Because our school is where magic happens every day, Disney was chosen as the school wide theme this year. Of course this is right up our alley and this week we went all out Disney with our activities! Our sensory groups explored boxes related to different characters. The fine motor groups made art projects with a Disney flair and the language group made a yummy treat you can buy when visiting Disney World.
SENSORY GROUP
This first box was filled with some Disney character figures, Mickey ears, a Minnie Mouse mirror box, and a magic wand. Lots of things to explore and discover in this box! Of course, the Mickey ears were particularly popular 🙂
The language access point communicate recognition of familiar persons or objects can be addressed with this activity.
The students had fun pressing Disney images into our Bippity Boppity Boo blue moon sand.
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
Our Prince Charming rice box contained some plastic knights in 2 different colors to match and sort. There was also a little horse and a picture of the prince to find at the bottom of the box.
Recognize 2 objects that are identical to each other is a math access point.
We put 2 stretchy toys to let the students practice being strong like Hercules! There was a soft starchy dog and a stretchy bug also vibrated when pulled apart——eliciting lots of giggles 🙂
Recognize that pushing or pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
Our Tinker Bell light box was a huge hit and very entrancing to the students. There were 3 strands of battery operated lights in the box so it REALLY eye catching!
Recognize a source of light is a science access point.
Pretty darn magical——–
                      if we do say so ourselves 🙂
The fairy dust discovery bottles were also very intriguing to the students. They loved watching the glitter swirling around. Both shaking and rolling the bottles produced similar results.
Track objects in motion is a science access point.
We put some fluorescent paint into our oobleck to make it MAGICAL this week. It really looked pretty awesome under the black light. We also added a little glitter for some extra sparkle!
Recognize that pushing or pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
Hands were rinsed in Ariel’s mermaid lagoon! Along with a little mermaid toy, we put in a measuring cup for scooping fun.
The math access point recognize differences in sizes of containers that hold liquids can be addressed with this activity.
Our scent for the water play and lotion this week was Bath and BodyWorks One Thousand Wishes. We are not sure exactly what a thousand wishes smells like but the name kind of fit with our theme so— we went with it 🙂
Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Tuesday we made some Mickey Mouse ears using paper plates!
First we identified our paint color using communication symbols.
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.
Then we counted our paper plates and identified the number 2.
Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.
Since we had two ears there was a lot of painting needed for this project, so we decided to use sponge brushes to get greater coverage.
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
We finished by stapling the “ears” onto  black paper plates (bought at the dollar store) with the center section cut out.
M I C —– K E Y
                              M O U S E!!!!
On Wednesday we made some magic wands!
The students got to choose a craft foam star and then identified the color using communication symbols.
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.
Then the students decorated their stars using an assortment of stickers and putting them DOWN onto their stars.Peeling the backing off those stickers is a great way to practice pincer grasp skills!
Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship such as up or down is a math access point.
TA DA!!!
                      We going to make it a magical year!
LANGUAGE GROUP
This week, we made a cool treat that is actually sold in Disney World–a Pineapple Whip. Here is the recipe that we followed: Let_s Make a Disney World Pineapple Whip!
We started by pouring in a small can of pineapple juice followed by 3 tbsp of honey. We asked our students what we would use to measure out the honey: a tablespoon or a measuring cup.
Recognize differences in containers that hold liquids is a math access point.
We then added some frozen pineapple. Each student got to feel the bag. They conveyed whether it felt HOT or COLD. 
Recognize the temperature of items, such as food, as cool or warm is a science access point.
Then we added the pineapple and some Cool Whip topping.
The math access point recognize when an object is added to a situation is addressed here.
Our students then had to turn on the food processor using a switch. Since it was a little runnier than it was supposed to be, we added some ice.
Observe and recognize a predictable cause-effect relationship related to a science topic is a science access point that can be addressed here.
Once it was all blended and smooth, we counted out cups for each of our students——-7 cups for 7 students! Each student had to request a cup of Pineapple Whip and also a spoon if they wanted one.
                             YUMMMM!!!
The language access point adjust body movement or nonverbal expression with prompting as necessary to communicate wants and needs is addressed here.
This year truly is going to be magical!
Join us next time for more fun and learning——-Group by Group!