Category Archives: Education

Mar8

Our Favorite Books

Posted on March 8, 2020 by jd785

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!

Don’t forget to check your SPAM folder for a confirmation email if you want to follow us.

Mar8

Our Favorite Books

Posted on March 8, 2020 by jd785

Our Favorite Books

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

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!

Don’t forget to check your SPAM folder for a confirmation email if you want to follow us.

Mar8

February After Party

Posted on March 8, 2020 by jd785

February 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.

We began the month celebrating Black History month by profiling our Local African American Leaders.

Local school board member Joy Bowen likes to go fishing with her family.

The students went fishing in our little pond.

Walt McNeil is our sheriff.

Stars, like the one on his badge, were stamped into gold kinetic sand.

Doris Maloy is our county tax collector.

Since she deals with numbers all day, we put numbers and dollar sign pasta in her box.

The students got to pretend to be doctors like Dr. Friall who is the chief medical officer at one of our hospitals.

They had fun with this!

Casanova Nurse is a meteorologist for a local TV station.

Weather related items filled this box, including a fan, rain stick, slinky rainbow, and thunder tube.

Coach Leonard Hamilton is the FSU basketball coach.

Fun pom poms in FSU colors filled his box.

Dean Anthony Jones oversees the math and science department at TCC.

We added bath crackles to turn oobleck into a science experiment.

For this unit, we chose Bath and Body Works cucumber melon scent.

The scent reminded us of foods that Chef Shac, a Chopped champion, might prepare.

For Presidents Day, we learned some fun facts about past Presidents.

President Kennedy’s family came from Ireland.

Bright green play dough was cut into shamrocks—a symbol of Ireland.

President Obama is from Hawaii—-his colorful box was filled with flowers and leis.

President Eisenhower enjoyed making cornmeal pancakes.

President Reagan was a move actor and Governor of California before becoming President.

President Washington loved ice cream so we added some jello to shaving cream to get an ice cream like texture!

President John Quincy Adams kept a pet alligator!

For a fun unit we did Jack and the Beanstalk.

There was a beanstalk umbrella with a giant peaking down.

Gold easter eggs, a plush goose, and a bunch of gold beads made for a very eye catching box.

The goose that lays the golden eggs 🙂

There were BIG plush balls and SMALL spiked balls to represent concepts of size.

A variety of cows roamed around green rice “grass”.

Colorful “magic” beans were fun to run hands through.

The students really enjoyed our addition of leaves and an accordion tube beanstalk to the shaving cream.

Bath and Body Works rain kissed leaves was the perfect scent for the week.

The watering can turned out to be to a big hit!

The students LOVED it!

We finished the month by learning about Greece.

There was another umbrella—-

——this time with zodiac symbols.

The ancient Greeks invented the Olympic games.

Colorful chenille stems were twisted into rings….

or other fun shapes!

Small wooden blocks were used to make temples in sand.

We included a rake so the students could look for more ancient relics.

Blue and white beads represented the colors of the Greek flag.

Fun to sort, wave, or wear!

We also used those colors in our rice.

A map of Greece was at the bottom of the box.

Shaving cream clouds were swirled around Mt. Olympus.

It is the highest mountain in Greece.

In our water there were variety of fish, a boat, and a dolphin, which is a symbol of Greece!

Junipers grow in Greece, so we used that as our scent.

This box was filled with symbols of Greece.

We also recorded some authentic Greek music on the voice output device.

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

Mar1

Greece book

Posted on March 1, 2020 by jd785

Greece book

HERE IS A LINK TO THE BOOK: Let’s Learn About Greece

We are learning all about Greece this week! There are some really cool things we learned about Greece, such as what their tallest mountain is, what the animal of Greece is, and also that the Olympics started there. One of our students’ mom and brother were lucky enough to take a trip there last summer and graciously let us use some of their amazing photos. Take a look and see what you can learn about Greece!

Mar1

Greece book

Posted on March 1, 2020 by jd785

Greece book

HERE IS A LINK TO THE BOOK: Let’s Learn About Greece

Mar1

Greece

Posted on March 1, 2020 by jd785

Greece

One of our families recently took a trip to Greece—–how cool is that! Our sensory groups explored boxes related to Greek history and culture. The fine motor groups practiced cutting skills while making their art projects. The language group celebrated Apokries, a Greek carnival, by having a parade and street dance!

SENSORY GROUP

The ancient Greeks gave us zodiac constellations, some of which could be found on our starry night sky umbrella.

The twinkling lights, dangling planets, and colorful pictures were all so eye catching!

Science access point: recognize a space related object.

Touring ancient Greek ruins is a must for any tourist!

The students made their own buildings using some wooden blocks. We also included a small rake so they could look for any hidden ancient relics!

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

Blue and white are the colors of the Greek flag.

Beads, whether worn, grabbed by handfuls, or sorted—-so much fun!

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

The ancient Greeks invented the Olympic games!

The students twisted colorful chenille stems into olympic rings—–or other pretty inventive sculptures 🙂

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

Letter G’s could be found in blue and white rice.

There was a map of the Greek islands at the bottom of the box.

Science access point: match objects with similar observable properties, such as shape.

This box contained symbols of Greece, including an owl, laurel leaves, and foods grown there. We also put in some things that you might need while touring around—-such as a backpack, sunglasses, and camera.

There was even recorded some traditional Greek music on a voice output device.

Science access point: recognize a model of a real object.

The students swirled shaving cream clouds around Mount Olympus.

Messy play is so much fun!

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

Since Greece has so many islands, we put in a small fishing boat in our water.

There was also a dolphin which is a symbol of Greece and 2 small fish to catch.

Science access point: match common living things with their habitats.

We chose Bath and Body Works juniper for the scent this week.

Junipers are shrubs that grow in Greece!

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

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday, the students made their own ancient Greek temple!

First, the students identified triangle and rectangle shapes.

Math access point: recognize a common object with a two-dimensional shape.

Then, they used cutting tools to cut out their “building blocks”.

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

The students glued their blocks down on a background paper to assemble their temples.

It didn’t matter how the temples were assembled—-they were supposed to by ancient ruins anyway 🙂

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

TA DA!!!!!

Let’s visit Greece!

On Wednesday we made some Greek flags to use as decoration for our upcoming Apokries festival.

First, they identified the color blue and a rectangle—there are lots of rectangles in the Greek flag.

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

Math access point: recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape.

Next, the students cut 4 strips of white paper. They used regular scissors, switch operated scissors, or paper cutters depending on their ability.

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

They glued their long white stripes on to the blue background paper.

Math access point: recognize length of objects, such as long or short.

Then, a pre-made cross was placed at the TOP LEFT corner of their flag.

Math access point: recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship.

TA DA!!!!

It is festival time—–kales yiortes (happy feasts!

We love Greece!

LANGUAGE GROUP

We love our parties here at school and this one was no exception!

The Greek festival Apokries is celebrated at this time of year.

Our language group students dressed up in togas and we paraded through the halls with traditional Greek music and the students playing tambourines.

They all looked so cute!

The parade goers had a great time watching their friends parade in their Greek attire.

Everyone had so much fun!

Of course, after the parade everyone was invited to a “street” dance in the hall.

We made our own version of the Parthenon and our students and staff got to dance and socialize.

We had treats set out with sentence strips so that our students could request what they wanted.

The sentence strips were modeled and our students imitated. They got to choose from cookies, applesauce, chips, and blue Gatorade.

Not very Greek, but preferred by our students 🙂

We had so much fun! Took lots of pictures and danced the day away. Opa!

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

Don’t forget to check your SPAM folder for a confirmation email if you want to follow us!

Feb23

Jack and the Beanstalk Book

Posted on February 23, 2020 by jd785

Jack and the Beanstalk Book

LINK TO THE BOOK: Let’s Learn About Jack And The Beanstalk

We had so much fun reading the book for this week! The book gives a short synopsis of the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. We have several of our students posing as the different characters in the story, like Jack, his mother, and even their cow.

Check out this super cute book and happy National Fairy Tale Day!

Feb23

Jack And The Beanstalk

Posted on February 23, 2020 by jd785

Jack And The Beanstalk

We chose a fun theme this week and did our own take on the classic fairy tale! The sensory group explored boxes with a variety of textures. The fine motor groups crafted art projects based on characters in the story and the language group made a recipe————-using beans, of course 🙂

SENSORY GROUP

Our colorful box of “magic beans” contained letter B’s—-both upper and lower case.

The students loved running their hands through the beans and the colors were so eye catching.

Science access point: match objects by an observable property, such as size, shape, or color.

There were all sorts of cows roaming in this field of green rice. We even included magnets that spelled the word COW!

There was also a picture of a cow to find at the bottom of the box.

Science access point: recognize a model of a real object.

An umbrella was turned into a beanstalk—-complete with a giant peeking out!

We were pretty happy with the effect we achieved.

Science access point: recognize objects related to science by name such as animal, and plant.

There were 5 golden eggs and lots of golden beads along with a cute plush goose in this box!

So cute!

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

We wanted to reinforce the concepts of BIG and SMALL so in this box we added some big fluffy ball and some small spiked balls.

The different textures were really intriguing to the students.

Math access point: recognize differences in size of objects.

We put a green accordion tube and some silk leaves into a cloud of shaving cream so students could make their own bean stalks.

They had a blast!

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

There was a small cup and big watering can in the water play.

The students loved watching the water stream from the spout of the watering can!

Science access point: track objects in motion.

Bath and Body Works rain kissed leaves seemed a good choice for our scent this week.

Whether rubbed on arms or behind ears, the students loved the aroma.

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

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday the students stamped some golden eggs using this template: goose

First, the students identified an oval.

They did a really great job!

Math access point: recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape.

Next, they glued their goose on to the back ground paper.

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

Then, they stamped some golden eggs!

We made the stamp by cutting ovals from extra thick craft foam and sticking the shapes to kitchen scrubbers.

Math access point: recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship.

TA—we are rich—- Da!

We found the goose that lays the golden eggs!

On Wednesday, we made bean stalks! This template was used in the project: castle

First, the students identified the color of the yarn. Everyone picked the correct color!!!!

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

Then, the students wrapped the yarn around a paper towel tube.

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

Next, they added leaves to their bean stalks.

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

The beanstalk was topped off by a castle in the clouds—made by gluing polyfil and paper castle to a poster board circle.

TA—fie fi fo fum— DA!!!

Looks like our magic beans worked!

LANGUAGE GROUP

We made some bean dip that we think Jack would really enjoy! Here’s the recipe: Let’s Make Jack’s Bean Dip

We started out by mixing together sour cream and a dry ranch packet. The student who WANTED to HELP was given the unopened packet of dry ranch. Since she wasn’t able to open it by herself, she was prompted to ask for HELP.

Students located the STIR communication symbol on their boards and HELPED to STIR the ingredients together.

Each student requested their own bowl to put their dip together in. They were given some refried beans and were told to SPREAD them out on the bottom of their bowls.

Then, each student had to request the sour cream/ranch dip. Again, they had to SPREAD it ON TOP of the beans.

Next, they PUT diced tomatoes ON TOP of the ranch dip. Some students were given just a few pieces. If that was not enough to their liking, they had to request MORE.

We PUT some black olives ON TOP of the tomatoes. Again, if it was not enough, students had to indicate they WANTED MORE.

When asked if there were any ingredients that they saw on the communication boards that had not been used yet, students had to LOOK at their boards and locate the picture of cheese.

Once the bean dip was all layered and ready, students had to request chips.

Students were prompted to SCOOP the dip with the chips; however, lots of them chose to eat the dip with their spoon instead 🙂

We really had so much fun this week! Join us again next time for more fun and learning—–Group by Group!

Don’t forget to check your SPAM folder for a confirmation email if you want to follow us.

Feb16

Fun Facts About Presidents book

Posted on February 16, 2020 by jd785

Fun Facts About Presidents book

LINK TO THE BOOK: Fun Facts About Presidents

In honor of Presidents Day, we found out some interesting facts about former presidents. We found out that one president was said to have had an alligator as a pet in the White House, one president was an actor before he became president, and that the teddy bear was named after a president. You’ll have to read the book to see which presidents these were and to find out some other cool facts about presidents. On the front and back of the book, we featured some of our patriotic students. Check it out!

Feb16

Fun Facts About Presidents

Posted on February 16, 2020 by jd785

Fun Facts About Presidents

Since Presidents Day is coming up, we thought it would be fun to learn about some of our past Presidents. The sensory groups explored boxes related to presidents featured in our book. The fine motor groups made art projects featuring presidents and the language group made a patriotic treat!

SENSORY GROUP

President Kennedy’s family came from Ireland.

The students used a big cookie cutter to make shamrocks—-a symbol of Ireland—-out of bright green play dough.

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

President Obama was born in Hawaii.

This eye catching box was filled with colorful flowers, leis, and a cute little Hawaiian doll.

Science access point: recognize objects as the same.

President Theodore Roosevelt once saved a bear cub and teddy bears are named after him!

The piece of faux bear fur, a big mama bear, and 2 little bear cubs here were a hit with the students.

Science access point: match animals that are the same.

President Ronald Reagan used to be a movie actor and then the Governor of California.

The numbers 4 and 0 could be found in this box of popcorn—-Reagan was our 40th president!

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

President Eisenhower loved to cook and was known for his cornmeal pancakes!

Soft cornmeal (mixed with some potato flakes to decrease the dust), 2 different sized spoons, and a picture of the Eisenhower at the bottom could be found in this box.

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

Ice cream was one of George Washington’s favorite treats! We sprinkled jello powder into the shaving cream to get an ice cream look.

Needless to say, the students had a blast!

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

John Quincy Adams had a pet alligator—-how cool is that!

We put a little alligator in our water play this week, along with 2 different sized measuring cups.

Math access point: recognize differences in sizes of containers that hold liquids.

We chose Bath and Body Works cherry blossom for our scent this week. President Taft’s wife planted the first cherry blossom trees in Washington DC.

It was a great scent to help us remember all the fun facts about Presidents!

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

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday we made dimes out of paper plates.

First, the students identified the shape of the paper plate.

Math access point: recognize a common object with a two-dimensional shape.

Then, the students painted their plates with silver paint.

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

Next, the students added a picture of President Franklin Roosevelt! We used a coloring page from the US mint printed on grey paper.

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

TA DA!!!!

We made dimes!

Anybody need some spare change 🙂

On Wednesday the students made MORE money 🙂 We found some cute samples we could download for free.

First, the students identified the shape of the money.

Math access point: recognize a common object with a two-dimensional shape.

Then, they cut the money into individual bills using a variety of cutting tools.

Math access point: solve simple problems involving taking apart small quantities of objects.

Next, they used markers to add color to their bills.

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

TA DA!!!!

Look at all the Presidents!

Let’s go shopping!!!

LANGUAGE GROUP

This week, we made a patriotic treat for President’s Day. Here’s the recipe that we used: Let’s Make A Patriotic Snack

We started out by making the whipped cream. One of our students HELPED measure out 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. They had to LOOK to see if there was enough in the measuring cup or if we needed MORE. Then we PUT that in the bowl.

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

Next, we had to measure out powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Students had to identify the tablespoon when it was held next to the teaspoon. They were prompted to find the BIGGER one.