April 3 is National Find a Rainbow Day so this week our unit is filled with COLOR! Each of our sensory boxes were filled with rainbows. Our fine motor groups made colorful rainbow crafts and the language group made an edible rainbow! It was a fabulous week and we had a blast!
SENSORY GROUP
We were pretty pleased with the way our rainbow umbrella turned out! We recycled our little cloud costume from a couple of weeks ago, then added some colorful chenille stems and beads. It was very eye catching and the students loved it.
Recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli is a science access point.
The students were intrigued with the rainbow projected by this rainbow light (thanks Ms. Kim). The rainbow could also be seen when they placed their hands under the light. This was a hit! We also recorded a version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow on a voice output device to add to the experience.
Recognize sources of light is a science access point.
We put some small chenille stems into this box of rainbow pasta. Besides stringing the pasta on the chenille stems, the students also enjoyed the fun sounds the pasta made when swirled around.
Recognize when an object is added to or taken away from a situation is a math access point.
Letter R’s were found buried in our rainbow beans. We used neon food coloring which made these beans especially bright and colorful.
Match objects by an observable property such as size, shape, or color is a science access point.
Lots of rainbow colored items were found in this box. There was one big and two little slinkys, a couple of plush toys, and some accordion tubes which were a HUGE hit!
Recognize that pushing and pulling moves an object is a science access point.
The students also had fun with the funnel and spoon we put into our rainbow rice. They were pretty fascinated watching the rice stream down out of the funnel! We did find that a smaller spoon worked best to prevent the funnel from getting clogged.
Track a falling object is a science access point.
Shaving cream clouds surrounded a laminated rainbow in our messy play—-it made for a really eye catching tray!
Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.
We used Crayola bath color drops to make our water colorful this week. Each class had different colored water which added to the fun. Even more color could be found with multi-colored foam letters that spelled out the word RAINBOW.
The science access point recognize objects in the environment, can be addressed here.
Bath and Body Works rain kissed leaves was the perfect scent for unit on rainbows. It had a nice soft scent that the students really liked whether applied to hands or behind ears!
Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Tuesday we used crepe paper streamers to make rainbows.
Using communication symbols, each student chose a color.
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.
Then they started tearing strips from the streamers—–they needed to tear enough pieces to share with their friends! This is a great activity for strengthening pre-scissor skills.
Recognize a change in the appearance of an object is a science access point.
Paint brushes were used to spread glue around a cloud shape we just free form cut from poster board so each one ended up being a little different.
Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.
To make the clouds really fluffy some fiberfill stuffing was placed on top. The students were pretty intrigued with its texture!
Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.
The adults taped the paper streamers to the back of the clouds, but the students helped “pat” them DOWN.
Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down is a math access point.
TA DA!
We found a rainbow!!!!!
On Wednesday the students made rainbows with coffee filters.
First, using communication symbols, the students identified the shape of their coffee filter.
Recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape is a math access point.
Then they began coloring their coffee filters with water color markers. We encouraged them to use LOTS of different colors.
The science access point identify objects by one observable property, such as color, can be addressed here.
Then they sprayed their coffee filters with water and “scrunched” them up to spread the color around.
They had fun with this part 🙂
Recognize a change in the appearance of an object is a science access point.
TA DA!
We found a rainbow!
Then we found MORE rainbows……..
how cool is that!!!!!
LANGUAGE GROUP
We brought back a food activity that we’ve done before in the past: edible paint on bread! Perfect for a unit on rainbows! We didn’t have a recipe this week since this activity is really easy to put together. Really all you need is milk, food coloring, food safe paintbrushes, white bread, and creativity.
We started out by having each student choose decide which color they wanted to mix. Each student was presented with 2 colors to choose from. Then they communicated “stir” on their communication boards.
We watched the color of the milk turn from white to something colorful! We did this for 6 different colors.
Recognize a change in the appearance of an object is a science access point.
We counted out how many friends we had so that we could pass out paper plates and white bread.
Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.
Once our “paint” was ready, each student had to request what color they wanted using their communication boards. Teachers helped when students needed it by modeling “want __color__” for the students to imitate.
We had so many colorful creations!
Students had to indicate they were “all done” using their communication boards when they were finished painting.
Finally, students got to eat their rainbows! YUM!!!!
Wow, this had to be our most colorful week ever!
Join us again next time for more fun and learning—–Group by Group!