This week we decided to learn about author Beatrix Potter who wrote lots of books including the tale of a very famous rabbit named Peter! Our sensory groups explored boxes related to facts about her life. The fine motor groups made art projects based on characters from her books. The language group made a vegetable garden inspired smoothie—-Peter Rabbit approved!
SENSORY GROUP
Beatrix Potter was born in England so we filled this box with rice in the colors of the British flag. There were letter B’s and P’s to find and match, as well as a picture of Beatrix herself at the bottom of the box.
Recognize objects as the same is a science access point.
The students really had fun with the rice this week 🙂
Since Peter Rabbit is Beatrix Potter’s most well known character we decided to dedicate a box just to him. The students had fun stamping little Peter Rabbits in moonsand. We chose the blue moonsand because Peter Rabbit wore a blue coat in the story!
Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.
With a base of paper, this box contained some plush characters like the ones that appeared in some of her books. Since all of the tales take place in England, we also put in some British flag garland. There was even a board book featuring the Tale of Benjamin Bunny!
The social studies access point associate an object with a person can be addressed here.
In addition to being an author, Beatrix Potter was also a farmer. She even wrote a scientific paper about mushrooms! We brought out our box of coffee grounds “dirt” and some play food and dried beans for the students to plant.
The science access point recognize that plants grown can be addressed here.
Beatrix raised prize winning sheep on her farm. There was some soft wooly fabric to touch, a cute plush lamb puppet, and some picture cards with the word “sheep” in this box.
Match animals that are the same is a science access point.
Ok, so the lamb puppet was totally the favorite thing in the box 🙂
We continued the sheep theme with our messy play. A little bit of a stretch here, but we thought shaving cream looked a little like fluffy sheep wool.
Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
In the story, Peter Rabbit hid behind a watering can so along with a large scoop, we included one in our water play this week. This was a total hit—-the students had a blast with it!
Recognize differences in sizes of containers that hold liquids is a science access point.
We chose Bath and BodyWorks cucumber melon scent this week because we figured little bunnies would like to munch on those if they found them in a garden!
Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Tuesday the students made an art project based on the story of Peter Rabbit using this watering can template and a rabbit shape cut from the Ellison machine.
First we discussed the color of the paint and identified it using communication symbols.
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color is a science access point.
Then the students stamped some GREEN grass using our craft foam painting tool (a fringed and rolled up piece of craft foam).
We emphasized stamping UP and DOWN.
Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship is a math access point.
As each student added a watering can and a rabbit to their pictures we discussed its spatial orientation ex. beside, over, under etc.
Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.
Ta DA!!!!!!!!
                           ——hippity hoppity!
On Wednesday the students made an art project based on the character Jemima Puddle duck and once again used a shape cut from the Ellison machine.
First we identified the color of our ducks. The students did a great job—-everyone got it right!
Once again, the science access point identify objects by one observable property is addressed.
They also used communication symbols to identify the shape of Jemina’s puddle.
Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes is a math access point.
Then the students used blue markers to draw water LINES on their circles.
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
Time to glue everything DOWN!
Recognize when an object has been added to a situation is a math access point.
TA quack quack DA!
These are some happy ducks!
LANGUAGE GROUP
This week, we made a snack that we think Peter Rabbit would really enjoy! We made a fruity carrot smoothie using this recipe: Let_s Make a Fruity Carrot Smoothie
We started out by POURING 2 cups of  orange juice into a blender. We talked about how we put in the LIQUIDS first.
Recognize when an object or person is added to a situation is a math access point.
Next, we added the coconut yogurt. It called for 4 tbsp but we ended up using the whole carton.
Recognize when items have been added to or removed from sets of objects to 4 is a math access point.
When we poured out 1 tbsp of honey, we talked about how it came out of the bottle SLOWLY.
Recognize an action as fast or slow is a science access point.
We added some frozen mixed fruit, but before we measured it, each student got to feel the fruit. We talked about how it felt COLD.
Recognize objects as warm or cold is a science access point.
Finally, we added our chopped carrots.
Again, recognize when objects have been added or removed from a situation is a math access point.
Our students took turns activating the blender using a switch.
The science access point recognize that electrical systems must be turned on in order to work.
Finally, we counted out our cups and drank our yummy smoothie!
YUM!!!!!
We throughly enjoyed learning about Beatrix Potter this week. Join us again for more fun and learning—–Group by Group!