We are celebrating National Read Across America which was on March 2 by talking about some of our favorite books! The sensory groups explored boxes related to different books. The fine motor groups made projects based on book characters and the language group made a tasty book themed treat!

 

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

National Read Across America is also known as Dr. Seuss Day, so a Cat in the Hat box was a must this week!

 

 

 

 

The students sorted red and white (the colors of the cat’s hat) pom poms.

 

Science access point: match objects by one observable property, such as color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pete the Cat is another favorite cat around here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cookie cutter letters C A T and a cat shaped cookie cutter were used in blue moon sand.

Science access point: apply a push to move an object.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This book themed box contained a variety of items to discover and explore such as a “Harry Potter” wand, truffula tree top (aka a cheerleader pompom), and a Goodnight Moon bunny.

 

 

 

 

We recorded a musical version of the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom story on a voice output and the students loved it but….

……the wand was the BIG hit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Language access point: identify characters or objects in familiar stories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our colorful butterfly and caterpillar pasta was very eye catching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were 2 sparkly butterflies—–and one very hungry caterpillar 🙂

Math access point: recognize two objects that are identical to each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte’s web was made using silver garland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We included 3 fluffy spiders. One of them vibrated after a string was pulled—so much fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Math access point: recognize objects that are the same size or color.

 

 

 

 

 

The students gave Aslan the lion (from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) a fluffy shaving cream mane.

 

 

 

 

 

The students mixed in the yellow food coloring.

Science access point: recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rainbow fish inspired our water play this week. We used Crayola bath drops to make the water really colorful and very eye catching!

 

 

 

 

There were lots of colorful fish and a funnel.

Science access point: track objects in motion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bath and Body Works hot cocoa scented lotion had a really yummy aroma.

 

 

 

 

 

Definitely Willy Wonka approved!

Science access point: recognize one or more external body parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday, we channeled Harold and the Purple Crayon!

First, the students identified the color PURPLE.

Science access point: identify objects by one observable property, such as color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, they drew their own purple masterpieces. For our students, the vibrant visual feedback and low friction make markers easier to use than crayons.

 

 

 

Some of the students used a switch to access their drawing tools.

Science access point: recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move.

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

See what we made………..with our purple markers!

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday, the students made Charlotte’s Web! We got this idea from Pinterest.

First, the students glued 3 words on their web.

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, they cut lengths of yarn and began winding it around the paper plate webs.

We precut notches in the plates to make things easier for the students.

 

 

 

 

Math access point: solve problems involving small quantities of actions using language, such as enough, took much, or more.

 

 

 

 

 

We added a little spider.

Math access point: match one object to a designated space to show one-to-one correspondence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Charlotte’s Web!

Radiant!!!!!!!!       Fun!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stupendous!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

We made a treat that we think even Willy Wonka would enjoy!  Here is the recipe that we made: Let’s Make Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Mousse

We started by measuring out some heavy whipping cream.  We needed 1 1/2 cups so the student who HELPED had to LOOK at the measuring cup and indicate whether we needed MORE or we were ALL DONE measuring it out.  Then they poured it in the bowl.

Math access point: solve problems involving small quantities of objects or actions using language, such as enough, too much, or more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a few students HELP with the mixer using the wireless switch.

It’s so fun to watch our students who get all excited when they realize that they are the ones turning the mixer on 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we were mixing, we observed to see whether the whipping cream was THICK or THIN.  When it thickened up, we added some powdered sugar.

 

 

 

Our students had to indicate the 1/4 measuring cup by showing us the LITTLE measuring cup.

Math access point: recognize similarities and differences in size of common objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We used a new cooking tool this week: a sifter.  A student HELPED sift the cocoa powder into the bowl.  They seemed to like seeing the cocoa powder being PUT in the top and coming out the bottom.

 

Science access point: track objects in motion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We used the mixer again to mix it all up and the mousse formed pretty quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We counted out cups for each student.  They requested some mousse and then we added some toppings.

 

 

 

 

Each student got just a little bit of whipped cream.  They had to request MORE or indicate that they were ALL DONE.  We did the same with the strawberries.

 

 

 

 

 

This was a great chocolatey treat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join us next time for more fun and learning—–Group by Group!

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