Recovery Curriculum Resources from Leeds Museum and Galleries
These resources are designed to support a recovery curriculum and can be used in any education setting. They complement the ‘Supporting the Return to School for All Pupils’ guidance in Leeds and the PACE approach of playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy.
This resource has a downloadable powerpoint of all the images including extra ones of real birds.
Playful
Start with some bird inspired yoga poses:
- Egg pose – cuddle in to a ball on the floor, head tucked in and give a little wobble.
- Hello Bird pose – the egg has cracked! From egg pose stand tall with hands high.
- Flamingo pose – palms together to the sky, place one foot against the opposite leg and balance. Try switching sides.
- Penguin pose – stand tall with feet hip-width apart, hands by your side with palms outwards. Gently move from side-to-side like a penguin waddle.
- Peacock pose – crouch down on tip-toes, palms together, pushing up to the sky and fanning out your arms like a peacock. Wiggle your fingers and give a shimmy.
Can you come up with any more?
Acceptance
Expressive Communication and Self Esteem
Birds are wonderful at expressing themselves through their colourful plumage and their different calls.
Think about colours as a form of expressing emotion. What colours would your pupils choose to represent themselves?
Give a choice of coloured papers and write positive affirmations connected to the colour, for example 'Today I am yellow because I feel excited', 'Today I am red because I am brave and strong'.
Creativity
Painting with feathers
Simply replace paintbrushes for feathers. Ask your class to try paint the shape of a feather or any type of bird using only a feather as a painting tool.
Mindful Painting
When painting with feathers, slow down each stroke on the paper. Make large marks and make small marks. Try using large feathers and small feathers for different effects. For a multi-sensory activity, play relaxing bird song music in the background.
Empathy
Birds are known to mimic different sounds and tones. In pairs try a mirroring activity - it might be expressive faces, body movements or sound effects. The aim is to have fun and connect with your partner and maybe even learn something new about them.
