We traveled again this week but a little closer to home—-the great state of Louisiana! Our sensory groups explored boxes related to facts and symbols of the state. The fine motor groups used markers and crayons to complete their projects and the language group led a Mardi Gras parade.
It was a really fun week that both students and staff enjoyed—–so let the good times roll!
SENSORY GROUP
This box was filled with symbols of Louisiana including the state bird (pelican), beverage (milk), amphibian (frog), honey bees (insect), and mammal (black bear). We also recorded a version of “You are my Sunshine” one of the state songs, on a voice output device. All of this was put on a base of paper shred in state colors: blue, white, and gold!
Recognize a model of a really object is a science access point.
We made 3 discovery bottles made using the state colors. One was all gold and one was all blue. The third was a mixture of white, blue, and gold beads floating around in gold glitter. VERY eye catching!
The science access point track objects in motion can be addressed here.
New Orleans, Louisiana is known for its Mardi Gras celebrations and the colorful beads thrown from the floats during parades! This box was filled with beads in Mardi Gras colors. Fun to look at, wear, touch, or watch move when pushed or shaken.
Track the movement of objects that are pushed or pulled is a science access point.
Looking super cute while wearing Mardi Gras beads–
that’s just how our students roll 🙂
This Mardi Gras rice was made for a unit we did a while ago and it was fun bringing it out again. It really is one of our prettiest mixtures and is just so eye catching! We put in letter L’s and a map of Louisiana for the students to find.
The social studies access point, associate an object, picture, or symbol with a location can be addressed here.
We made some sunshine yellow play dough for the state song “You are my sunshine”. The students had fun squeezing together, pulling apart, or rolling the play dough into balls. We also included a little textured rolling pin to make some “sun rays” and a cookie cutter letter L to add to the fun.
Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
For our messy play we went back to the Louisiana state colors—-we sprinkled BLUE and YELLOW glitter into WHITE shaving cream! The students had fun making swirls, lines, letter L’s, or just squishing it between fingers 🙂
The science access point recognize pushing and pulling an object makes it move is again addressed here.
We put some plastic crawfish and a rubber alligator to swim around in our water this week. Bath and BodyWorks vanilla sugar bath gel was also added because we thought it smelled like beignets—-those yummy New Orleans donuts!
The science access point match animals that are the same can be addressed here.
The matching lotion was a hit with our students this week. They really liked its sweet aroma and after having it rubbed on hands and arms they left the group smelling like yummy beignets!
Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.
On Wednesday we made some trumpets in honor of Louis Armstrong who was born in Louisiana. We used the state colors again for this project!
We started by asking the students to identify a rectangle——the shape of the paper we were going to use.
Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes is a math access point.
Then they used markers and crayons to color or draw on their papers.
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
The drawings were wrapped around paper towel tubes that had been taped to paper bowls and……….TA DA!
Our students are ready to play a little jazz!
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Tuesday the students decorated a pelican, the state bird, using this: pelican-template
First we discussed the state colors and asked the students to identify the color blue using communication symbols.
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.
Then the students scribbled on their penguins with blue and yellow markers. One of our students scribbled using a pressure switch activated vibrating massager with a marker glued to it. He activates switches using his elbow and is getting really good at it!
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
TA Da! We love the Pelican State!
LANGUAGE GROUP
Since Mardi Gras is coming up, we decided to have our own Mardi Gras celebration!
Our language group entertained the entire elementary staff and students with a small parade around the building.
Our students dressed up in hats and boas and gave out beads to all of the spectators. We even put on some zydeco music to walk to!
It was a fun crowd after all——– everyone loves a parade!
We are a really fun bunch 🙂
Once we rounded everyone up, we gathered together in the multi-purpose room for our party!
What is a party without cake and ice cream! We had King cake of course and topped with vanilla ice cream (thanks Jeannie) with apple juice to drink. The students requested what they wanted using communication symbol sentence strips.
YUMMY!!
With zydeco music playing, we had to start dancing 🙂
Our students have moves!!!!
Whether sitting and listening to music or getting their groove on—–
the students had a blast!
The photo booth was also so much fun and we had lots of colorful props!
Lots of opportunities for communication as the students had to communicate which props they wanted for their photos.
All of the dancing and fellowship was awesome and we all had a great time!
We hope your week was as fun filled as ours!
Be sure and join us next time for fun and learning——Group by Group!
We’re taking another trip this week and finding some cool things out about the state of Louisiana. The book includes some facts about Louisiana such as what it’s nickname is, the state flower, and one of the state songs. Of course we had to include a little bit about Mardi Gras in there! One of our students is featured on the front next to a cool looking parade float while the back features one of our teachers with a student from her class.
Find out some new things about Louisiana by reading the book!
Here is a link to the book: lets-learn-about-louisiana
