not required.

Choose a drama warm-up or rehearsal →

The everyday resource basket

Characters: a hand puppet, sock puppet, soft toy, object character or printed Pip picture. Pupils can direct an adult instead of holding or performing.
Props: cloth/scarves, cardboard tubes, boxes, blocks, a spoon, picture cards and simple role cards. Choose safe, age-appropriate items; adapt handling to individual access.
Communication: the pupil’s usual AAC system and backup; familiar symbols, signs, object cues, photos or text; optional Studio topic boards and partner reading.
Structure: a visual agenda, Start / Build / Finish mat, pause/pass/return cue, quiet observe space and optional visual timer.
Creative media: permitted fictional adult recordings, local device voice and school-approved recording/editing tools when useful. Technology is optional.

Open the topic communication boards → Print all nine boards (PDF)

Prepare communication with the pupil

Keep familiar vocabulary and access methods stable. Offer text, objects, photographs or familiar symbols where our pictograms are not meaningful. Coordinate with the pupil’s communication team and use licensed school symbol resources only within their permissions. Do not require a new board or device.

Model a useful selection while speaking naturally if appropriate. Wait for the pupil’s own response; accept rejection, silence or another route. Confirm choices without moving the pupil’s hand or completing a message for them.

Resources by week

Drama game: Name + Action

Puppet moment: Use a puppet as the welcome host. It can offer a place, model a pause/pass signal or carry the pupil’s selected greeting.

WEEK 1

Prepare the space and the vocabulary

Puppets & props: Pip picture or familiar puppet; fictional objects; a simple visual agenda; a quiet observe place.

AAC options: Everyday choices and Voice Lab boards; pupil’s usual yes/no, help, pause and participation vocabulary.

Prepare: Preview the meaning of each cue; offer two familiar choices and a partner route. Agree a starting task and accessible feedback.

Open the full week plan →

Drama game: Same Words, Different Meaning

Puppet moment: During rehearsal, the pupil can direct a puppet or ask an adult to perform their selected intention. Compare interpretations without judging acting ability.

WEEK 2

Prepare the space and the vocabulary

Puppets & props: Hand/sock puppet or object character; scarf; intention cards; floor spots or a seated stage area.

AAC options: Drama Lab board; familiar feeling/intention symbols; a prepared neutral line on usual AAC or permitted adult recording.

Prepare: Offer directing, object movement and seated routes. Keep expressive choices small and purposeful.

Open the full week plan →

Drama game: Copy That

Puppet moment: A puppet can model an unclear instruction and a respectful repair before pairs try. Pupils may direct the puppet’s moves on a physical map.

WEEK 3

Prepare the space and the vocabulary

Puppets & props: Two matched sets of blocks/shapes; cardboard divider; simple position cards; a 3×3 physical grid if helpful.

AAC options: Radio Check board; position, shape, again, which one and checking vocabulary on usual AAC.

Prepare: Check physical or digital input access, keep the sender’s target hidden and plan the role swap.

Open the full week plan →

Drama game: Who Am I Today?

Puppet moment: Use puppets in the main viewpoint task so fiction can carry an opinion. The pupil chooses the message and audience; the puppet’s view need not be their own.

WEEK 4

Prepare the space and the vocabulary

Puppets & props: Two contrasting puppets or character pictures; neutral dilemma card; a visible step-out-of-role cue.

AAC options: Character Bridge board; viewpoint/reason starters; chosen audience cues; optional approved pre-recorded fictional message.

Prepare: Explain fiction boundaries, agree who hears and rehearse stepping out without public sharing.

Open the full week plan →

Drama game: Yes… and… story circle

Puppet moment: A puppet introduces the stimulus or carries a pupil-selected story addition. Confirm the idea with the pupil; the adult supports access without inventing the pupil’s contribution.

WEEK 5

Prepare the space and the vocabulary

Puppets & props: Three story cards or object photographs; Start / Build / Finish mat; a mystery basket with safe familiar props.

AAC options: Voice Lab and Create boards; familiar describing, sequencing and because vocabulary; partner scribing if chosen.

Prepare: Choose a shared fictional prompt; let pupils replace pictures with familiar symbols or objects.

Open the full week plan →

Drama game: Object Transformation

Puppet moment: Let a puppet introduce the prop, offer a deliberately playful idea or model “I need thinking time”. Pupils may direct the puppet instead of performing live.

WEEK 6

Prepare the space and the vocabulary

Puppets & props: Spoon, cardboard tube, hat or other familiar safe props; optional pretend microphone; question and recovery cards.

AAC options: On Air board; agree/disagree, reason, thinking-time and change-prompt vocabulary.

Prepare: Preview props where needed. Give an equal real-prop or picture route; no forced surprise or live performance.

Open the full week plan →

Drama game: Ensemble radio scene

Puppet moment: Use a puppet as narrator or character in the production. The pupil can voice, select a recorded/AAC line, direct the action or give a cue.

WEEK 7

Prepare the space and the vocabulary

Puppets & props: Storyboard mat; role cards; simple sound-making objects; optional school-approved recording device.

AAC options: Create board; role, cue, ready, change and do-not-share vocabulary.

Prepare: Give every role a communication purpose. Plan the audience and permissions; final editing uses approved tools.

Open the full week plan →

Drama game: Replay and notice

Puppet moment: The pupil may choose a puppet to carry their selected reflection or next goal. Confirm the message; do not use the puppet to pressure disclosure.

WEEK 8

Prepare the space and the vocabulary

Puppets & props: A selected anonymous example or object from earlier work; starting-task resources; simple feedback choices; next-step card.

AAC options: My Journey and Everyday choices boards; a pupil-selected reflection route; usual AAC vocabulary for the next goal.

Prepare: Repeat a comparable task, give a pass option and choose one target together. Use the impact desk’s quick review.

Open the full week plan →

Around the Table basket

A puppet guest, picnic cloth or café sign, place markers, picture/object menu and the Around the Table board are enough. Use pretend refreshments or a food-free welcome table. If using real food, follow existing school allergy, feeding and sensory arrangements; no tasting is required.

Useful vocabulary includes invitation, preference, disagreement, story, humour, checking, repair and “no food for me”. Give AAC users the same range of social purposes as other pupils.

Use the weekly table routines →

Use what already works

These are resource suggestions, not a shopping list. Prepare the least complex materials that give the interaction a purpose. Check actual devices, input methods, audio formats and permissions with adults before pupil use.