This 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
Galileo 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.
Stephen 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.
The 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!
Distinguish between hot and cold objects is a science access point.
We 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.
Kepler 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.
Mary 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.
Since 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.
Charles 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.
Since 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!
We 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.
Then 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.
Next 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.
Sparkly stars were added using chunky silver glitter.
Recognize that the appearance of an object or material has changed is a science access point.
Ta Da!
                                 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!
First 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.
We 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.
TA 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
For 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.
Recognize when an object is added to (addition) a situation, is a science access point.
Once everything was ready, each student got a chance to use droppers and SQUEEZE some of the vinegar onto the baking soda.
Our students loved seeing the colorful fizz!
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
For 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.
Finally, 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!