Tag Archives: goo bag

At the Hoedown

At the Hoedown

IMG_0995One of the most fun activities our PE department does is hold a annual “hoedown”. At the hoedown, each class performs an original square dance they practiced during PE.  It is always so much fun that we decided it would be this week’s theme! The sensory group explored boxes with textures and symbols associated with hoedowns. The fine motor groups made colorful art projects and the language group invited their friends to a hoedown.

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

IMG_0702IMG_0911We put some sawdust at the bottom of this box to give it that “barn like” feel. The sawdust was not super fine so no dust was kicked up when little fingers ran through it. It really had an interesting texture that our students found enticing. There were some barn animals and square dancers to find as well as the word FRIENDS.

IMG_0920The science access point select an object or picture to represent observed events.

 

 

 

 

IMG_0928IMG_0755It wouldn’t be a hoedown without music! We recorded some appropriate music on a voice output device and our students rocked along with a bean bottle shaker. Needless to say, fun was had!

IMG_0601Recognize objects that create sounds is a science access point.

 

IMG_0554IMG_0598So did we mention how much fun the students had—–and how totally cute they looked 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
IMG_0761IMG_0726There were lots of colorful bandanas and a bandana garland in this box. The students had fun waving and shaking the items. There was also an opportunity to compare the SOFT cotton of the bandanas with the ROUGH feel of the burlap on the banner.

Recognize differences in objects or pictures is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_0841IMG_0608We included 2 cookie cutters—-a boot and hat—- with the blue moonsand in this box.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_0534IMG_0613Each classroom decides the kinds of patterns they form in their square dance.  The students practiced making some of those same kind of  lines—– such as  straight, curved, or zigzag—- in our Goo Bag (made with hair gel and confetti stars).

We found that double bagging the gel and taping all four sides down onto the tray helped make it a little more durable.

 

IMG_0833Initiate a change in the motion of an object are science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_0756IMG_0558There were both upper and lower case letter H’s to find in our rice, dyed blue and yellow which are our school colors.

There was a cute cowboy hat to find at the bottom of the box.

IMG_0732Recognize that pushing or pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_0610IMG_0832Country apple scent from Bath and BodyWorks seemed the perfect scent for our hoedown unit! We put some of the bath gel in our water play and it really was a nice aroma. There were 2 different size scoops to add to the fun.

Recognize different containers that hold liquids is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_0632IMG_0955The matching lotion was very popular with our students. As usual, after we asked them to smell the lotion, we asked them to show us where they wanted it applied.

 

 

 

IMG_0953The science access point recognize one or more external body parts can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday our students used markers and stickers to decorate a cowboy boot using this: boot template.

IMG_0638IMG_0650We started by asking the students to choose a marker and identify it’s color using communication symbols.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as size or color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_0651IMG_0670Our students did a great job coloring within the designated area!

IMG_0681Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_0645IMG_0688Applying stickers was great for practicing pincer grasp skills. The students were able to brush up on their math skills by counting the stickers as they were placed on the boots!

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_0646IMG_0675Ta yeehaw Da!

IMG_0690                                                                                 Ready for the hoedown!

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday the students made a poster and used this: hoedown girl and boy template to decorate it.

IMG_0788IMG_0789First we asked the students to use communication symbols to identify our paint color—–they did an awesome job!

Match objects with similar observable properties, such as size, shape, color, or texture is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

IMG_0793IMG_0797Then they stamped “hay” on the poster using UP and DOWN movements. Our stamper was made using a piece of fringed craft foam folded in half and held together with rubber bands.

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

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_0815IMG_0811Next it was time to add dancers—–we have our fantastic volunteers to thank for getting them ready for us. We asked the students to find the one with their picture on it, apply glue, and attach it to the poster.

The math access point recognize when an object is added (addition) or is taken away from (subtraction) a situation.

 

 

 

 

IMG_0823IMG_1042Ta Da—-swing your partner round and round!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

IMG_1004So since we were talking about hoedowns this week we HAD to have one! After we read the book, 2 of our little cowpokes moseyed on down to the other elementary classrooms to invite their friends to join the fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1005IMG_1008We had some cider and vittles—-otherwise known as apple juice, ice cream, and chips 🙂

It was pretty TASTY!

 

 

 

IMG_1011                                                                                        YUM!

 

 

 

IMG_1015IMG_1036There was a fun photo booth….

IMG_1145                                                                 Say “round ’em up cowboy”!

 

 

 

 

IMG_1019IMG_1037Of course we did some square dancing—-you can’t have a hoedown without dancing!

We pulled up a bunch of different bluegrass videos from YouTube on the Smart Board and took a turn around the dance floor.

IMG_1024Yeehaw!

 

 

 

IMG_1035IMG_1009A good time was had by all 🙂

IMG_0767Join us again next week for more fun and learning——Group by Group!