We had a pretty colorful week—–literally 🙂  We have been wanting to do a color theme for a while and were inspired by our friend @teachezwell.me who has been posting a series of colorful photos. So with spring on the way, this seemed like the perfect time! Our sensory group boxes were filled with a feast of colors. The fine motor group painted with colorful ice cubes and the language group conducted experiments of the colorful sort.

Let’s explore some of the rainbow of colors that make up our world!

 

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

The BLUE box was filled with a variety of items and textures for our students to explore—–all in a base of bright blue basket filler.

It was a lot of fun to put together and LOTS of fun for the students to explore.

Recognize and respond to different types of sensory stimuli is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just like the blue box, our ORANGE was filled different objects and textures. Fake “spaghetti” strands made the base of this box then we added pumpkins, balls, —–and a great big shaker pompom that was a totally favorite!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students were fascinated by the PINK sand in this box. It was pretty mesmerizing to watch as it was sifted through the strainer.

 

Track objects in motion is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This PURPLE slime had a pretty weird jello-like texture and while some of the students were a little hesitant to touch it, others dove right in! We made this using a non-borax recipe found on the internet.

Pretty cool stuff!

The science access point recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We cut up portfolio covers and other pieces of translucent plastic to make our GREEN light box. Light boxes are always a hit with our students and this one was no exception!

 

Recognize sources of light is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our giant RED ladybug cushion was a big hit. Not only did it feel soft but when hugged it VIBRATED——how fun is that!

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Color surprise was theme of our water play this week. Bath tablets (from Crayola) dropped into the water turned it into a different color for each group.

 

The science access point recognize a change in an object can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

 

We finished with some WHITE lotion—–sea island cotton from Bath and Body Works. The students really liked the aroma and the feeling of the lotion rubbed on their different body parts such as arm or neck.

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

Ms. Maria gave us the idea for this week’s art project—–painting with ice cubes!

We started by discussing the shape of our paper and the students used communication symbols to identify a rectangle.

 

Recognize a common object with a two-dimensional shape is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

 

Then we started painting with the colorful ice cube “brushes”. The students really enjoyed this activity.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

The switch operated massager helped one of our students move his ice cubes around the paper.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ta DA!!!!

                                                                      Just fabulous!

 

 

 

 

LANGUGAGE GROUP

We found some cool experiments that used COLOR for our language group this week.

The first one we did was Fireworks in a Jar.  Our students helped pour some WARM water into a small vase, filling it up about 3/4 of the way.

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 in this activity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We put about 2 tablespoons of oil in a small dish and squeezed some different colored drops of food coloring into the oil.  We passed it around so our students could see that the food coloring did not spread all around but looked like little dots in the oil—-pretty cool!

Then, we stirred up the oil/food coloring so that the bigger dots broke off into even smaller little dots.

 

 

 

 

Finally, we poured the oil SLOWLY into the water.  After a couple of seconds, the food coloring started to spread down into the water, resembling fireworks!

WOW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next experiment we learned how mixing 2 colors creates a new color.  For our first try, we put some blue food coloring on one corner of a gallon bag and then squirted some clear hair gel onto it.  On the other corner of the bag, we put some red food coloring and gel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We turned off the lights, taped the bag onto a light box, and our students squished the gel all around.   It was pretty fascinating to watch the colors change and even cooler  to see it on the light box!

We did the same with yellow and red and our students watched as the colors changed into orange. VERY eye catching!

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

 

 

What a fantastic week——–join us again next time for more fun and learning Group by Group!