We’re celebrating Australia Day a little bit late, but better late than never! We learned a lot of neat facts about Australia. There are lots of cool sites to see like Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef. There are even pink salt lakes! We have a couple of our students who are on the front and back of the book decked out in their Australian gear and enjoying the Outback. Check it out!
Here is a link to the book: Let’s Learn About Australia
G’day mate! January 26 is Australia Day so this week we learned about that “down under” country! The sensory groups explored boxes related to facts about the country. The fine motor groups crafted symbols of the country and the language group made a favorite Australian dessert—-pavlova!
SENSORY GROUP
Since they are the national colors of Australia, we used yellow and green paper shred as the base of this box. We added some plush and plastic animals, such as the koala, kangaroo, and crocodile.
There was also some fake sheep wool and pictures of famous Australians. We even included a voice output device with a didgeridoo recorded on it.
Science access point: recognize a model of a real object.
Our green and yellow rice contained some black bean “coal”. We learned that Australia is the world’s largest producer of coal!
There were upper and lower case letter A’s to find in the rice, as well as a map of the country at the bottom of the box.
Science access point: match objects by an observable property, such as shape.
Ayers Rock is called Uluru by aboriginal Australians. Our red mood sand resembled the color of the world’s largest monolith.
There were 5 snakes and a 1 lizard that might be found there.
Math access point: associate quantities with number names.
The world’s larges coral reef is located in Australia. Our Great Barrier Reef umbrella was a hit with the students. They also liked the plush “great white shark” puppet!
Science access point: match living things with their habitats.
Kinetic sand made a perfect “Bondi Beach”!
The students loved watching the sand drop through their fingers or using the sea life molds to stamp in it.
Science access point: recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move.
Students mixed cornstarch and shaving cream to make “meringue” pavlovas!
It was messy, but the students really loved the soft cool texture!
Science access point: apply a push to move an object.
Lake Hillier is a PINK lake—-how cool is that!! This cool pink bowl was a perfect stand in for the lake but since it was a little “tippy”, we put it inside a regular basin to avoid any accidental or not so accidental spills 🙂
There were some pool noodle pieces and a scoop to add to the fun.
Math access point: recognize differences in sizes of containers that hold liquids.
Bath and Body Works eucalyptus scent was a perfect scent for out little koalas this week!
The strong scent certainly got everyones attention!
Science access point: recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Wednesday the students made kangaroo puppets using this template: kangaroo
First, they identified the color BROWN from an array of 3 colors. All of the students identified the correct color—-our students rock!!!
Science access point: identify an object by one observable property, such as color.
Next, the students used brown crayons to color their kangaroos.
Science access point: recognize a change in the appearance of an object.
Then, we added 2 googlie eyes.
Math access point: match one object to a designated space to show one-to one correspondence.
TA DA!!!!!
The kangaroo is a symbol of Australia!
On Thursday the students made a didgeridoo out of a paper towel tube.
First, the students chose their paper and identified the color.
Science access point: identify an object by one observable property, such as color.
Next, they drew lines and shapes using markers.
It was fun seeing the different patterns each student chose!
Science access point: recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move.
Then, they cut their paper into strips using paper cutters or switch operated scissors.
Science access point: recognize a change in the appearance of an object.
The students then shared their strips with each other and began wrapping them around their
tubes. We fastened them down with tape, but glue would work too.
Science access point: share objects with a partner.
TA DA!!!
Look at our fabulous didgeridoos!
These were a hit 🙂
LANGUAGE GROUP
We made a tasty popular Australian dessert today–pavlova cake. Well, we made our own rendition of it. Here is a link to the recipe: lets make mini pavlova cakes
First, we PUT 1 cup of whipping cream into a BOWL. We compared a cup with a tablespoon. Our students were asked to indicate the BIGGER one.
Math access point: recognize differences in size of objects.
Once the cream was in the bowl, we observed that it was a liquid. The students were told to watch and see if it became DIFFERENT after it was mixed. Each student took TURNS pressing the switch to activate the mixer.
Science access point: recognize changes in observable properties of materials.
We observed that the liquid became a solid. Next, we added a tsp of vanilla. We compared a teaspoon with a tablespoon and asked our students to identify the SMALLER one.
Math access point: recognize differences in size of objects.
Next, we PUT a tbsp of confectioners’ sugar into the bowl. Each student got to taste some of the sugar. They had to indicate whether it tasted SWEET or SOUR.
Science access point: recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli.
Once that was all mixed up we started PUTTING together our pavlova. On the recipe, we saw that the cake was put together like a math equation. First, each student got a meringue cookie. Next, we added just a little bit of the whipped cream. Each student had to say if they WANTED MORE.
Math access point: indicate more of an action or an object.
Finally, we added some strawberries. Only one piece of strawberry was given to each student and they had to request MORE if they wanted more.
It turned out to be a really pretty dessert!
We sure learned a lot about Australia this week! Join us next time for more fun and learning—-Group by Group!
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Our groups complimented the Unique Curriculum theme that our students are studying this month. As usual, we address math, language and science access points but with this unit we also address social studies access points such as recognizing differences in climates or vegetation.
Cara wrote a fantastic book with such cute pictures of children around the world—-it was a real hit with our students in each of the groups.
We had so much fun exploring the different continents. Read along to see all the fun we had!
Sensory Group
We started our world tour in a South American tropical rainforest! Our umbrella was decorated with plastic leaves and christmas garland, bead, and yarn vines. Foam butterflies, toy snakes and frogs were attached with more yarn. A huggable monkey and jungle sounds recorded on a voice output device completed the experience.
Our students always get excited when we have an umbrella experience and this one was no different. So much fun to see their smiling faces!
Lots of access points can be addressed with this box, including the science access point of distinguishing between a plant and an animal and the language access points of communicating recognition of familiar persons or objects and responding to a technology resource.
Next came North America where we explored the colors of the Canadian flag—red and white! Our box contained soft pom poms and hard beads to compare and contrast.
Beads are always a favorite—fun to shake AND fun to wear!
The math access points of recognizing two objects that are the same size or color and recognizing 3 dimensional objects are addressed here.
Other countries have flags that are red, white and blue like ours. In Europe, two of them are France and the United Kingdom. Our colorful rice had the letters U and F to find in addition to the French and UK flags hidden at the bottom of the box.
Rice is always a wonderful tactile experience. Our students love running their fingers through it—-and grabbing handfuls to toss in the air which we try to discourage. Although, tracking objects in motion IS a science access point 🙂
Tactile and visual discrimination skills are promoted with this activity.
On to Asia where flowers are a highlight of many festivals. This box contained pink petals and 3 sunflowers for sorting, counting—–or tossing into the air to watch as they drift down 🙂
The math access points of comparing quantities to 3 using language, such as more, less, or the same and or solving simple problems joining or separating sets of objects to 3 can be addressed here.
How exciting would it be to visit the African savannah! We filled this box with rafia and green easter grass so it looked like the different grasses you might see while on safari.
We also included some zebra striped pom poms and a variety of toy animals. Some of the animals had a button that made noise when pressed—-perfect for working on finger isolation.
The science access point of recognizing and responding to common sounds and distinguishing between a plant and an animal are addressed here.
As the students push the animals button, they also are addressing the science access point of applying a push to move an object.
What continent is covered with snow? Antarctica!!! We made a batch of our fake snow and put it in the fridge. Cold AND wet, some of our students thought it was pretty neat—–others not so much 🙂
This activity addresses the science access point of recognizing objects or materials as warm or cold.
We used eucalyptus scented water and lotion to remind us of the leaves that Australian koala bears like to eat! It was a pretty strong scent which all our students seemed to like.
As the lotion is rubbed on arms, hands or back of neck (for those students who engage in hand mouthing behaviors) we talk about the different body parts—-addressing the science access point of recognizing one or more external body parts.
This activity also addresses the science access point of recognizing and responding to different types of sensory stimuli and the math access point of requesting “more” of an action or activity.
Fine Motor Group
On Tuesday for out art project, we cut out and colored the seven continents. Joy drew a gross outline of each continent on a rectangular piece of construction paper (each a different color). Each student chose their favorite…..
…..and proceeded to color it!
Discussing the shape of the paper addresses the math access point of recognizing 2 dimensional shapes.
This also addresses the science access point of identifying objects by one observable property.
Since the outlines were too complex for our adaptive scissors or paper cutters, we used our electric scissors to cut them out——what fun! The students really had a blast and were so fascinated by the action 🙂
This was a great activity for practicing switch usage and learning to keep your hand on the switch to keep the scissors cutting.
This activity addresses the math access point of solving problems involving actions using language such as enough, too much, or more.
Then we glued the continents down on a blue background to make our world map—-addressing the social studies access point of associating a picture with a place.
TA DA!!!!
On Thursday, before we started our next art project, we told the students we were going to paint with green paint, showing them the color on a communication symbol. Then we asked them to show us “green” from a choice of two by either touching the symbol or using eye gaze to make their choice.
This addresses the language access point of responding accurately and consistently to referent objects, pictures, or symbols used in routines.
Then it was time to paint a large circle that was cut from blue poster board——we’re making a global map! These sponge brushes are perfect for the job.
Discussing the shape of the poster board addresses the math access point of recognizing 2 dimensional objects.
It also addresses the social studies access point of recognizing a picture of land or water.
Of course, its also a great activity for practicing prewriting skills!
The words “Friends Around The World” were glued onto the circle.
The language access point of responding to new vocabulary as it is taught is addressed here.
Also eye hand coordination is practiced as the students place the paper on top of the glue.
Joy made some paper dolls in traditional costumes from around the world, and added the student’s photos to them. They took turns gluing them to the map—-quite fascinated by their photos!
This activity addresses the social studies access point of recognizing differences in clothing from other cultures.
Our finished product looks so cute hanging in the hallway outside Jeannie’s classroom….
too cute!!!!!
Language Group
While reading Cara’s book, each time we read about a continent we would hand the student who “read” the repetitive line an animal native to that continent.
Here is a breakdown of the animals we used with each continent: Africa–lion, Europe–bird, Asia–tiger, North America–black bear, South America–lizard, Australia–platypus, and Antarctica–penguin. We have found that our students really enjoy holding objects and using props throughout our group seems to bring more meaning to what we are talking about.
Matching common living things with their habitats is a science access point.
After reading the book, we unrolled a big map of the world. On an All-Turn-It Spinner, we taped each of the 7 continents. We asked the students “where” they were going to go while holding up the PIXON symbol for “where”. The students took turns activating the All-Turn-It Spinner to see which continent they were going to visit.
Using technology resources to support learning is a language access point.
Responding to new vocabulary that is introduced and taught is also a language access point.
We had print outs of the students’ faces and would tape their face to the continent they landed on.
When they were through, we used PIXON symbols and the students had to verbalize or point out, “I go here”.
They had so much fun with this activity and so did we!
Matching objects, pictures, gestures/signs, or symbols to tasks in routines is a language access point.
Completing a pictorial map using pictures or symbols for designated areas is a social studies access points.
We loved exploring our wonderful world this past week and hope we gave you some inspiration for your own explorations! Come back next week where more surprises await—-Group by Group!