This is a bittersweet time of year for us—-the time we say goodbye to our graduating seniors. For our unit, we are focusing on all the fun aspects of graduation. The sensory groups explored boxes with lots of different textures and colors. The fine motor group art projects were all about shapes and the language group made a unique dessert!

 

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

We put a lot of fun items in this box, including an actual graduation cap! Also included were mylar balloons, play money, toy camera, phone, sunglasses, etc.

Always fun to see what intrigues each student.

 

 

 

Pomp and Circumstance was recorded on a voice output device.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The numbers 2 0 1 9 were found in colorful confetti rice.

 

 

 

 

 

At the bottom of the box was a picture of a cute owl in a cap and gown.

Math access point: associate quantities with number names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This box was dedicated to our school mascot—–an owl!

 

 

 

 

 

There were 2 plush owls and a fluffy feather boa that reminded us of owl feathers.

Math access point: recognize similarities and differences in size of objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some graduates go on to college programs, so we represented that choice with a box of colorful cheerleader pompoms in the colors of nearby Universities.

 

 

 

 

So much fun to shake—-go team!

Science access point: recognize the change in the motion of an object.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parties are a part of graduation events and when you have a party there is usually CAKE! Our cloud dough was made using strawberry cake mix and it smelled SO good!

 

 

 

We put a small spoon and a larger measuring cup as well as toy whisk.

 

Math access point: recognize similarities and differences in size of objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping in the celebratory mood we added some colorful Mr. Bubble bath crackles into our oobleck.

 

 

 

 

The snap, crackle, and pop sounds were really fun!

Science access point: track objects in motion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some lucky graduates might get to go on a cruise! We put in a couple of little boats to float around a mini ocean. There were also some fun fishy bath toys and pool noodle pieces.

 

 

 

Coconut scented bath gel made for some aromatic bubbles!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our scent this week is a follow up on the cruise experience and so we used a True Blue lotion called Tahiti Sweetie. We thought it would smell like coconut, but it turned out that it smelled like mango!

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday, the students made decorative banners.

First, they identified a triangle using communication symbols.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, they used paper cutters, switch operated scissors, and regular scissors to cut out triangles.

Science access point: recognize a change in an object.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They used star stampers and glitter to decorate their triangles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little curling ribbon finished it off!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

TA DA!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We celebrate our graduates!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday, the students made graduation caps using paper bowls.

First, they identified the shape of their paper using communication symbols.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, they used markers to decorate their squares. We had previously cut the 8 inch squares out of poster board.

They could draw any design they wanted, but we did encourage them to use different colors.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Time to add a little glitter! Of course, we rocked out to our glitter song—-“shake, shake, shake, your glitter”! It is sung to tune of that old KC and the Sunshine Band song.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

The square was glued to a paper bowl and the adults helped attach a tassel (pre-made using scrap yarn) and……..

 

 

 

 

…………TA DA!!!

It’s graduation time!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

This week, we made some cute little edible diplomas!  Here is the recipe that we used: Let’s Make Diploma S’mores

We started by counting out how many plates we needed.  This recipe is a little different in that each student got to participate in each step of the recipe.

Each student had to request a small tortilla.  They PUT that on their plate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, they had to request some marshmallow fluff.  Once they said they WANTED some, they had to SPREAD it around with a spoon.  There were lots of comments about how sticky it was 🙂

 

 

 

 

Then, each student had to request some Nutella and they SPREAD that on top of the fluff.

 

 

 

 

 

We then had to ROLL up the tortilla to look like a rolled up diploma.

To finish it off, we used a strip of Twizzlers pull’n’peel and they had to TIE it around the tortilla.  This was a little bit difficult for our students, so they had to make sure and ask for HELP if they needed it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TADA!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A yummy (yet slightly messy) graduation treat 🙂

 

 

 

 

We still have an After Party post coming, but this is our last regular post of the school year. Hope you will be back in August to join us—–Group by Group!

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