Tag Archives: kids

Feb9

Local African American Leaders

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Local African American Leaders

For Black History Month we are taking a look at some of our local African American leaders. Our sensory groups explored boxes related to each of the people featured in the book. Our fine motor group made a banner and the language group made a yummy recipe!

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

Our sheriff, Walt McNeil, wears a gold star on his chest.

 

 

 

 

The students used two different sized star shaped cookie cutters to make stars out of gold kinetic sand.

Science access point: recognize the larger of two objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doris Maloy is our county tax collector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since Ms. Maloy has to deal with numbers all day, we mixed numbers 1-5 with dollar sign and colorful pasta.

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students got to pretend to be doctors like Dr. Friall who is the chief medical officer at one of our  hospitals.

 

 

 

 

 

We included some cute little patients and a variety of play medical instruments in this box.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casanova Nurse is a meteorologist for a local TV station.

 

 

 

 

 

Weather related items filled this box, including a fan, rain stick, slinky rainbow…..

….craft foam sun flakes, and a thunder tube.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Science access point: recognize different types of weather conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coach Leonard Hamilton is leading FSU basketball to a winning season!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students helped cheer on the team using colorful pom poms.

Science access point: distinguish between objects in motion and at rest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dean Anthony Jones oversees the math and science department at TCC.

 

 

 

 

 

Oobleck is a science experiment to begin with but when we add bath crackles it become even cooler!

Science access point: track the movement of objects that are pushed or pulled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joy Bowen is on our school board. In her spare time, she likes to go fishing with her family!

 

 

 

 

 

Our little pond contained 3 fish that squirted water when squeezed. We also included a net and measuring cup for scooping fun.

Math access point: recognize differences in size of objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We chose Bath and Body Works cucumber melon scent this week.

 

 

 

 

 

The scent reminded us of foods that Chef Shac, a Chopped champion, might prepare.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

Due to scheduling, we were only able to have one fine motor group this week. The students made a banner using photos of our local African American leaders.

First, the students identified the color of the yarn.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, they chose a hero and glued the name UNDERNEATH  their photo.

 

 

 

 

 

Math access point: recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship.

 

 

 

 

 

Next, they threaded their hero on to the banner using a big plastic needle attached to the green yarn.

 

 

 

 

 

Math access point: recognize the next step in a sequence of activities.

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!!

We are celebrating our local African American Leaders!

 

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

We made a recipe that we think Chef Shac would enjoy.  Since we learned that Chef Shac started cooking using Bahamian recipes, we found a healthy and tasty recipe we think can represent the islands.  Here’s the recipe we used:  Let’s Make Mango Salsa

We started out measuring the mangos. Since the recipe said to cut up 2 mangos, we wanted to measure it out to see how much that would be.  We found that it came out to 2 cups.  A student HELPED to PUT them in the bowl.

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

 

 

 

 

Next, we found out how much a half of a chopped red pepper measured out to, which was 1 cup.  We PUT that in the bowl.

Math access point: recognize parts of whole objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it was time to measure out 2 tbsp of onion, our students had to indicate which measuring spoon was the tablespoon.  They were prompted to find the BIG one.

We measured out 2 tbsp of cilantro after that and PUT that into the bowl.

Math access point: recognize differences in size of objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it was time to measure out lime juice, our students HELPED squeeze our hand juicer.  Once we measured out the amount we needed for the recipe, each student got to try some lime juice.

 

 

 

They had to indicate whether it was SWEET or SOUR.  Our students did the same when measuring out the lemon juice.  We got some pretty great reactions 🙂

 

 

 

 

Finally, our students had to STIR up the ingredients.

They requested a plate, some salsa, and some chips.

 

 

 

 

Pretty yum!

 

 

Join us next time for more fun and learning—–Group by Group!

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Jan31

Let’s Learn About Famous People From France book

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Let’s Learn About Famous People From France book

In honor of National Croissant Day (January 30), we are taking a look back at some of the famous French people in history.  We had lots of help from some of our students who dressed up like the famous French people we found, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Joan of Arc, and Jacques Cousteau, just to name few of them.  You’ll have to check out the book to see which other famous French we learned about.

 

 

Here’s a link to the book: Let’s Learn About Famous People From France

Jan31

Let’s Learn About Famous People From France

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Let’s Learn About Famous People From France

January 30 is National Croissant Day and to celebrate, we decided to learn about famous people in French History! Our sensory groups explored boxes dedicated to some of the different people we learned about. The fine motor groups crafted art projects inspired by some creative French geniuses and the language group made a tasty French snack!

 

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

We used red, white, and blue rice to represent the colors of the French flag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were pictures of Napoleon both in and underneath the box as well as letter N’s to find.

Science access point: recognize objects as the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marquis de Lafayette helped us win the Revolutionary War so we made a patriotic box for him!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students explored pasta in different patriotic shapes including the Liberty Bell, flag, and star.

Science access point: match objects with similar observable properties, such as shape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Marie Curie we used colorful discovery bottles that looked like they contained science experiments!

 

 

 

 

 

Their whirling, swirling contents were all pretty mesmerizing!

Science access point: track objects in motion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students made castles out of sand and wooden blocks in this box dedicated to Joan of Arc.

 

 

 

 

We found some plastic knights in the dollar store and included some of them too.

Science access point: recognize that objects can stick together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coco Chanel was a famous designer. We filled her box with a variety of items including beads, fabric, sunglasses, and some fashion model dolls.

 

 

 

 

There were lots of different textures to explore!

Our fashionistas had a blast 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

Science access point: recognize and respond to different types of sensory stimuli.

 

 

 

 

 

We made royal oobleck using bright food coloring and LOTS of gold glitter for King Louis the XIV!

Colorful, shiny and very eye catching.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jacques Cousteau’s ocean was filled with ocean animals, different sized measuring cups, and a large “net”.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the fish squirted water when squeezed—-so much fun 🙂

Science access point: match living things with their habitats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Nostradamus had predicted we would use Bath and Body Works french lavender this week he would have been right 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Put on arms, necks, hands, or ears—-the perfect scent to go with a French unit!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday we made some Degas ballerinas using coffee filters!

First, we identified the shape of the coffee filter.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also identified the color of our markers.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then each student colored 2 coffee filters.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, we folded the coffee filters in HALF and then into QUARTERS.

Math access point: recognize a half of an object as part of the whole object.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We glued them onto a ballerina coloring page—-to make the ballerina’s tutu! The coloring page was an internet freebie.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TA—let’s dance— DA!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Degas worthy ballerinas!

 

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday, the students became fashion designers like Coco Chanel!

First, the students identified the shape of the fabric swatches.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They chose a variety of fabric squares and began gluing them down on to a shirt shaped poster board. We used food coloring to tint the glue a little bit to make it easier for the students to see.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

TA—-runway—- DA!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our students are fashion designers….

…..and ready for the show!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

We celebrated National Croissant day by making some croissant sandwiches!  Here is the recipe that we used: Let’s Make Croissant Sandwiches

We started out by measuring 3 cups of chicken.  Since our measuring cup only holds 2 cups, we measured out the 2 cups and then our students indicated that we needed MORE.  After measuring out the chicken, we PUT it in the BOWL.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, we had to measure out a cup of chopped pickles.  Students HELPED to measure and PUT the pickles in the BOWL.

We added some chopped celery next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the celery, we had to measure out 1 cup of mayonnaise and a 1/4 cup of mustard.  Students had to indicate which measuring cup was SMALLER to show which one was the 1/4 cup.

 

Math access point: identify parts of a whole.

 

 

 

 

 

Once we added all of the ingredients to the bowl, students had to HELP STIR them all up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each student had to request a plate and a croissant.  Once they had each item, they had to request some chicken salad.  If they were not given as much as they wanted, they had to request MORE.

Math access point: indicate desire for more an action or object.

For the most part, our students enjoyed making and eating their croissant sandwich!  It was a pretty good croissant celebration 🙂

 

 

 

Join us again next time for more fun and learning—–Group by Group!

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Jan24

Let’s Go On An Adventure book

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Let’s Go On An Adventure book

We had so much fun getting this book together for our adventure theme this week.  There are so many different adventures you can go on!  We have pictures of our students running with dinosaurs, going on a safari, and walking on the moon. There are several other adventures that they took as well!  Read the book to find out what cool adventures you can go on.

 

 

Here is a link to the book: Let’s Go On An Adventure

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!

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Jan19

Hobbies book

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Hobbies book

We’re talking all about the different hobbies that people can have.  Our book is filled with some of the hobbies that our staff participate in, like gardening, cooking, and reading.  It was lots of fun reading this book because our students would get so excited to see the familiar staff members.  Take a look and see if you have any of the same hobbies!

 

 

Here is a link to the book: There Are Lots Of Different Hobbies

Jan19

Hobbies

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Hobbies

For National Hobby Month we let staff take center stage in our book this week. The sensory groups explored boxes related to specific hobbies. The fine motor groups made art projects using techniques from some of our hobbyists and the language group made a tasty treat!

 

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

Ms. Trenisha collects elephants—-how cool is that! There were lots of different elephant items in this box including a hat, plush toys, and a discovery bottle with floating elephant beads.

 

 

 

There was also an accordion tube the students could use to form their own elephant trunks.

The accordion tube was a hit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Laurie loves to cross stitch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students stamped letter X’s into purple Bubber——our version of cross stitching 🙂

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Noah and Ms. Betsy enjoy gardening. We put a variety of vegetables in our play dirt this week and let the students dig their own gardens.

 

 

 

 

We also included a small rake.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coach Kevin likes to golf in his spare time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students made golf balls with white Floam.

Math access point: recognize three-dimensional objects, such as balls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Kim enjoys reading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since animals are always fun to read about, we put some cool magnets that spelled the animal words into a box of beans.

Science access point: match objects by an observable property, such as shape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Brenda loves to bake! For her box we brought out some chocolate cloud dough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A variety of different sized scoops and spoons were used to fill up a small cupcake tin.

Math access point: recognize differences in size of objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In her spare time, Ms. Thea  likes to go kayaking and fishing.

 

 

 

 

 

The students had fun seeing how many fish they could catch in our pond.

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To go along with our gardeners, we chose a fruity scent this week.

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry guava was a perfect choice!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday the students made a tissue paper collage on a paper plate!

First, they identified the shape of their paper plate.

Math access point: recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, they tore colorful tissue paper into smaller pieces and glued them down on to their plates.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made collages like Ms. Jessica!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday the students practiced their painting skills by painting with water! Thank you Ms. Jeannie for donating “paint with water” coloring books!

First, they identified the shape of of their paper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Math access point: recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape.

 

 

 

 

 

Next, the students dampened their paint brushes with water and began painting. It was so cool watching the paint appear!

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Glue was added to the back of the picture—-we followed the shape of the paper reminding the students that it was a RECTANGLE.

Then they glued their picture on to a BIGGER rectangle!

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!

We are artists like Ms. Judy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a great hobby!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

We made yummy banana pudding parfaits this week in the language group.  Here’s the recipe that we used: Let’s Make Banana Pudding Parfaits

We started out by PUTTING instant vanilla pudding mix into a BOWL.  The student who HELPED was given the box of pudding mix.  If they were unable to open it, they requested HELP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the pudding mix was in the bowl, we measured out 2 cups of milk.  We poured one carton of milk into the measuring cup and found that we needed MORE.  We found that 2 cartons of milk from the cafeteria equals 2 cups!

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Each student had a change to HELP MIX the ingredients up.  Since each student helped out, they were asked “who’s next” after their turn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, we crushed up some vanilla wafers.  Each time a student was finished HELPING, we observed the bag to see if they needed to be crushed up MORE or if we were ALL DONE.

 

 

 

We adapted our glitter song and sang “crush your cookies instead of shake your glitter 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each student had to request a CUP.  Then they had to request the ingredients to build the parfait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First, they requested the crushed cookies.  We PUT some pudding on top of that and then added 3 slices of banana.  Each student counted out 3 slices.

 

 

 

 

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

 

 

 

 

Finally, we PUT some whipped cream on top.  Each student was only given a small amount, so they had to indicate whether they wanted MORE or they were ALL DONE.  When the parfait was all ready, they had to request a SPOON.

 

 

 

 

I think we can all agree with Ms. Brenda that cooking can be a very fun hobby 🙂

 

 

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.

Jan12

1920s book

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1920s book

We took a look back 100 years to see what kinds of things were happening in the 1920s.  We found out some pretty interesting things like women getting the right to vote, Charles Lindbergh flying solo across the Atlantic ocean, and the invention of sliced bread and bubblegum.  We have one of our students on the front as a flapper and one on the back as a child of the 1920s.  Take a look and see how much the times have changed!

 

 

Here is a link to the book: What Happened In The 1920s?

Jan12

1920’s

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1920’s

Just into a brand new decade we decided to look back—–WAY back to the 1920’s! The sensory groups explored boxes related to different events of the decade. The fine motor groups crafted projects with paint and cardboard. The language group made a vintage recipe.

 

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

Rice in the colors of the Suffragette movement, celebrated the ratification of the 19th amendment which gave women the right to vote.

 

 

 

 

 

There were numbers 1 9 2 0 and a picture of Suffragettes to find at the bottom of the box.

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 1920’s was known as the Jazz Age!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students enjoyed listening to some jazz recorded on a voice output device while exploring beads—-like the flappers used to wear.

Science access point: recognize objects that create sounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We found out the traffic light was invented in 1923 by Garret Morgan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students had fun sorting red, yellow, and green pompoms.

Science access point: match objects with similar observable properties, such as shape or color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Lindberg completed the first transatlantic plane flight in 1927. A vibrating massager simulated the feel of an old-time airplane.

 

 

 

 

To add to the effect we included some goggles and a toy airplane—-the students had a blast!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

The massager REALLY was a hit 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stock market crash, which led to the great depression, occurred in 1929. The students looked for coins hidden in dollar symbol pasta (mixed with some regular pasta).

 

 

 

 

The students had fun exploring the different coins or shaking the pasta.

Social studies access point: recognize an example of money.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baseball was considered the “national pastime” in the 1920’s. We learned that Babe Ruth set a home run record that stood for 70 years—-how cool is that!

 

 

 

 

We had the students make circles, like baseballs, in shaving cream.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mickey Mouse first appeared in Steamboat Willie in 1928.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our water play this week featured a small toy tugboat and Mickey character.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bubblegum was invented in 1928 so we chose that as our scent this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We used Mr. Bubble bubble bath in our water and instead of lotion we used bubblegum scented Chapstick (applied to wrists or behind ears—-not on lips, of course!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday we made model airplanes using cardboard rolls and tongue depressors!

First, the students chose their paint color—they had a choice between red or blue.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Then, they painted their planes.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our pilots are ready for their transatlantic flight!

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday the students made trumpets using paper bowls  and cardboard tubes. We hot glued the paper bowls and valves to the cardboard tubes prior to the start of the activity.

First, the students identified the shape of trumpet’s opening.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, they applied gold paint.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!!

Let’s  play some jazz!

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

This week we made a recipe that people in the 1920s would eat: a Waldorf salad.  Here is the recipe we used: Let’s Make A Waldorf Salad

We started out by PUTTING a chopped apple into the bowl.  On the recipe page, the students saw what a whole apple looks like next to a chopped apple.  We saw that they look DIFFERENT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, we measured out 1 cup of quartered grapes.  Students had to identify the measuring cup on their communication board.  They also had to observe to see when the grapes reached the 1 cup mark.  If there weren’t enough grapes, they had to indicate MORE.

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

 

 

 

 

 

We PUT 2 stalks of chopped celery into the BOWL and followed that up with 1/4 cup of raisins and 1/4 cup walnuts.  Students observed that 1/4 cup is LESS than 1 cup.

 

 

 

Math access point: distinguish parts of objects from whole objects.

 

 

 

 

Finally, we measured out some plain Greek yogurt.  Students HELPED by making sure it was measured out correctly before it was PUT into the bowl.

Each student had a chance to STIR the ingredients together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students had to request a PLATE and a SPOON.  They had to indicate that they WANTED salad.  Only a small amount was put on their plate and they had to request MORE.

We thought it was a pretty delicious healthy recipe!

 

 

 

 

 

Join us again next time for more fun and learning—-Group by Group!

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Dec22

Oh What Fun We Had This Year book

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Oh What Fun We Had This Year book

We took a look back at the different groups that we had this year and chose some of the sensory boxes that we thought our students enjoyed the most, like kinetic sand, beans, and slime.  Our book has lots of different pictures of our students engaging with these boxes throughout the year.  The front of the book features 2 of our students celebrating the end of 2019 while the 2 students on the back are celebrating the new year, 2020!

 

 

 

Here is a link to the book: Oh What Fun We Had This Year!