Tag Archives: dinosaur

Jan24

Let’s Go On An Adventure

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Let’s Go On An Adventure

Our theme this week is a really fun one. The book features students dressed for a variety of adventures so be sure to check it out. The sensory groups explored boxes related to the different scenarios depicted in the book. The fine motor groups crafted some fun art projects and the language group went on an adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

With bright stars, planets, and a rocket ship, our outer space umbrella really let the students feel like they were in space!

 

 

 

 

 

Very eye catching!

Science access point: recognize a space related object.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joining the circus would be big adventure—-even more fun if you could be a clown!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wood shavings formed the base of this box and a rake to move them around to discover a clown picture at the bottom.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colorful dinosaurs of different sizes roamed around in dinosaur eggs (turquoise beans).

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students loved the feel of the beans running through their fingers

Math access point: recognize similarities and differences in size of objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students searched for buried pirate treasure in black kinetic sand.

 

 

 

 

 

There were lots of coins to count!

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were lots of Safari themed items including a jeep, camera, compass, binoculars, and jungle animals to find and discover in this box.

 

 

 

 

We also included a voice output device with recordings of jungle animal sounds.

Our students TOTALLY rocked the sunglasses!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A toy Superman flew around shaving cream clouds in our messy play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soft and fluffy——- so much fun!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hands were rinsed in a small mermaid lagoon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also included a funnel and measuring cups for scooping fun.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bath and Body Works ocean scent helped the students remember all the fun they had today.

 

 

 

 

 

Whether applied to arms, necks, or behind ears—-the students really loved the aroma!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday, the students made super hero pictures using this template: super hero

First, the students identified the shape and color of our base paper.

Math access point: recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, using tabletop or switch operated scissors, the students cut “buildings” from paper strips.

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

 

 

 

 

 

These pieces were glued down on to the base paper to make buildings.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, they added a superhero to the scene.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!! It’s a bird, it’s a plane,…………

 

 

 

 

 

 

…………..it’s a SUPERHERO!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday the students became Mer-people 🙂

First, they identified our paint colors. We used regular paint and some colorful glitter glue (thank you Ms. Judy!)

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, they used kitchen sponges covered with bubble wrap to stamp fish scales on giant tails! We reminded the students to stamp DOWN and UP.

 

 

Math access point: recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Say hello to our Mermaids and Mermen 🙂

Let’s go on an ocean adventure!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

We went on our own adventure this week during the language group.  It was snow day at our school, so our language group had to figure out challenges in order to get to the snow.

We used these challenges on the way: Adventure Challenges

Our students were stopped several times and had to answer questions about the different adventures that were in our book.  They had a visual prompt to help them out.  For instance, the first question was “what does a knight ride on?  A horse or an elephant”.

 

 

 

If students had difficulty answering the question, they had to request HELP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, we made it to the snow!  Students got to feel the snow.

 

 

 

 

 

They had to indicate if it was COLD or HOT.

 

 

 

 

 

They also got to choose whether they wanted to ride on a sled or an inner tube to get down the hill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once they were at the bottom, they indicated whether they LIKED it or did NOT LIKE it.

It was a really fun adventure!

 

 

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!

 

Oct9

Famous Scientists

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Famous Scientists

img_1947This week we learned about some famous scientists. We chose this theme to compliment the Unique Curriculum unit for some of our grade levels. The sensory groups explored boxes related to individual scientists. The fine motor groups created science themed art projects and the language group performed some fun science experiments!

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

img_2386img_2379Galileo and Neil DeGrasse Tyson are famous for studies in the area of astronomy. Our little astronomers loved our solar system umbrella. With its twinkly stars and hanging planets, it was a real hit.

Recognize a space-related object is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

img_2431Stephen Hawking knows a LOT about black holes. We used black kinetic sand for our “black hole” box and added a star shaped cookie cutter. So much fun and irresistible to both our students and staff 🙂

The science access point apply a push to move an object can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

img_1970img_2399The thermometer was invented by Daniel Fahrenheit. In honor of him we filled a box with some “Insta-Snow”. While not quite as cold as the real thing, it still feels a little chilly!

img_2411Distinguish between hot and cold objects is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

img_1925img_2035We think our chimpanzee habitat would be a hit with Jane Goodall, she is an anthropologist who studies wild chimpanzees! Included in this box are binoculars, a variety of chimps, play fruit, and a voice output device with monkey sounds we recorded from You Tube. The monkey sounds were a huge hit!

The science access point recognize common objects related to science by name, such as animal or plant, can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

 

img_1928Kepler was a famous mathematician. In our box of white cornmeal were numbers 1-9 for our students to find. We haven’t used this cornmeal box for a while and it has a really intriguing texture for our students.

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

img_2021img_2447Mary Anning was a famous fossil hunter. The students had fun hunting for dinosaur skeletons buried in our box of moon sand. They also had a lot of fun with the dinosaur molds.

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

 

 

 

 

 

img_2404img_2570Since our theme was all about famous scientists, we decided to put pop rocks into our shaving cream to start a “chemical” reaction. Those crackling pop rocks sounded pretty cool!

The science access point recognize and respond to different types of sensory stimuli is addressed with this activity.

 

 

 

 

 

img_1895Charles Darwin’s boat the HMS Beagle sailed in our little ocean—-passing a giant sea turtle along the way!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

img_2477Since we found out that chimpanzees like all sorts of fruit—not just bananas—-we used Bath and Body Works mango tangerine scent for both our water and lotion this week. The citrusy scent was a real hit with the students!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR

On Tuesday our students made a galaxy!

img_2076We started by discussing the shape of planets found in galaxies and used communication symbols to identify a CIRCLE.

Recognize objects with a 2-dimensional shape is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

img_2156Then we used a circle punch to cut “planets” out of wallpaper scraps. You have to push pretty hard to make the punch work, so the students needed a little help with this. Of course, we counted how many planets each student cut out.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

img_2108img_2171Next they painted watered down glue onto black paper and the planets were placed on the glue.

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

 

 

 

 

 

img_2122Sparkly stars were added using chunky silver glitter.

Recognize that the appearance of an object or material has changed is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

img_2124img_2183Ta Da!

img_2093                                                                  It’s a galaxy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday the students painted with corn syrup! We have done this before and always love how the syrup retains its “wet” look after it hardens. VERY COOL!

img_2488First we discussed the color of our syrup—-we had added some food coloring 🙂

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

The students identified the color using communication symbols.

 

 

 

 

 

 

img_2501img_2541We poured a little of the syrup onto their science lab beakers, cut from poster board using this:beaker-template

The students used regular paint brushes to spread it around. Yes, this did get a little sticky and messy but it was WAY fun 🙂

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

 

 

 

 

img_2537img_2509TA DA!

Let’s do some experiments!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

Our students turned into little scientists today!  We tried out 2 different experiments today.  Here is a breakdown of each experiment: experiments

img_2576img_2580For our first experiment, our students helped POUR some baking soda into a pan.  Then, our students helped fill up some cups HALFWAY with vinegar.  They also got to choose what color should be put into each vinegar cup.

img_2627Recognize when an object is added to (addition) a situation, is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

img_2608img_2613Once everything was ready, each student got a chance to use droppers and SQUEEZE some of the vinegar onto the baking soda.

img_2642Our students loved seeing the colorful fizz!

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

 

 

 

 

img_2620img_2589For our second experiment, we filled up a measuring cup HALFWAY with vinegar.  We added some food coloring as well.  Our students got to CHOOSE the color glitter they wanted.  They also got to help SQUEEZE some dish soap into the measuring cup.  We STIRRED it up.

 

 

 

 

 

img_2633Finally, we got a big spoonful of baking soda and POURED it into the measuring cup.  We gave it another little stir and watched it foam up!  It was pretty amazing how much foam came out of our experiment!

 

What an exciting week! Join us again next time for more fun and learning——Group by Group!

Apr10

How We Make Money

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How We Make Money

IMG_1290This week our theme compliments the April Unique Curriculum unit for our students. They are learning about money and what we do with it. Our focus is on how we earn it! The sensory groups explored boxes related to specific jobs. The fine motor groups painted job related art projects and the language group got real time job experience—–they made a dessert 🙂

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

IMG_1681IMG_1244Helping people get an education as the President of a University would be a pretty important job to have! If you were the president of FAMU you would cheer on the Rattlers. Our box featured the team colors of ORANGE and GREEN and the little egg shaker we included made rattling sounds when shaken.

The science access point recognize objects that create sounds can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1685IMG_1456Paleontologists study dinosaur bones—–how cool is that! There were four little bones to find buried in our sand and we included a small scoop so they could be buried again.  Of course it was also really fun to watch the sand sift through fingers. This box was lots of fun 🙂

IMG_1292Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1480IMG_1674Veterinarians take care of our pets. There were lots of “medical” supplies in this box for fun pretend play. There were soft cotton balls and gauze as well as a fun stethoscope to try out. Our little vets took good care of their patient!

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

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1268IMG_1506One really cool way to earn money would be as a Rock Star! In addition to finger drums and a tiny toy guitar, there were some star worthy sunglasses and feather boas in this box.

IMG_1679The science access points recognize objects that create sounds and the science access point recognize one or more external body parts can be addressed with this activity.

IMG_1697IMG_1236Everyone got in on the fun……..

IMG_1256…..looks like we have some future superstars in the making 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1525IMG_1299We brought out our underwater umbrella for our budding Marine Biologists. To add to the experience there were orca and humpback whale sounds recorded on a voice output device. Everyone found it fascinating!

IMG_1668Match living things with their habitats is a science access point that can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1220IMG_1631Our little Chefs had fun icing the play food cupcake with whipped (shaving) cream. Great messy fun!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1454IMG_1281Our students got to play Lifeguard by scooping swim rings (made out of water noodle slices) and a little toy figure out of the water. This activity is great for counting and eye hand coordination practice!

IMG_1693Recognize 2 dimensional shapes in the environment is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1723IMG_1720We chose Bath and BodyWorks vanilla sugar scent for our water play and lotion this week because the aroma reminded us of some of the yummy treats that Chefs might make! This is always a popular scent with our students 🙂

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday we talked about Beekeeping and our students made some bees using this: honey bee template  We used yellow poster board for the base so it was a little sturdier and just regular white paper for the wings.

IMG_1322IMG_1323We started by discussing the shape of the bees body—-an oval—-and asked the students to identify the color yellow using communication symbols.

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

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1326IMG_1331Next the students painted black stripes on their bee.

Recognize that the appearance of an object or material has changed is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1342Then they used a glue stick to apply glue to the wing and put it on their bee. We encouraged them to put the wing DOWN onto the bee’s body.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1350With a little help they added a googlie eye by placing in ON a glue spot.

The math access point match one object to a designated space to show one-to-one correspondence is addressed here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1346IMG_1353Ta Da!

IMG_1337                                                                 BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday like Paleontologists, we discovered some dinosaur fossils! To prep this an adult traced this: dinosaur bones template  Instead of making copies of our template, we took another piece of paper to trace over it with a pencil and made copies of that. By doing it that way the outline was very light. One of our fantastic volunteers then filled in each template with glue—-all 7 of them! She used a paint brush and it actually went really fast!

IMG_1561IMG_1562The students identified the shape of the paper using communication symbols—-they did a really great job and we were SO proud 🙂

Recognize 2-dimensional shapes in the environment is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1563IMG_1577Then they dipped their sponge brushes into VERY watery brown paint. You need your paint to be pretty translucent for this project to turn out correctly. As the students brushed the paint over the paper, their fossils appeared—–this was super cool!!!

Recognize that the appearance of an object or material has changed is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1574IMG_1566Ta Dino DA

IMG_1580                                                            Fabulous fossil finds!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

We tied in a couple of the jobs we talked about in our book because we made an edible treat (chef) with honey (beekeepers)!

IMG_1767IMG_1773We started by going around the room and letting our students look at and smell some real honey comb that Joy brought it.  We talked about how it smelled SWEET.  We also talked a lot about looking with our eyes and smelling with our noses, not with our hands!

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

 

 

 

 

IMG_1777IMG_1780Next, we counted out cups for all of our friends.  Each of our students got to indicate how many spoonfuls of vanilla yogurt they wanted by pointing to the numbers 3, 4, or 5.  When scooping out the yogurt, we counted out loud to make sure that we put in the correct amount.

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1800IMG_1807Our students then got to indicate if they wanted strawberries on top by verbalizing yes/no or by nodding/shaking their heads.

Once the strawberries were in, our students helped SQUEEZE the honey onto their yogurt and strawberries.  Finally, we topped the mix with some granola.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1838IMG_1815We think this job was a successful one for our students!

IMG_1822They thought it was a pretty a delicious one as well 🙂

 

We had an absolute blast this week! Join us again next time for more fun and learning—–Group by Group!

Apr10

How We Make Money

Posted on by
How We Make Money

IMG_1290This week our theme compliments the April Unique Curriculum unit for our students. They are learning about money and what we do with it. Our focus is on how we earn it! The sensory groups explored boxes related to specific jobs. The fine motor groups painted job related art projects and the language group got real time job experience—–they made a dessert 🙂

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

IMG_1681IMG_1244Helping people get an education as the President of a University would be a pretty important job to have! If you were the president of FAMU you would cheer on the Rattlers. Our box featured the team colors of ORANGE and GREEN and the little egg shaker we included made rattling sounds when shaken.

The science access point recognize objects that create sounds can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1685IMG_1456Paleontologists study dinosaur bones—–how cool is that! There were four little bones to find buried in our sand and we included a small scoop so they could be buried again.  Of course it was also really fun to watch the sand sift through fingers. This box was lots of fun 🙂

IMG_1292Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1480IMG_1674Veterinarians take care of our pets. There were lots of “medical” supplies in this box for fun pretend play. There were soft cotton balls and gauze as well as a fun stethoscope to try out. Our little vets took good care of their patient!

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

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1268IMG_1506One really cool way to earn money would be as a Rock Star! In addition to finger drums and a tiny toy guitar, there were some star worthy sunglasses and feather boas in this box.

IMG_1679The science access points recognize objects that create sounds and the science access point recognize one or more external body parts can be addressed with this activity.

IMG_1697IMG_1236Everyone got in on the fun……..

IMG_1256…..looks like we have some future superstars in the making 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1525IMG_1299We brought out our underwater umbrella for our budding Marine Biologists. To add to the experience there were orca and humpback whale sounds recorded on a voice output device. Everyone found it fascinating!

IMG_1668Match living things with their habitats is a science access point that can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1220IMG_1631Our little Chefs had fun icing the play food cupcake with whipped (shaving) cream. Great messy fun!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1454IMG_1281Our students got to play Lifeguard by scooping swim rings (made out of water noodle slices) and a little toy figure out of the water. This activity is great for counting and eye hand coordination practice!

IMG_1693Recognize 2 dimensional shapes in the environment is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1723IMG_1720We chose Bath and BodyWorks vanilla sugar scent for our water play and lotion this week because the aroma reminded us of some of the yummy treats that Chefs might make! This is always a popular scent with our students 🙂

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday we talked about Beekeeping and our students made some bees using this: honey bee template  We used yellow poster board for the base so it was a little sturdier and just regular white paper for the wings.

IMG_1322IMG_1323We started by discussing the shape of the bees body—-an oval—-and asked the students to identify the color yellow using communication symbols.

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

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1326IMG_1331Next the students painted black stripes on their bee.

Recognize that the appearance of an object or material has changed is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1342Then they used a glue stick to apply glue to the wing and put it on their bee. We encouraged them to put the wing DOWN onto the bee’s body.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1350With a little help they added a googlie eye by placing in ON a glue spot.

The math access point match one object to a designated space to show one-to-one correspondence is addressed here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1346IMG_1353Ta Da!

IMG_1337                                                                 BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday like Paleontologists, we discovered some dinosaur fossils! To prep this an adult traced this: dinosaur bones template  Instead of making copies of our template, we took another piece of paper to trace over it with a pencil and made copies of that. By doing it that way the outline was very light. One of our fantastic volunteers then filled in each template with glue—-all 7 of them! She used a paint brush and it actually went really fast!

IMG_1561IMG_1562The students identified the shape of the paper using communication symbols—-they did a really great job and we were SO proud 🙂

Recognize 2-dimensional shapes in the environment is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1563IMG_1577Then they dipped their sponge brushes into VERY watery brown paint. You need your paint to be pretty translucent for this project to turn out correctly. As the students brushed the paint over the paper, their fossils appeared—–this was super cool!!!

Recognize that the appearance of an object or material has changed is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1574IMG_1566Ta Dino DA

IMG_1580                                                            Fabulous fossil finds!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

We tied in a couple of the jobs we talked about in our book because we made an edible treat (chef) with honey (beekeepers)!

IMG_1767IMG_1773We started by going around the room and letting our students look at and smell some real honey comb that Joy brought it.  We talked about how it smelled SWEET.  We also talked a lot about looking with our eyes and smelling with our noses, not with our hands!

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

 

 

 

 

IMG_1777IMG_1780Next, we counted out cups for all of our friends.  Each of our students got to indicate how many spoonfuls of vanilla yogurt they wanted by pointing to the numbers 3, 4, or 5.  When scooping out the yogurt, we counted out loud to make sure that we put in the correct amount.

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1800IMG_1807Our students then got to indicate if they wanted strawberries on top by verbalizing yes/no or by nodding/shaking their heads.

Once the strawberries were in, our students helped SQUEEZE the honey onto their yogurt and strawberries.  Finally, we topped the mix with some granola.

 

 

 

 

IMG_1838IMG_1815We think this job was a successful one for our students!

IMG_1822They thought it was a pretty a delicious one as well 🙂

 

We had an absolute blast this week! Join us again next time for more fun and learning—–Group by Group!