Since our school wide theme this year is Lights! Camera! Action!, this unit is movie themed and we focused on live action kids movies. The sensory groups explored boxes related to specific movies. The fine motor groups made movie themed art projects and the language group watched movie clips.
SENSORY GROUP
Our Jumanji umbrella was a hit with the students! There was a little pop-up screen (ours was actually just an index card)from the movie that listed a character’s strength and weaknesses.
Music from the movie was recorded on a voice output device and there was a cute monkey finger puppet to add to the fun.
Pressing the voice output device allows the students to observe and recognize a predictable cause-effect relationship related to a science topic is a science access point.
This Star Wars box had a lot of fun items including some character items and figures. We also included a Darth Vader mask and a small light saber that made noise and flashed lights—-very cool!
The language access point identify characters or objects in familiar stories can be addressed here.
We made our own little Jurassic Park with kinetic sand and some plastic dinosaurs. There were also some plastic plants and rocks.
Recognize objects related to science by name, such as animal or plant can be addressed here.
There were lots of fun things to explore in this box!
There were 4 letter P’s to find in our Pink Power Ranger sand. We also included a fun sifter scoop.
Track a falling object is a science access point.
Indiana Jones may not like SNAKES, but our students sure had fun finding the 5 we hid in this box of lentils.
The lentils not only looked cool but were so much fun to run hands and fingers through!
Match objects with similar observable properties such as color, is a science access point.
There was a fun Superman toy to fly around in the fluffy shaving cream clouds on our messy play tray.
Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
There were little duck pirates floating around in our little Caribbean Sea. Of course, we used our old aquarium “shipwreck” to help set the scene. Fun scoop and pour fun to be had here.
Recognize differences in the sizes of containers that hold liquids is a math access point that can be addressed here.
It was hard coming up with a scent for this week—-since we don’t have any popcorn scented lotion 🙂 We decided to use Bath and Body Works moonlit path scent. Many action movies have night scenes, so we thought it kind of worked……
The students liked the scent and did a great job of using the communication boards to indicate where they wanted it placed.
Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Wednesday we made our own Hollywood Walk of Fame!
Using communication symbols, the students identified a star.
Recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape is a math access point.
Then they used glue spreaders to spread glue all over the star. We just got these in and they worked pretty well!
Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
Next, we sang our glitter song while adding gold glitter to the star. Shake shake shake that glitter 🙂
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
The students added their picture to the middle of the star, then glued that down on to a piece of grey paper.
Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.
TA DA!!
Our very own Hollywood stars!
On Thursday the student made movie posters using this:Jurassic Park
First, using communication symbols the students identified the shape of their paper.
Recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape is a math access point.
Then they chose the 3 colors they were going to use to color their poster (a free dinosaur coloring page we printed out).
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.
The students used either crayons or markers to decorate their posters. We had to remind some of them to use all 3 colors.
Recognize a change in the appearance of an object is a science access point.
Then they glued THEMSELVES on to their poster and the poster on to the marquee!
Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.
TA DA!!
LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!
LANGUAGE GROUP
Since our theme is all about movies this week we had to watch a movie! Of course, if you watch a movie you have to MAKE popcorn!!!!
First, we had to OPEN the box.
We counted 3 bags and decided that since we have a small class 1 bag would be enough for everyone.
One of the students got to HELP microwave the popcorn—-closely supervised of course!
While we were waiting for the popcorn to cook we drank some soda (flavored sparkling water). We took the can out of the refrigerator and the students touched it and told us whether it was COLD or WARM.
Recognize objects as warm or cold is a science access point.
After they tasted the soda, the students let us know whether they LIKED it or DID NOT LIKE it. Most of the students thought it tasted pretty good…..
others not so much 🙂
After the popcorn was cooked we let the bag cool for a bit, so it was safe to touch then asked the students whether it was WARM or COLD.
Again, recognize objects as warm or cold is a science access point.
We counted out bowls and then put a little popcorn in each bowl. The students used communication symbols or verbalized if they wanted MORE popcorn in their bowls.
Indicate desire for more of an object is a math access point.
Finally! Time to kick back, eat some popcorn, and watch the movie!
This language group was a HIT!
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