Ms. Jen got to go to Colorado over spring break and brought back some great photos that inspired this unit. Our sensory groups explored boxes related to facts about the state. The fine motor groups used homemade puffy paint to complete their projects and the language group made a tasty Colorado treat!
SENSORY GROUP
There were lots of things associated with the beautiful state of Colorado. This box contained animals and plants that are native to the state. We also put in a miniature backpack and small compass—things you might need while hiking in the Rocky Mountains. The state fossil is a stegosaurus, so we put a puzzle piece one in the box too 🙂
Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.
We put in a pinwheel and some fans in this box because Colorado gets a lot of its energy from the wind. Fans are pretty popular with our students, they like the feel of the moving air.
Indicate awareness of air moving is a science access point.
The Broncos are an NFL team located in Denver. This bright colorful box had shaker pompoms, beads, and a small football in the team colors. We also put in a cute little pony puppet to represent the team mascot.
The science access point recognize an action as fast or slow can be addressed here.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a huge naturally formed outdoor concert site located in Colorado. Our students used scoops and their hands to make their own “red rocks” out of moon sand. We included a little musician holding play figure to add to the fun.
Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
The aquamarine is the state gem and we thought our box of dyed blue beans looked like a box full of aquamarines! We put some letter C’s to find as hands explored the colorful beans.
Match objects by one observable property, such as size, shape, or color, is a science access point.
The Colorado River is nicknamed the Red because of its color and the red rocks it travels through. We made our own river by adding some red velvet cake mix to our oobleck this week. The color was pretty intriguing to the students, but it certainly made for some really MESSY play this week!
Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.
Since Colorado is nicknamed the “centennial state” we put the foam numbers 1 0 0 in the water this week. There was also a water wheel, which is always a fun addition. As hands were rinsed, we found we also kind of continued the RED river theme 🙂
Recognize one way people use water is a science access point that can be addressed here.
Bath and Body Works peach scented lotion was chosen this week because we learned that peaches are grown in Colorado. And you thought all peaches came from Georgia 🙂
Recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli is a science access point.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Tuesday our students got to go skiing in the Rocky Mountains—–well sort of 🙂 We added their photos to this template: Colorado skier
First, they identified a triangle by either vocalizing, pointing, or looking at communication symbols.
Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes is a math access point.
Then, they put some glue on to their triangles and put them DOWN on to a blue background.
Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship is a math access point.
They added some “snow” made from a mixture of shaving cream and glue (approximately 3 parts to 1) using a sponge brush. Once dry this stuff ends up feeling just like puffy paint—–so cool!
Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.
After they had finished painting, the students added themselves to the picture!
Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.
TA DA!!
Let’s go skiing in Colorado!
On Wednesday the students made a Rocky Mountain poster.
We started by identifying a triangle using communication symbols. We discussed that triangles have 3 sides.
Recognize the sides of a triangle is a math access point.
Next the students used paper cutters to cut out a triangle, counting each side as is was cut.
Recognize a change in the appearance of an object is a science access point.
All the triangles got glued DOWN on to a blue background.
Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship is a math access point.
Then each student got a chance to add snow to the mountains. We used our home made puffy paint mixture again. They really had a lot of fun with this!
Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.
Ta DA!
Let’s visit The Rocky Mountains!!!!!!!
LANGUAGE GROUP
We were all so surprised that the state fruit of Colorado was the peach! What a great fruit to use in a recipe, though 🙂 Here is the recipe that we used this week: Let_s Make A Peaches And Cream Trifle
We started out by making some vanilla pudding. Our students requested to help pour the mix into the bowl. They had to locate the bowl on their communication boards.
We had one student help hold the measuring cup while milk was poured into it. Then we had another friend request to help pour the milk into the bowl.
Everyone had a turn to press the switch to activate the mixer. Our students indicated that we needed to mix “more” and when we were “all done” using their communication boards.
Solve problems involving small quantities of object or actions using language, such as enough, too much, or more, is a math access point.
We then added the layers of the trifle. First, we PUT some angel food cake in our cups.
Then we added some vanilla pudding.
Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.
We put peaches on top of that and topped it all off with some whipped cream. With each layer, our students had to indicate any of these core vocabulary words to participate: HELP (if they wanted to help put the ingredients in the cup), PUT (to use as a command to put ingredients in the cup), WANT (to request ingredients), and/or MORE (to indicate that there are more ingredients/more steps).
Pictures of the ingredients were modeled and used by both the adults and the students.
When the recipe was finished, each student had to indicate that they “want eat” to get their trifle.
YUM!
Join us again next time for more fun and learning——Group by Group!
Since one of our teachers, Ms. Jen, visited Colorado with her family, we decided to learn some things about the state! And actually, 2 of the facts that we found out were questions on Jeopardy this week, so that gives you even MORE reason to read them 🙂 Colorado is a beautiful state with lots of great places to visit. We found out some pretty neat things, like what the state fruit is (you’ll be surprised!) and what “Colorado” means. Check it out!
Here is a link to the book: Let_s Learn About Colorado
