March 20 is Very Hungry Caterpillar Day so this week we are celebrating Eric Carle! Our sensory groups explored boxes related to some of his books. The fine motor groups made some very hungry caterpillars, and the language group made a tasty treat inspired by one of Eric Carle’s characters.
SENSORY GROUP
This box was filled with a variety of items related to some of the characters found in the books such as a plush brown bear, caterpillar, a firefly, dragon, play food, and some board books.
There were lots of things to discover and explore.
The squeaky cupcake turned out to be especially popular!
Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.
There was a picture of planet earth, a rooster, and two different sized scoops in our “Rooster sees the world” rice box. The rice was eye catching and made for lots of scooping fun!
The math access point solve problems involving small quantities of objects or actions using language, such as enough, too much, or more, can be addressed here.
The students sorted green pasta caterpillars and red pasta butterflies in “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” box.
Match objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.
We laminated some flowers from Eric Carle’s books and put them into our Tiny Seed box filled with birdseed. The flowers made the box very eye catching and the students loved the way the seeds felt on their hands! We also included a letter F to find.
Recognize and respond to different types of sensory stimuli.
Our “Grouchy Ladybug” pillow vibrated when squeezed and was a huge hit—–the students loved it!
Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.
For “The Little Cloud” box we made cloud dough, of course! Since the book’s illustration featured a face, we put in some Mr. Potato Head pieces for the students to play with.
The science access point recognize one or more external body parts can be addressed here.
There were 10 Little Ducks in our water pond this week. Some of them squeaked which added to the fun!
Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.
Since a very hungry caterpillar might want to snack on some leaves, we chose Bath and Body Works rain kissed leaves as our scent this week. The students really liked its light aroma.
Recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli is a science access point.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Tuesday we used an idea from Pinterest to make our hungry caterpillar.
First the students identified the color GREEN using communication symbols.
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.
Then the students painted their paper plate crescent.
Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move, is a science access point.
They added a cute caterpillar face (pre-made by our wonderful volunteers).
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
TA DA!!
Some very hungry caterpillars!
On Wednesday the students made caterpillars out of paper plates we got a Dollar Tree—can’t beat the price!
First, we discussed the shape of our plates and had the students identify a circle using communication symbols.
Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes, such as a circle is a math access point.
The students used a circle punch to cut two red circles. They also identified the number 2 using communication symbols.
Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.
Then they glued the red circles on to some pre-cut yellow circles to make caterpillar eyes. We also asked the students to identify which circle was BIG and which was LITTLE.
Recognize differences in size of objects is a math access point.
After the students glued the eyes onto a red paper plate, they chose how many green plates they wanted to add to make their caterpillar bodies. They could add 1, 2, or 3!
Everything got stapled together!
Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.
TA DA!
More very hungry caterpillars!!!
LANGUAGE GROUP
This week, our language group made a snack that could be taken from the Eric Carle book, Walter the Baker. In the book, Walter creates pretzels. For our group, since making pretzels takes a lot of time, we decided to make a dipping sauce for some frozen pretzels. Here is the recipe that we used: Let_s Make Pretzels and Dipping Sauce
While reading the book, our students had to locate the symbol TURN on their communication boards each time it was time to turn the page for the recipe.
We started out by putting some cream cheese into a bowl. Our students indicated on their communication boards where the picture of the bowl was. They also had to locate the word PUT on their communication boards.
Next, we added some butter. Each student had to indicate the measuring spoon when compared to the measuring cup. To help them out, we reminded them that the measuring spoon is smaller than the measuring cup.
Recognize differences in sizes of containers that hold liquids is a math access point.
Our students helped activate the switch to turn on the mixer and we mixed up the ingredients until they were smooth. They had to locate MORE to indicate that we needed to mix it up more. They located DONE when we were finished mixing.
Solve problems involving small quantities of objects or actions using language, such as enough, too much, or more is a math access point.
Next, we added some powdered sugar. Again, we had our students indicate what we would use to measure out a cup of powdered sugar: the measuring cup or measuring spoon. We verbally prompted that we would need something BIG to use.
Again, the math access point recognize differences in sizes of containers that hold liquids, is addressed.
We added some vanilla extract to the mix. Before we did, though, each student got to smell it. We had some head turners who didn’t like the smell, but overall they liked it.
Recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli is a science access point.
After we mixed that all together we added the heavy cream and mixed again until smooth.
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
While we were mixing, we put some frozen pretzel bites into the microwave to warm them up.
After everything was finished, our students got to enjoy some pretzels with dipping sauce once they indicated WANT on their communication boards! It wasn’t too sweet either.
Very yummy 🙂
We really enjoyed this week and hope you did too. Join us next time for more fun and learning—-Group by Group!