We had a lot of fun putting this unit together and the students really loved seeing their friends in the book. The sensory group explored boxes filled with opposites. The fine motor groups made art projects that explored texture differences and the language group performed experiments!
SENSORY GROUP
This first box was filled with ROUGH AND SMOOTH textures including plastic spaghetti strands, bath scrubbers, container lids, and beads.
Lots and lots to touch and explore.
Recognize and respond to different types of sensory stimuli is a science access point.
BIG and LITTLE was the theme of this box. A box filled with balls—-what could be more fun than that 🙂
Recognize differences in size of objects is a math access point.
Our discovery bottles were filled with beads that floated UP and DOWN as the bottles were shaken or turned.
The math access point recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down, is addressed here.
LIGHT and DARK were explored with our light box. Our students really love lights, and the colorful ones we put in this shoebox were especially attractive.
Recognize a source of light energy is a science access point.
Our students pushed HARD cookie cutters into the SOFT playdough. As a bonus, the cookie cutters were also opposites—-ANIMAL and PLANT!
The science access point apply a push to move an object is addressed here.
Students practiced scooping IN and OUT in the purple bean box. White beans are really easy to dye using food coloring and they turn out really eye catching!
The math access point solve simple problems involving putting together and taking apart small quantities of objects can be addressed here.
Oobleck kind of IS an opposite—-it is both a LIQUID and a SOLID! We added some confetti to give it some extra visual appeal. Sparkly, floaty, messy, and fun—–he students had an absolute blast:)
The science access point track objects that fall to the ground can be addressed here.
Hands got WET as the oobleck was washed off hands. We added some SINK or FLOAT objects for fun experimentation.
Recognize one way people use water is a science access point that can be addressed here.
After hands were DRY, it was time for lotion. It wasn’t easy coming up with a scent for a theme about opposites! We decided to use Bath and BodyWorks pink lemonade scent since the name has pink but the lotion is yellow—-not exactly opposites but close enough for us 🙂
Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
On Tuesday our fine motor group used sand to make their SMOOTH paint feel ROUGH!
First we identified the color of our paint—-we used a bright, eye catching PINK!
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.
Next the students used brushes to spread the paint around their paper. We used black paper so our pink paint would really pop!
Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.
Then the students shook some pink sand onto the paint to add texture. Our sand was really fine and came out of our spice container quite fast! Suffice to say, the table ended up with plenty of sand too 🙂
The math access point solve problems involving small quantities of objects or actions, using language, such as enough, too much, or more, can be addressed here.
The science access point track objects falling to the ground can also be addressed 🙂
Ta DA!
It can’t really be seen in the photo but these did turn out pretty cool.
On Wednesday our fine motor group we made FLAT arrows BUMPY using tissue paper.
We started by discussing the color of the arrow and used communication symbols to identify it.
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color is a science access point.
Then the students tore and crumpled tissue paper into little pieces. They dipped the paper balls into glue and pressed them down onto their arrows—-lots of pincer grasp practice here!
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
Next they squeezed glue onto the back of the arrow and patted it down onto a piece of orange paper.
Recognize when an object is added to or taken away from a situation is a math access point.
TA DA—-
we are going in the right direction!
LANGUAGE GROUP
We did 2 different activities that looked at opposites. Our first activity was about things that SINK and things the FLOAT.
We got 6 different objects. Our first job was to make a prediction if we thought the objects would sink or float. We talked about how things that are HEAVY tend to sink while things that are LIGHT tend to float. Each student got a chance to hold an object and predict if it would float or sink.
Our predictions resulted in everyone believing that all of the objects would float!
Observe and recognize a predictable cause-effect relationship related to a science topic, is a science access point.
Now to put them to the test. Each student got to put an object into a tub of water. We looked to see if they sank UNDER the water or if they stayed ON top of the water.
We found that we were 50% correct in our predictions. 3 of the objects did float; however, the other 3 sank.
Our next activity focused on WET and DRY. For this we used “Squand” which is made by RoseArt. Our students got to POUR some of the Squand into a bin of water. They saw that the sand went from being DRY to getting WET in the water.
We found that when we pulled the sand out of the water, it was DRY once again!
Such a cool activity and very impressive to both the students and the adults—we were all completely fascinated! This stuff is the COOLEST!
Join us again next week for more fun and learning———–Group by Group!
We talked all about opposites this week during our groups. We found that there are opposites EVERYWHERE! The book goes over just a few of these such as wet/dry, up/down, and dark/light. Our wonderful students are featured in the book demonstrating opposites. When reading the book, we had our verbal children fill in the opposite. For instance, “Some toys are BIG and some toys are ….” and the students would say “LITTLE”.
Here is a link to the book: opposites-are-everywhere
