One of our staff members, Ms. Ellen, recently travelled to Scotland so this week we learned about the country of Tartan—-and so much more! Our sensory groups explored boxes related to facts about Scotland. The fine motor groups made symbols of the country art projects and the language group made a Scots inspired treat!
SENSORY GROUP
Since Ms. Ellen took a plane to get to there, we replicated the airplane experience using a vibrating massager and jet sounds recorded on a voice output device.
Of course, our plane ride lasted a whopping 3 minutes——just a tad shorter than the real thing 🙂
The vibrating tube was a HUGE hit with the students!
Recognize and respond to different types of sensory stimuli is science access point.
We used rice in the colors of the Scottish flag for this box. There were letter “S”s to find and a map of the country at the bottom of the box. We also put in 2 different sized scoops.
Recognize similarities and differences in size of objects is a math access point.
The background of the Scottish flag is blue, so we pulled out our blue moon sand this week. The students used 2 different sized cookie cutters to stamp letter “S” into the sand.
Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.
This box had a variety of items associated with Scotland including their national animal—-the unicorn! Symbols of famous Scottish authors such as J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes), and Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island) were a fun addition.
We also included a passport, a voice output device with some bagpipe music recorded on it, and a phone for Alexander Graham bell was pretty popular!
Lots to explore here!
Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.
There are over 3000 castles in Scotland—–how cool is that! The students had fun making their own castles using grey Floam. We laminated some props including a kilted Scotsman.
Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
Oatmeal added to our oobleck turned it into “porridge” this week! This lumpy oobleck was certainly a different texture and pretty  fascinating to our students—-although some were a little hesitant to actually touch it.
The science access point track objects in motion is a science access point.
The students found cute little Nessie  swimming around in “Loch”. You will notice that Nessie bears a striking resemblance to a My Little Pony seahorse 🙂 We also included 2 different sized scoops for added fun.
Recognize differences in sizes of containers that hold liquids is a math access point.
Since Scotland gets a lot of rainy weather, Bath and BodyWorks rain kissed leaves seemed a good scent to use this week. The students really liked the soft scent.
Recognize one or more external body parts.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Tuesday, our students made the Scottish flag.
First, using communication symbols we identified the shape and color of our paper.
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.
Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes is a math access point.
Then we cut 1 strip of white paper into 2 pieces using switch operated scissors or paper cutters.
Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.
Next the students were asked to glue down the strips of paper in the shape of an X.
The math access point recognize when an object is added to a situation can be addressed here.
TA DA!!!!!!!!
We love Scotland!
On Wednesday, our students turned into Unicorns using paper plates !
We started by using communication symbols to identify the shape of our paper.
Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes is a math access point.
Then the used a glue stick to “color” their triangle. The glue in these sticks comes out purple which makes it easy to see.
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
Next, the students sprinkled pink and purple glitter onto the glue. Of course we sang our “shake that glitter” song (adapted from KC and the Sunshine Band’s famous song) 🙂
Track falling objects is a science access point.
The students glued their triangles DOWN on to a precut paper plate.
Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down, is a math access point.
TA DA!!!!
We just spotted some Unicorns!
LANGUAGE GROUP
We made a popular Scottish dessert this week–raspberry cranachan. Typically, this dessert has whiskey in it so we had to do some searching to find a kid friendly recipe. Here is that recipe: Let_s Make Raspberry Cranachan
Cara had prepared the toasted oats before the group so we were able to skip the first part of the recipe.
Our students requested to put the whipping cream in the bowl. We talked about how it was a liquid when it was poured into the bowl Each of our students took turns pressing the switch to activate the mixer.  Once it thickened up, we talked about how it had turned into a solid.
Identify objects and materials as solid or liquid is an access point.
Next, we added some mascarpone and mixed that together with the whipping cream.
Recognize when an object has been added to a situation is a math access point.
We added some honey and caramel sauce next. We talked about how we were using a measuring spoon because we needed a smaller amount of each ingredient. Our students got to taste the caramel sauce.
Recognize differences in sizes of containers that hold liquids is a math access point.
Before we added the honey and caramel sauce we tasted them. We talked about how they tasted SWEET.
This taste test received a unanimous thumbs up 🙂
Once the ingredients were all mixed up, we counted out cups for each of our students. We layered the cups with raspberries, the whipped cream mix, raspberry preserves, and toasted oats.
The consensus was a positive one!
Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.
It was a great week and we enjoyed learning so much about Scotland. Join us next time for more fun and learning——Group by Group!