Out of This World is our school wide theme this year! So we are all about outer space theme this week! The students had fun learning about planets and stars with our sensory, gross motor, fine motor, and language activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SENSORY

Our outer space umbrella was very eye catching and a hit with the students! There were stars, constellations, planets, and a big yellow sun to find.

 

 

 

 

 

Science access point: recognize a space related object.

 

 

 

 

 

Colorful Floam got molded into planets and asteroids!

They really had fun with this!

 

 

 

 

 

Math access point: recognize common three-dimensional objects, such as spheres.

 

 

 

 

 

The students used star or moon shaped cookie cutters to make impressions in “Mars” red or “Jupiter” blue moon sand.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

We printed out and laminated some pictures of planets and astronauts to mix in with our black “outer space” kinetic sand.

We ordered our kinetic sand from Amazon.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Large silver glitter looked like stars swirling around the oobleck Milky Way.

Oobleck is made from cornstarch and water and easily done at home too!

 

 

 

 

Science access point: track objects in motion.

 

 

 

 

 

Hands were rinsed in “clouds of Venus” water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Science access point: recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli.

 

 

 

 

 

We finished with a “to the stars” lotion from Bath and Body Works. It had an out of this world aroma 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

GROSS MOTOR

For the gross motor activity this week, there were several options.

For our students whom are ambulatory or can self-propel their wheelchairs, we made an obstacle course using round sound steps and rings/hoops for them to work on stepping up on the steps and then transitioning to stepping into/out of the hoop.  Our students using wheelchairs, worked on self-propelling their wheelchairs in a weaving pattern around the round sound steps and hoops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For our non-ambulatory students, we worked on reaching for a ball while in a supported sitting position to address balance, trunk control, and head control.  We also worked catching/throwing ball activities while in supported sitting positions, tall kneeling, or standing.

At home, you could make an obstacle course using items around the house such as, step stools, pillows, hula hoops, etc. to practice stepping up/down, over, or around obstacles.  You can also work on catching, throwing, or kicking a ball.

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR

For project one, our students painted paper plate planets with glow in the dark paint!

First, they identified the shape of the paper plate either verbally or by using communication symbols.

Math access point: recognize object with two-dimensional shapes, such as a circle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then,  identified their paint color and started painting.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the students finished painting, they held their plates under a black light—so cool!

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!

 

 

 

 

 

For project two, the students made rockets out of cardboard tubes.

First, they identified the shape of their paper and colored it using either markers or crayons.

Math access point: recognize object with two-dimensional shapes, such as a rectangle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, they glued and rolled the paper around the cardboard tube.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, they cut a square into two triangles and attached them to the tube using glue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Science access point: recognize a change in the appearance of an object.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A picture of our little astronauts and a nose cone was glued on to the tube.

Math access point: recognize when an object is added to a situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To infinity and beyond!

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE 

We became astronauts today and made some astronaut pudding!  Here’s the recipe we used: Let’s Make Astronaut Pudding

We started out by sanitizing everyone’s hands.  Then each student got a ziploc bag.

They first had to request the pudding mix.  Since it required the use of both a tablespoon and a teaspoon, we got to practice working on BIG and LITTLE.  We talked about the tablespoon being BIG and the teaspoon being LITTLE.

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

 

 

 

 

We counted out ONE tablespoon and TWO teaspoons of pudding mix.  If we only gave the student one teaspoon, they had to request MORE.

Math access point: indicate desire for more of an action or object.

We did the same with the powdered milk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, students got to choose which color they WANTED their pudding to be: red, white, or blue.  If they chose red or blue, they had to HELP count out 3 drops of food coloring.

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

 

 

 

 

 

After that, they had to request water.  Staff helped as the water was poured into the bags.  We then made sure the ziploc bags were sealed closed.

Students then got to squish and squeeze their bags so the pudding would set.  It takes a minute so if it seems like it’s going to be a drippy mess, give it a little time.

Once the pudding set, we cut a corner of the bag and our students SQUEEZED the pudding into a cup to eat.

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

Some notes: we put the food coloring in before the water, but it might work a little better after the water is put in.  Also, put a little less than 1/2 a cup of water.  This turned out to be both a snack AND an experiment 🙂

 

 

 

It was a truly out of this world week! Join us again for more fun and learning—-Group by Group!