October 12 is National Vermont Day! Our sensory groups explored boxes related to facts about the state. The fine motor groups crafted symbols of Vermont and the language group made a tasty treat inspired by the state fruit!
SENSORY GROUP
Lots to discover here, such as items that were related to various industries, including dairy, sheep, and lumber found in Vermont. Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and IBM are also located there!
The little lamb puppet was a big hit.
Science access point: recognize a model of a real object.
InstaSnow looks and feels like the real thing so we made our own Vermont winter wonderland!
We had one BIG and one SMALL scoop as well as a small shove—all for scooping fun!
Math access point: recognize differences in size of objects.
Apple pie is the state food of Vermont!
We made apple pie scented play dough and added a circle cookie cutter, decorative wheel, and a plate so the students could make their own pies!
Science access point: apply a push to move an object.
We found out that two presidents, Chester Arthur and Grover Cleveland, were from Vermont——how cool is that!
For this box, we used our patriotic rice. There were pictures of the presidents underneath and 4 letter V’s to find.
Science access point: match objects with properties, such as size, shape, color, or texture.
John Deere came from Vermont and this box is dedicated to him! There was a big green tractor and some carrots to plant in the box of play dirt.
The play dirt has a really cool texture and was fun to pack down while rolling the tractor over it.
Science access point: track the movement of objects that are pushed or pulled.
Vermont is known for its maple syrup! We made our oobleck more slime like this week to get that syrupy consistency.
Brown and yellow food coloring were used in an attempt to get that maple syrup color—-we are not sure we succeeded lol but fortunately the students didn’t mind 🙂
Science access point: track objects in motion.
Brook trout and Walleye are state fish. The two little fish found in our water play lake weren’t very realistic looking, but still fun to catch!
There were also two different sized measuring cups for scooping fun.
Science access point: recognize differences in objects.
Bath and Body Works vanilla sugar has a scent similar to maple syrup. We used it in our water and lotion this week.
Rubbed on necks, arms, hands, or ears—-it left our students smelling especially yummy this week!
Science access point: recognize one or more external body parts.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Tuesday we made green mountains—-Vermont is known as the Green Mountain State!
First, we identified the shape and color of our mountain.
Math access point: recognize a two-dimensional shape.
Science access point: identify objects by one observable property, such as color.
Then, the students used paper cutters and switch operated scissors to cut their triangles.
Science access point: recognize a change in the appearance of an object.
The triangle mountains and title were glued down on to a blue background paper.
Math access point: recognize an object is added to a situation.
TA DA!!!
Let’s visit Vermont!
On Wednesday we made maple trees!
First, we identified the paint colors we were using.
Science access point: Science access point: identify objects by one observable property, such as color.
Next, we counted out 4 leaves (precut using the Ellison machine).
Math access point: associate quantities with number names.
We put drops of each of our colors on the leaves and the students began painting.
Science access point: recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move.
The students glued the leaves ON their trees (drawn by one of our fabulous volunteers!)
Math access point: recognize an object is added to a situation.
TA DA!!!
The leaves are changing colors….
……welcome to fall in Vermont!
LANGAUAGE GROUP
Since apples are the state fruit of Vermont and the state pie is apple pie, we decided to make apple pie in a cup! Here is the recipe we used: Let’s Make Apple Pie In A Cup
We started by making some homemade whipped cream. We measured out some heavy whipping cream. We observed that it was a liquid.
Each student then got to help TURN on the mixer. The whipped cream took some time to firm up, so after each student’s turn, we LOOKED in the bowl to see if we needed to mix MORE or if we were ALL DONE.
Once some peaks were forming, we added some vanilla and confectioners’ sugar. The students had to identify the BIGGER measuring spoon when a teaspoon and a tablespoon were presented to them. Once the ingredients were in, our students mixed AGAIN.
When the whipped cream was ALL DONE, we put it aside and started on our apple pie cups. Each student got one graham cracker in a bag and they had to crush it up.
They did this lots of different ways and had some fun with it 🙂
When the crackers were crushed up, they put them IN their cup. Next, they had to request diced apples. If they weren’t given very many, they had to request MORE.
We topped that off with 2 spoonfuls of cinnamon applesauce. Each student had to count out their spoonfuls to make sure they got the correct amount.
Finally, we topped it off with our whipped cream.
An easy, healthy, and delicious way to celebrate Vermont Day!
Join us next time for more fun and learning—–Group by Group!
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