It’s been an interesting start to the year for us—–we had an actual SNOW day! Snow is a pretty rare commodity around here so there was quite a bit of excitement as you can imagine. Due to the start of the semester and the snow day our week has been pretty short but we did manage to have 3 groups for our New Year’s themed unit. Happy 2018!
SENSORY GROUP
In the south we eat black eyed peas for luck on New Year’s day. This box of dried peas contained the numbers 2-0-1-8 for the students to find.
Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.
In the Chinese New Year, 2018 will be the year of the dog—–how cool is that! Since red is a considered a lucky color we used red moon sand to go with our dog shaped cookie cutter. Moon sand has a soft texture but is moldable which makes it perfect for this activity.
Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.
The students had fun scooping and sifting sand using the tools we included in this “sands of time” box. It was also a great opportunity to practice bilateral skills!
The science access point track a falling object can be addressed here.
Lots of people have parties this time of year so we had a box of colorful party beads for the students to wear and explore. Also, lots of fun to shake!
Track objects in motion is a science access point.
Fireworks are a big part of the New Year’s celebrations. Our fireworks light show toy was a hit with the students. It made some pretty authentic fireworks sounds and projected small pictures—-very cool!
Recognize and respond to different types of sensory stimuli is a science access point.
There was some shiny and colorful confetti to swirl around in shaving cream this week.
Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
The students had fun scooping the numbers 2-0-1-8 from our “bubbly” (from Philosophy) scented water.
Identify objects by one observable property (in this case floating or sinking) is a science access point.
Bath and BodyWorks has a scent called “midnight”—-perfect for a New Year’s unit! The students really liked the scent.
Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.
We finished our group we some bubble wrap fireworks—-so much fun!
Recognize that pushing or pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
We made some fireworks pictures this week!
First, we identified our paint color using communication symbols.
Identify objects by one observable property,such as color, is a science access point.
After dipping our paint tool in the paint, the students stamped UP and DOWN to make their fireworks. Our tool was made by fringing a piece of craft foam, folding it in half, rolling it up, and then securing it with a rubber band.
Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down, is a science access point.
Then they added some gold glitter—–got to have some sparkle 🙂
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
TA——– ooh aah——– Da!
FIREWORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LANGUAGE GROUP
We started out the group by re-reading a book that we had made a couple of years ago. It’s a book that looks at some of the New Year’s traditions that other countries have. Here is the book we read: It’s New Year’s Around The World
We talked about how, in the south, people eat different kinds of foods that are thought to bring good luck.  One of those foods is black eyed peas—-so we decided to make some! While the peas were heating up, we counted out six bowls for the students.
Associate quantities with number name is a math access point.
We talked about how the bowls felt warm after the beans were heated. Not everyone was impressed by the peas, but everyone took at least 1 bite 🙂
Recognize objects or materials as warm or cold is a science access point.
We also had some Nilla Wafers for our students. It was a party after all so we HAD to have something sweet ! The students had to communicate how many cookies they wanted. They could choose to have 1, 2, or 3 cookies.
Associate quantities with number names is a science access point.
Since this was a party, we brought out some Sprite as a drink. This was the first time we brought soda to the group so it was interesting to see the faces our students made! They certainly weren’t expecting anything bubbly 🙂
Indicate desire for more of an action or object, is a math access point.
After our snack, we had “fireworks” using bubble wrap. This is always a hit and so much fun!
We are now ready to take on the new year—–even with snow!!
Happy New Year from Group by Group!