Category Archives: Education

Jan7

New Years

Posted on January 7, 2018 by jd785

It’s been an interesting start to the year for us—–we had an actual SNOW day! Snow is a pretty rare commodity around here so there was quite a bit of excitement as you can imagine. Due to the start of the semester and the snow day our week has been pretty short but we did manage to have 3 groups for our New Year’s themed unit. Happy 2018!

SENSORY GROUP

In the south we eat black eyed peas for luck on New Year’s day. This box of dried peas contained the numbers 2-0-1-8 for the students to find.

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.

In the Chinese New Year, 2018 will be the year of the dog—–how cool is that! Since red is a considered a lucky color we used red moon sand to go with our dog shaped cookie cutter. Moon sand has a soft texture but is moldable which makes it perfect for this activity.

Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

The students had fun scooping and sifting sand using the tools we included in this “sands of time” box. It was also a great opportunity to practice bilateral skills!

The science access point track a falling object can be addressed here.

Lots of people have parties this time of year so we had a box of colorful party beads for the students to wear and explore. Also, lots of fun to shake!

Track objects in motion is a science access point.

Fireworks are a big part of the New Year’s celebrations. Our fireworks light show toy was a hit with the students. It made some pretty authentic fireworks sounds and projected small pictures—-very cool!

Recognize and respond to different types of sensory stimuli is a science access point.

There was some shiny and colorful confetti to swirl around in shaving cream this week.

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.

The students had fun scooping the numbers 2-0-1-8 from our “bubbly” (from Philosophy) scented water.

Identify objects by one observable property (in this case floating or sinking) is a science access point.

Bath and BodyWorks has a scent called “midnight”—-perfect for a New Year’s unit! The students really liked the scent.

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

We finished our group we some bubble wrap fireworks—-so much fun!

Recognize that pushing or pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

We made some fireworks pictures this week!

First, we identified our paint color using communication symbols.

Identify objects by one observable property,such as color, is a science access point.

After dipping our paint tool in the paint, the students stamped UP and DOWN to make their fireworks. Our tool was made by fringing a piece of craft foam, folding it in half, rolling it up, and then securing it with a rubber band.

Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down, is a science access point.

Then they added some gold glitter—–got to have some sparkle 🙂

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

TA——– ooh aah——– Da!

FIREWORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LANGUAGE GROUP

We started out the group by re-reading a book that we had made a couple of years ago. It’s a book that looks at some of the New Year’s traditions that other countries have. Here is the book we read: It’s New Year’s Around The World

We talked about how, in the south, people eat different kinds of foods that are thought to bring good luck. One of those foods is black eyed peas—-so we decided to make some! While the peas were heating up, we counted out six bowls for the students.

Associate quantities with number name is a math access point.

We talked about how the bowls felt warm after the beans were heated. Not everyone was impressed by the peas, but everyone took at least 1 bite 🙂

Recognize objects or materials as warm or cold is a science access point.

We also had some Nilla Wafers for our students. It was a party after all so we HAD to have something sweet ! The students had to communicate how many cookies they wanted. They could choose to have 1, 2, or 3 cookies.

Associate quantities with number names is a science access point.

Since this was a party, we brought out some Sprite as a drink. This was the first time we brought soda to the group so it was interesting to see the faces our students made! They certainly weren’t expecting anything bubbly 🙂

Indicate desire for more of an action or object, is a math access point.

After our snack, we had “fireworks” using bubble wrap. This is always a hit and so much fun!

We are now ready to take on the new year—–even with snow!!

Happy New Year from Group by Group!

Nov5

Day of the Dead book

Posted on November 5, 2017 by jd785

Day of the Dead book

We’re celebrating Day of the Dead this week in our groups. We learned a lot about this Mexican holiday! We learned that it is a time to celebrate and remember those loved ones who have died. We also read about some of the things that are put out on the altars that are created for the loved ones. Two of our own students got into the spirit of Day of the Dead by dressing up in costumes that might be seen during the Day of the Dead. Read our book to find out about it!

Here is the link to the book: We Celebrate Day Of The Dead

Nov5

Day of the Dead

Posted on November 5, 2017 by jd785

Day of the Dead

We had fun learning about Day of the Dead this week. It is a holiday celebrated November 1st and 2nd in Mexico. Our sensory groups explored boxes related to different facts about the holiday. The fine motor groups and language group made art projects inspired by sugar skulls!

SENSORY GROUP

The students sorted pompoms in the colors of the Mexican flag—–red, green, and white.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

These eye catching beans reminded us of all the colorful decorations and costumes seen in pictures of Day of the Dead celebrations.

The students searched for letter D’s of different sizes or watched them sift through fingers.

Recognize differences in size of objects is a math access point.

This box had different items related to Day of the Dead. We put in some toy people and the word FAMILY since the holiday is all about ancestors. There were also some flower petals, beads, skeletons, and musical instruments—-including a maraca that named colors and numbers in Spanish when shaken!

Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.

Salt, representing the “salt of life”, is also a part of the celebration. In this box we put salt and some tools the students could use to explore it. There was also a picture of a calaveras or sugar skull to find underneath.

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move, is a science access point. Track objects in motion is another science access point that can be addressed here.

Lots of candles are placed on altars during the Day of the Dead. Since we can’t use real candles at school, we used our Wikki Stix and some light toys to simulate them.

The students really had a lot of fun with this box!

Some of the students preferred the Wikki Stix…….

but the lighted toys were also a big hit of course!

Recognize a source of light is a science access point.

Colorful flowers are seen everywhere during Day of the Dead celebrations. Our students used a flower shaped cookie cutter with red and yellow play dough to decorate this eye catching sugar skull tray we found at the Dollar General store.

Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

There were some fun lighted flowers to look at in our water basin this week. We also included some different sized scoops.

Recognize differences in containers that hold liquids is a math access point.

Bath and BodyWorks vanilla sugar was the perfect scent for us this week. This sweet scent is always popular with the students—-whether rubbed on hands, arms, or behind ears!

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday the students decorated a sugar skull picture we found on the Coloring Castle website.

We also used some stampers we made using dish scrubbers and craft foam flowers.

First the students chose which color paint to start, either RED or YELLOW, using communication symbols.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

We applied the paint to the stampers and encouraged the students to stamp UP and DOWN, helping them as needed.

Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship is a math access point.

Ta Da!!!!!

Check out our sugar skulls!

On Wednesday the students decorated these huge felt sugar skulls we found at the Dollar Tree store. Since they were one dollar a piece it was a little bit of a splurge for us but we couldn’t resist!

First, using communication symbols, the students identified the colors of the glitter we planned to use.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

Then the students painted their skulls with glue.

Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

Time to “shake, shake, shake that glitter”!

The science access point recognize an action as fast or slow, can be addressed here.

Next they glued some silk flowers onto their skulls. After each flower was glued down we asked the students if they were “all done” or wanted “more”. Of course, we also counted how many flowers each student put on their skull.

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.

Ta DA!!!!!!

Such colorful calaveras!

LANGUAGE GROUP

We put our own spin on edible calaveras this week and made our version of sugar skulls. Here’s the recipe: Lets Make Our Version Of Sugar Skulls

We started out by pouring some milk into a small cup and then made it edible paint by adding food coloring. Our students got to STIR the food coloring around and watched as it turned our white milk different colors.

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

Once the “paint” was all mixed up, we counted out how many plates and pieces of bread we needed for all of our friends. Each student got to paint a piece of bread, requesting the colors they wanted using communication boards.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

After they finished painting their bread, we started to make the face. We had to count out 2 banana slices for the eyes. We talked about how the eyes had to go on the TOP of the bread. Then we counted out 2 blueberries to put on TOP of the banana slices.

Next, we added the nose. Each student got 1 half of a strawberry. We talked about how the strawberry goes in the MIDDLE of the bread.

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

Finally, we used 5 miniature marshmallows for the teeth. Students had to indicate that they needed MORE marshmallows if they did not receive the correct amount. We talked about how the marshmallows go on the BOTTOM of the bread.

Associate quantities with number names and identify spatial relationships, are both math access points.

Wow!! These turned out great and were lots of fun to make.

Pretty tasty too!

We enjoyed learning about Dia de los Muertos this week and hope you did too.

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

Nov5

October After Party

Posted on November 5, 2017 by jd785

October After Party

Welcome to the After Party! Each week after the weekly blog featuring activities in the elementary department is posted, our sensory cart is parked in the media center where it is available for check out by the rest of the school.

Here are photos teachers have sent of their students exploring the different sensory boxes during the months of October 2017.

We started the month learning about Johnny Appleseed.

Our apple tree umbrella was a big hit!

The students sorted red, white, and green pompom apples.

They did a great job.

They looked for the letter A, in green rice with black bean apple seeds.

They stamped apple shapes in red moon sand and drew apples in green shaving foam.

A small watering can was a fun way to rinse the shaving foam off hands!

Next we learned about Charlie Brown and the rest of the characters in Peanuts.

The students explored the concepts of hard (like Schroeder’s piano) and soft (like Linus’ blanket) in this box.

They made clouds out of white Floam for Snoopy the Red Baron.

They wore some Joe Cool sunglasses and…

made zig zag patterns with fluffy chenille stems in the colors of Charlie Brown’s shirt.

The students found the letter P in our water play and had a blast finger painting in real pumpkin puree!

This was MESSY 🙂

We learned about the country of Colombia. One of our teachers is from that fabulous country and shared great photos for our book.

The students learned about the different regions of the country including the Amazon rainforest region.

There are lots of beautiful beaches in Colombia.

Ours had a variety of shells to discover in the sand.

The students really enjoyed our Insta Snow box representing the snow capped mountains.

Real emeralds are mined in Colombia. Since we didn’t have any real emeralds on hand, we let the students do some mining in our emerald green kinetic sand.

Colombia is world famous for its coffee and the students were very intrigued by both he aroma and texture of our box of coffee beans.

Shaving cream “lava” erupting from a volcano was a hit with the students.

Hands were rinsed in a mini ocean filled with fish.

Our Fall Festival was so much fun that we dedicated our next unit to all the fun of fall.

We brought out our colorful fall umbrella which is always a hit with the students.

There was a bubble machine at our festival so we added some bubbles to our cart.

Everyone loves bubbles 🙂

There were letter F’s to find in our “chili” beans.

Leaves to cut out of orange play dough and….

some fun chocolate cloud dough to explore!

We finished the month with a Monsters in Movies unit!

The “Hotel Transylvania” umbrella was a big hit.

Very eye catching!

Also eye catching was our purple kinetic sand in our “Descendants” box.

They also discovered a variety of movie characters in this box.

The students had fun making their own Frankenstein monsters using green Floam and Mr. Potato head parts.

They made Scooby Doo snacks out of blue Bubber.

Shaving foam was perfect for making some ghosts like Casper.

Messy hands were rinsed in a Pirates of the Caribbean lagoon!

Lots of fun!

Thanks for joining us———-see you next time!

Oct29

Monsters in Movies book

Posted on October 29, 2017 by jd785

Monsters in Movies book

We have a pretty spooky book this week for our monsters in movies theme! We’ve got monsters from Pirates of the Caribbean, from Monsters, Inc., and from Scooby Doo, plus a few more. You’ve got to check out the book to see which other ones are featured. We have our awesome students in this book and they are dressed as some of these scary, sometimes silly, monsters. Check it out!

Here is a link to the book: Look At The Monsters In Movies

Oct29

Monsters in Movies

Posted on October 29, 2017 by jd785

Monsters in Movies

We had so much fun with this unit! Our book is awesome and the students had a great time dressing up as different characters so be sure to check it out. Our sensory groups explored boxes related to different movie monsters. The fine motor groups made some monster art projects and the language group conducted some monster experiments!

SENSORY GROUP

To set the mood, we turned off the lights and brought out our Hotel Transylvania umbrella. It had orange lights, ghostly garland, and some little bats. The students loved it!

The science access point recognize a model of a real object can be addressed here

We filled this “monster” box of black and red paper shred with figures, finger puppets, a plush Scooby Doo, and a great BIG squeaky rat! The students rocked out to The Monster Mash recorded on a voice output device. Lots of things to look at, touch, listen to, and explore!

Recognize and respond to different types of sensory stimuli is a science access point.

For our Frankenstein box we used green Floam and then added Mr. Potato Head pieces and some laminated props we made. The students came up with some monstrously cool creations!

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point that can be addressed here.

Bubber is a great molding substance, perfect for making Scooby snacks! The students could use the bone shaped cookie cutter or just mold the Bubber into whatever shapes they liked.

Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

The character Mal, from The Descendants, has purple hair. We decided our purple kinetic sand would be PERFECT for this box. We included a heart shaped scoop that could be used for a mold and a little rake. Whether pushing and pulling to make it move or just watching it drip back down into the box—–this stuff is always a favorite!Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.

The students used pieces cut from black craft foam to turn shaving foam into ghosts. Messy fun as usual.

Track the movement of objects that are pushed or pulled is a science access point.

Our caribbean pirate lagoon contained a shipwreck and a couple of ducky pirates. There were also 2 different size scoops for added fun.

Recognize differences in sizes of containers that hold liquids is a math access point.

We thought that Bath and BodyWorks twilight woods scent would be the perfect complement to our unit this week. They really loved the scent!

Recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday the students made some monster masks using this: monster mask

We asked the students to choose which marker they wanted to use first. We took a cue from the colors of Sully from Monsters Inc. and used the colors BLUE and PURPLE.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

Some of our students used the writer we made using a switch operated vibrating toy, others decorated their masks old school—-with markers 🙂

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

TA DA!

Such cute little monsters!

On Wednesday we made some paper bag mummies! We found the idea on Pinterest.

First the students identified the color of our marker using communication symbols.

Match objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

We asked the students to use their black markers to draw ACROSS lines on the bag. Then they glued a strip of torn black paper at the TOP of the bag.

Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, is a math access point.

Next we squeezed 2 glue dots on the black piece of paper and asked the students to put a googlie eye on each dot.

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point. Match one object to a designated space to show one-to-one correspondence is also a math access point.

Ta DA!!!

It’s a Mummy Monster Mash!

LANGUAGE GROUP

This week, instead of making yummy treats, we put together some pretty awesome monster experiments. Here are the ones that we used with the directions: Let_s Do Monster Experiments!

Since the pumpkin was cut beforehand, we had the innards of the pumpkin in a bag. We passed it around so our students could feel what the insides of pumpkins are like. Since it had been in the fridge it also felt COLD.

Recognize objects or materials as warm or cold, is a science access point.

We started out by making an Erupting Pumpkin. First, we put some baking soda in a small bowl.

Next, we added some dish soap to the bowl.

Recognize when an object is added to a situation, is a math access point.

Our students voted between 2 different colors of food coloring. The choice was a tie, so Grandma had to break it by voting for PINK. We added the food coloring and some glitter.

Compare quantities to 3 using language, such as more, less, or the same, is math access point. Communicate preference for familiar objects or actions is a language access point.

We put the bowl in a carved out pumpkin (thank you to Cara’s son and daughter for creating the faces for the pumpkin). We poured some vinegar in it and watched it erupt!

WAY COOL!!!!!

For our next experiment, we made some Monster Slime.

We started by putting 1/2 cup of glue in a bowl. Then we added 1/2 cup of water to the glue.

We put in some slimy green food coloring and, of course, some glitter! We made sure to stir it up really well. We talked about how it was thin and watery.

Solve simple problems involving joining small quantities of objects is a math access point

Then we added the liquid starch. When we began stirring it around, it almost instantly started firming up. We transferred it to a plate so the students could see how it changed to a solid.

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

We added some googly eyes and voila! Monster slime!

There were mixed reactions about it all around 🙂

Last, we made an Expanding Ghost.

We put some vinegar into an empty water bottle. Then we put some baking soda into a balloon that had a ghost face on it.

Again, the math access point recognize when an object is added to a situation, is addressed.

We secured the balloon over the top of the bottle and then turned the balloon over so that the baking soda fell into the bottle.

WOW!! The balloon got bigger as the reaction happened in the bottle. Our students also got to feel the bottle which was COLD from the reaction.

So much spooky fun!

We had a MONSTER good time this week! Join us again next time for more fun and learning——-Group by Group!

Oct22

Fall Festival book

Posted on October 22, 2017 by jd785

Fall Festival book

Our school recently had the annual fall festival, so we decided to keep the celebration going by dedicating our theme to fall festivals. Our book contains pictures from the festival. There were lots of fun activities like face painting, hay rides, fun games, and yummy food. Take a look at the fun we had!

Here is a link to the book: Let_s Go To The Fall Festival!

Oct22

Fall Festival

Posted on October 22, 2017 by jd785

Fall Festival

It is that time of year when the leaves start changing color and the days are cooler—-everywhere else but here lol. Despite the fact that it still feels like summer, our school had a fabulous fall festival and we are using it as our theme this week. The sensory groups explored lots colorful boxes. The fine motor groups made some leafy crafts and the language group led a costume parade inviting all their elementary friends to a mini fall festival.

SENSORY GROUP

We filled this box with items associated with fall and things you might see at a fall festival such as silk fall leaves, pumpkins, play food, and scarecrows. We even included a little tractor to pull a hay ride!

Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.

There was a chili cook-off at our festival and since chili usually contains beans, we brought out our dried mixed beans for this box.

We added some Bingo Game numbers for the students to find.

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.

This orange rice with black beans was also a perfect box for this unit. The students searched for letter F’s and there was a colorful fall picture to find at the bottom of the box.

Recognize objects that are identical to each other is a science access point.

Instead of 1 color of play dough, this week we had 2! The students had fun using a leaf shaped cookie cutter to cut out yellow and red leaves. When mixed together we even get a third color—-orange!

Apply a push to move an object is science access point.

This fall umbrella is one of our favorites. The yellow umbrella with the colorful craft foam and silk leaves was very eye catching and a big hit with the students. To add to the fun we included some eye-catching bubbles—-just like the bubbles we had at our festival!

Track objects in motion is a science access point.

There are always lots of yummy treats to be had at a fall festival. To represent all the yumminess, we made some chocolate cloud dough. Fun for molding or scooping, the students had a blast!

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move, is a science access point.

The students used a sieve to scoop up craft foam leaves or a little orange dish scrubber floating in the water.

Match objects by one observable property, such as shape, is a science access point.

Bath and BodyWorks made the perfect scent for this week—–pumpkin pie paradise! A yummy scent that left our students smelling delicious 🙂

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday we made a fall collage.

First, we identified the color of our fall leaves using communication symbols.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

Then we made some branches and twigs using brown markers. Some of the students used one of our switch operated writers we made using a switch toy and some velcro.

Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

After they finished drawing, the students glued some leaves onto their branches. They also glued on a little scarecrow that they colored earlier in the day.

Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down, is a math access point.

TA DA!

We are having some fall fun!

On Wednesday we made a tree with colorful fall leaves using this:tree template

The students identified the color of the leaves and the shape of our paper using communication symbols.

Match objects by one observable property such, such as color, is a science access point. Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes, such as circle or square, is a math access point.

We used a crayon resist technique by painting watered down orange paint over brown crayon.

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.

Then the students placed a paper towel on top to soak up the extra paint.

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

Next, they glued some colorful silk leaves on to their trees.

Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.

TaDa!

Happy Fall Ya’ll!

LANGUAGE GROUP

This week our students led their friends on a costume parade around the elementary building to the multi-use room we had set up for a fall festival.

First everyone had to pick our their costumes. Ms. Robin’s class decided on a pirates theme!

Adjust body movement or nonverbal expression with prompting as necessary to communicate wants and needs, is a language access point.

The students were pretty pleased with their selections and we think they looked pretty grrrrrreat!

Ahoy mateys!

The students set sail, inviting all their friends to join the fun!!

Other classes dressed up too—–we had some dwarves, good witches, and……..

……….a pack of dalmatians!

We recently got this really cool wheelchair tunnel which we brought out for the first time! To give it a kind of “fun house” feel, we attached a rope light to the top—–very eye catching to our students.

We talked about going IN the tunnel and coming OUT of the tunnel.

This was a hit!!!

It wouldn’t be a fall festival without some yummy treats!

To tell us what they wanted, our students used communication symbols. They formed sentences by indicating “I want ___ please” . There was a communication strip at each different food or drink so that they could request what they wanted. Adults helped, as needed, pointing to the symbols to model the use of them or providing hand over had help for those who need a bit more assistance.

The photo booth was a hit!

Our little pirates sure put on a fabulous fall festival!

It was a wonderful time to socialize and practice our communication skills! The costumes were a major perk 🙂

We had such a fun week! Join us next time for more fun and learning——Group by Group!

Oct15

Colombia book

Posted on October 15, 2017 by jd785

Colombia book

We are learning about the country Colombia this week! This is the home country of one of our amazing teachers, Maria. We learned a lot about this country including some things that are exported from there as well as all of the different types of habitats there are. It seems like a VERY cool place and we’ve already asked Maria if we can travel there with her the next time she visits 🙂 Take a look and see what you can learn about Colombia!

Here is a link to the book: Let’s Learn About Colombia!

Oct15

Colombia

Posted on October 15, 2017 by jd785

Colombia

Hola—-we learned about the country of Colombia this week, thanks to Ms. Maria who is from Colombia and traveled there this past summer! Our sensory groups explored boxes related to facts about Colombia. The fine motor groups practiced their cutting skills while making Colombian symbols and the language group prepared a tasty Colombian treat!

SENSORY GROUP

Colombia has made different regions including a rainforest. We made our own little rainforest with vines, flowers, fruit, and a variety of animals you might find there. The fluffy plush sloth and big orange frog were big hits.

Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.

The Andes run through Colombia and some of the summits are permanently snow-capped. The students had lots of fun digging and making snow balls in this box of Insta Snow. This stuff feels a lot like real snow—-but not quite as cold!

Use senses to recognize objects is a science access point.

Colombia is world famous for its coffee! There was a measuring spoon for scooping and letter C’s to find hidden in some very aromatic coffee beans.

Match objects by one observable property, such as size, shape, or color, is a science access point.

Colombia is also famous for the emeralds that are mined there. We thought our sparkly emerald green kinetic sand would be a good representation of those precious gems and we added a rolling play dough toy that left some cool “gem like” impressions in the sand.

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move, is a science access point.

Colombia has some beautiful beaches—-it borders both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans! In this sand filled box there were shells and a shovel. There was also a picture of a jaguar to find at the bottom of the box.

Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

There are active volcanos in Colombia! For our messy play we made our own volcanos using shaving cream and food coloring. The students were pretty fascinated watching the changing colors as the red and yellow colors combined to make the lava on our laminated volcano.

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

So, a lot smaller than the Pacific, our little ocean contains a number of fish to catch. To add to the fun, the fish could squirt water when squeezed.

Recognize two objects that are the same size or color is a math access point.

Bananas are a top Colombian export so we used that as our scent this week. The water was scented with Minions bath gel we got at Walmart. We purchased the lotion a few years ago at World Market but unfortunately they don’t carry it anymore 🙁 Banana is a really strong scent which the students loved!

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday we made some Andean condors which are a symbol of Colombia. We used this template: Andean condor

First, we discussed the shape of our background paper using communication symbols.

Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes, is a math access point.

The students glued the condor’s body DOWN on to the background paper—-making sure to “pat pat pat” to make it stick.

Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down is a math access point.

Then the students used adaptive scissors to snip some wing feathers. We used either table top or switch operated scissors, depending on the students skill level.

The science access point recognize a change in an object is addressed here.

The wing was glued on to the top of the body—–we wanted it to be able to flap a little.

We also squeezed out a dot of glue and added a cool looking googlie eye.

Match one object to a designated space to show one-to-one correspondence is a math access point.

TA DA!

The Andean Condor is a symbol of Columbia!

On Wednesday we made a Colombian flag.

First we discussed the color of our background paper and identified it using communication symbols.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

Then the students used a paper cutter or switch to cut a strip of red paper and a strip of blue paper.

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move, is a science access point.

We glued the red strip at the bottom of the yellow paper and then glued the blue strip above the red strip. Some of the students preferred to glue the blue strip on first and then put down the red strip—–either way worked 🙂

Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down is a math access point.

Ta DA!

We love Colombia!

LANGUAGE GROUP

We made a pretty tasty frozen drink this week that is made in Colombia: Let_s Make Limonada de Coco!, also known as Coconut Limeade.

We started out by measuring out the cream of coconut and putting it in the blender.

Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.

Next, we had to add some ice. Each of our students felt the bag of ice. We talked about how it felt COLD.

Recognize objects as warm or cold is a science access point.

Since we needed 5 cups and our measuring cup only holds 2 cups, our students had to indicate that we needed MORE.

Solve problems involving small quantities of objects or actions, using language, such as enough, too much, or more, is a math access point.

Then, we needed to add some lime juice. Just like the lemon juice we used a couple of weeks ago, we had each of our students taste a little bit. We talked about how it tasted SOUR.