We celebrated Talk Like A Pirate Day this week!
Here’s a link to the book: Let’s Learn About Pirates
We learned lots of cool facts about pirates, such as who the most feared pirate was, what was REALLY in their treasure boxes, and what their most important rule onboard was. We have featured 3 students who took on the role as pirates this week and are on the front and back of the book.
Enjoy, or walk the plank! 😉
Yo Ho Ho—-it’s pirate week mateys! Talk like a pirate day was September 19 but we decided one day was not enough—-we needed a whole week 🙂
SENSORY
Our pirates dug in the sand for buried treasure!
There were 3 gold coins to find.
Science access point: recognize objects as the same.
More pirate booty was had here, beads became more treasure—-gold, silver, rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires!
Fun to wear or shake and they made lots of noise when moved around on the tray!
Science access point: track objects in motion.
We put 2 pirates and 1 map or treasure chest in the black kinetic sand this week.
The students had lots of fun with the pirate figures.
Math access point: associate quantities with number names.
Shaving foam became “sea foam” this week.
We drew letter X in the shaving foam——X marks the spot!
Science access point: recognize that pushing or pulling an object makes it move.
There were some pirate ships and pirate duckies floating in our mini oceans.
A few lucky students even spotted an old shipwreck.
Science access point: apply a push to move an object.
We chose Bath and Body Works ocean scent this week.
The perfect scent for a seafaring unit and a hit with the buccaneers!
Science access point: recognize one or move external body parts.
GROSS MOTOR
For pirate week, our gross motor activity was walking the plank.
Students walked on a balance beam or landscape timber in forward or lateral directions to work on balance.
Our students using wheelchairs or adaptive equipment, rolled or walked on a painted line on the sidewalk. They had to look down to make sure they kept the line between their wheels.
At home you could use pillows, couch cushions, paper plates, a board, duct tape, etc. to make your own plank. You can have your child walk forward, backward, or laterally. Whatever your plank is, the object is to stay on the plank and to avoid falling in the water.
FINE MOTOR
For project one, the students made a treasure map and used this template to put themselves in the picture: pirate figure
First, the students identified the shape of their paper and the color of the stamp pad ink.
Math access point: recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes.
Science access point: identify objects by one observable property, such as color.
The students drew lines on their paper. We encouraged them to draw serpentine lines but they could do whatever they wanted.
Science access point: recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move.
The students had to press DOWN and then lift the stamp UP when adding an X to mark the spot of their treasure. They also stamped a skull and crossbones flag.
We used double stick tape to adhere the stamps to our kitchen scrubbers.
Math access point: recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down.
After the students’ faces had been added to the pirate figure, it too was glued to the picture and……
……TA DA!!! Let’s search for buried treasure!
For project two, the students made a pirate puppet using paper bags and this template: pirate puppet
First, the students identified the color and shape of their paper bag.
Math access point: recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes.
Science access point: identify objects by one observable property, such as color.
Then, they cut stripes for the pirates shirt.
Switch operated scissors were used when needed.
Science access point: recognize a change in the external appearance of an object.
We counted 3 stripes which were then glued to the bag.
Math access point: associate quantities with number names.
Next, the students glued to face to the TOP of the paper bag and a colorful head scarf.
Math access point: recognize when an object has been added to a situation.
One googly eye completed the look.
Math access point: match an object to a designated space to show one-to-one correspondence.
TA DA!!!
Arrgggg—–our mighty pirates are ready to set sail!!!
LANGUAGE
We had a pirate worthy treat today! Here’s the recipe that we used: Let’s Make Ocean Water (this is a copycat recipe for the Sonic Ocean Water drink)
We started off by PUTTING sugar into a glass container. Then we PUT some water in the same container and stirred it around.
Math access point: recognize when an object is added to a situation.
We had to microwave the sugar water for 45 seconds. Students had to predict whether they thought microwaving would make the sugar water hot or cold.
Science access point: recognize a temperature change from cold to warm.
Once it was heated up, we stirred it up again. Students observed the sugar water and said if they saw the sugar in the water any more once it had dissolved.
Science access point: recognize examples of materials that will dissolve in water.
We PUT the water into a pitcher. Then we added some coconut extract. We put some on Q-tips so that each student could SMELL the coconut extract. They had to indicate whether it smelled GOOD or BAD.
Science access point: recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli.
We PUT in 1 liter of Sprite and 5 drops of blue food coloring. Students HELPED by counting out the number of drops. We watched as the color changed from clear to blue. We stirred it one more time.
Science access point: recognize a change in the external appearance of an object.
Students had to indicate what they were going to do with the ocean water: EAT or DRINK.
They had to request their drink and also their goldfish. Arggg!
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With the Academy Awards all over the news these past couple of weeks, the Oscars seemed like a perfect theme for us! Cara’s book was a huge hit and as usual, our groups were tons of fun! In our sensory group each of our sensory boxes represented a different Oscar winning movie. In the fine motor group our students made some movie star art themed art projects. For our language group it was all about the red carpet experience! Read along to see all the fun we had.
SENSORY GROUP
Popcorn—-gotta have some at the movies! Our first box was filled with popcorn kernels and items related to our theme including: Disney princess figures, a pirate ship wreck, pirate beads, and an Indiana Jones duck! There was a “Music Man” maraca to shake and an Alice in Wonderland cupcake that squeaked. Since the Academy Awards take place in California, we tossed in a state magnet and finally—–a mini Oscar statue (thanks Ms. Caressa!) This was a great box—-something for everyone!
In addition to lots of opportunities for vocabulary building, science concepts of forces and changes in motion were explored with some of the items. Specifically the science access point recognize that pushing or pulling an object makes it move is addressed.
The world in spatial terms is also explored and the social studies access point associate an object, picture, or symbol with a location is addressed.
The students got to make their own Shrek ogres using our green Floam, some potato head features and 2 plastic pegboard pegs—–perfect ogre ears :). Floam has an interesting texture and while you can mold it, it doesn’t “feel” sticky. Pretty cool stuff!
It’s great for working on bilateral coordination as it is squished and molded into roundish heads.
We explored organization and development of living organisms addressing the science access point recognize one or more external body parts.
We loved the way our Wizard of Oz discovery bottle turned out! We mixed some green tinted hair gel with water and green glitter. Then we put in 3 red Barbie shoes—–they looked just like ruby slippers!
The Unique Curriculum intermediate unit this month explores the theme of movement so this bottle, along with other items in our boxes compliments it.
Science concepts of forces and motion are explored. In addition motion of objects is explored with the science access point track objects in motion.
Our Wizard of Oz box also included a slinky rainbow and this was a HUGE hit with our students! Some of them loved SLOWLY pulling it apart. Others pulled it as wide as they could make it and then shook it to see it vibrate. Either way——–fun was had!
Of course forces and changes in motion were explored with the science access point recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move. Forms of energy are explored with the access point recognize the change in motion of an object.
The students had so much fun with our Pirates of the Caribbean box! Along with tons of sparkly gold beads were an eye patch and hook so they could get into character if they wanted.
Again the science access point recognize external body parts is explored. In addition tool use is practiced as the hook plunders for beads—-arrgg!
The number 3 and 3 plastic snakes were buried in the sand of our Indiana Jones box—–guess he probably wouldn’t like this box very much 🙂
The science access point match animals that are the same can be addressed with this activity. This access point is related to the concept of diversity and evolution of living organisms.
Recognizing when 1 or 2 items have been added to or removed from sets of objects to 3 is a math access point addressed. This access point is related to developing understandings of multiplication and division and strategies for basic multiplication facts and related division facts.
Blue “genie” oobleck——for Aladdin of course!!!! We sprinkled blue raspberry Koolaid onto our oobleck observing as it changed from white to blue!
As usual, fun was had as our little scientists pushed, pulled, and grabbed handfuls of this gloppy goo 🙂
Recognizing that the appearance of a material has changed is a science access point related to the concept of changes in matter.
For our nod to Snow White we washed the oobleck off hands and arms using an apple sponge. The water was scented with lavender vanilla scented bath gel from Bath and Bodyworks chosen because when Snow White ate the apple she fell asleep…….and lavender makes you feel relaxed…… Ok, kind of a stretch but we went with it 🙂
Properties of matter are addressed with the science access point recognize water as a liquid.
The matching lotion was used to send our students off with memories of all the things they learned. Recognize and respond to different types of sensory stimuli is the science access point addressed and is related to the organization and development of living organisms concepts.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
Our Tuesday art project had the students putting their own stars on the Hollywood walk of fame! The students counted the sides of our grey rectangular piece of paper—-and then we counted out one for each student. After they “wrote” their names, we painted their hands with dark grey paint and stamped them onto the paper.
Using appropriate vocabulary to compare shapes according to attributes and properties is promoted as the math access point recognize common objects with 2 dimensional shapes is addressed in this activity.
The students chose which glittery star they wanted and then glued a picture of their face onto the star.
Squeezing the glue is great for hand strengthening of course! Pincer grasp skills and eye hand coordination are promoted when placing the picture.
Effectively communicating wants and needs to a familiar person using gestures is a language access point.
The star was then glued down onto the paper and——–
TA DA!!!!!
A few new stars on the Hollywood walk of fame!
On Thursday we made our own little Oscar statues!
Joy drew an outline of an Oscar onto gold colored paper. You can print out the outline here: oscar award. It was then glued onto a toilet roll so it could stand up.
Glue was diluted with water and the students used a paint brush to apply it to the paper.
Recognizing that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point addressed as the students paint with their brushes.
Gold glitter was then added for that authentic look 🙂
While some of our students were able to able the glitter independently, most of them needed a little help.
We stopped periodically to ask them “do we need more?”. They used a Go Talk to communicate whether they needed to add more glitter or if they were all done.
Solving problems involving small quantities of objects or actions using language such as enough, too much, or more is a math access point related to understandings of addition and subtraction.
Using technology resources to support learning is a language access point.
The finished product looked fabulous!
We’d like to thank the Academy………..
LANGUAGE GROUP
We’ve talked about some movies that have won Oscars. We’ve earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and received an Oscar. Now it’s time to walk down the red carpet! But of course, before getting near the red carpet, we need to be dressed for the occasion.
We printed out pictures of all of the different things we could wear and bring to the red carpet, such as sunglasses, sports coats, feather boas, top hats, and earrings. The pictures were put on an All-Turn-It Spinner which was activated using a switch.
Our students took turns activating the switch and seeing what they would be wearing. A couple of our students were able to verbalize what they landed on.
Using an input device, such as a switch to interact with a technology resource is a language access point.
We talked about putting the clothes/objects ON. It was neat to see how many of our students got so excited to dress up! Such a fun way to practice dressing skills!
But really, who doesn’t get a LITTLE excited about getting all fancy 🙂
Communicating recognition of familiar objects and communicating about a selected object are language access points.
Time for a quick interview with Entertainment News…….
then off to the red carpet!
We had taped down some red paper to act as our red carpet. One by one our little movie stars walked the red carpet and were photographed in their fancy attire. They had fun with that!
After the red carpet they were treated to a movie on the smart board. Our version of the Oscars was a success! So much so that a couple of our students didn’t want to give back their costumes 🙂 Sadly, they had to and we talked about taking things OFF.
Hope you enjoyed seeing all the fun we had with the Oscars. Be sure and come back next week—–there will be more fun and learning Group by Group!
Avast ye land lubbers—-we celebrated Talk like a Pirate Day this week.
Cara had written such a great book last year that we used it again. Repetition is always good for our students and helps reinforce concepts and language learned. We kept some of the same sensory boxes but did add a few new ones. Our fine motor and language group activities were different from last years celebration.
Shiver me timbers, we do have the cutest pirates to ever sail the seven seas! Read along to see all the fun we had and be prepared to smile 🙂
SENSORY GROUP
We filled this box with some basket filler in a pretty light ocean blue. Then added some cool pirate stuff like a shipwreck (from an old aquarium), black beads and pom poms, an eye patch, and “parrot” feathers. Rubber duck and action figure pirates completed the box.
Lots of things to make you go argg 🙂
Visual discrimination skills are targeted as students look through the box and decide which items to pick up and examine.
The language access point responding to new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly, is addressed in this activity.
Pirates are always looking for buried treasure on deserted islands and X marks the spot!
Our students were able to stamp an X in the sand with their cookie cutter. Shifting the sand aside reveals a treasure map and some gold coins taped the bottom of the box.
Math skills are addressed as the hidden coins or stamped X’s are counted.
In addition, applying a push or pull to move an object, such as stamping an X or pushing the sand aside, addresses science access point.
If you find the right spot you can dig up a treasure chest filled with GOLD. Our students just couldn’t resist grabbing these gold beads by the handfuls!
Of course, adding a pirate hat really helps one get into character 🙂
Exploring, observing, and recognizing objects in the natural world is a science access point.
More treasure was contained in our discovery bottle. Filled with plastic jewels, gold glitter, water and corn syrup—-the bottle swirled and glittered as it was shaken. This was a really one of the prettiest bottles we have made—-very, very eye catching!
Picking up and grasping the bottle addresses eye hand coordination and gross grasp skills.
Recognizing that pushing or pulling an object makes it move and tracking objects as they move are science access points.
We made some super cool black pirate playdough this week—and added some black glitter to it for additional sparkle! Did we mention this stuff was SUPER COOL 🙂
Our students could roll the playdough into cannon balls or use the bone shaped cookie cutter to make shapes.
Squeezing, pushing, pulling and otherwise manipulating playdough is great for strengthening hand intrinsics.
This activity addresses the science access point of recognizing that the appearance of an object or material has changed.
Then we turned off the lights and turned on our black light to help us explore our pirate swamp! We mixed up our oobleck using tonic water, which contains quinine, instead of ordinary water to help give it even more glow.
Our students practiced making prewriting strokes and the letter X in the oobleck and really had fun watching it drip and flow down hands!
Using the senses—-in this case vision and touch—to explore objects is a science access point. Tracking the oobleck as it flows also addresses a science access point.
We finished by rinsing hands in Bath and Bodyworks Ocean scented bath gel with an added element—–ocean spray (from our mister)! Some of our students got quite giggly as they felt the mist come down around them 🙂
A large measuring cup and measuring spoon were available in the water bowl for scooping fun.
The science access point of recognizing and responding to one type of sensory stimuli is addressed as the water spray comes down. The math access point of recognizing differences in sizes of containers that hold liquids while scooping.
As usual, we also used the companion lotion to help our students learn external body parts and address the math access point of indicating a desire for more of an action or object.
This also addresses the science access point of recognizing external body parts.
FINE MOTOR GROUP
Every pirate needs a pet so on Tuesday we made a paper plate parrot for our art project!
We counted out a circle shaped paper plate for each student then gave them a choice of 3 colors to paint their parrot. Since the Florida Alternate Assessment has an array of 3 format, we like to give our students lots of practice making choices out of sets of 3.
Our students are getting to be such good painters!
Recognizing a common object with a 2 dimensional shape is a math access point.
Effectively communicate wants and needs to a familiar person using referent objects, gestures/signs, pictures, symbols, or words is a language access point.
Then we used our circle cutter to cut out 2 small circles. We glued these onto the paper plate and added 2 googlie eyes on top.
We also added a precut beak and some fluffy feathers.
Picking up and placing the smaller pieces promotes pincer grasp and finger isolation skills in addition to eye hand coordination.
Recognizing differences in size of objects and associating quantities 1 and 2 with number names are math access points.
TA DA!!!!!!!
Looks like Polly parrot is ready to set sail!
On Thursday our little pirates made some telescopes—–all the better to see those treasure filled islands 🙂
We used paper towel and toilet paper rolls that fit inside each other—-to get telescoping action, way cool! They were decorated with paper strips. We started by using our paper cutters to cut rectangle shaped strips of paper and taped them to the rolls. The electric scissors attached to a switch were used for our students with physical impairments.
Recognizing a change in an object ( as the paper is cut) and recognizing a model of a real object are science access points.
Recognizing a common object with a 2 dimensional shape (the rectangular paper) is a math access point.
The strips of paper were taped around each roll. We discussed the fact that one roll was large and one was small—-addressing the math access point of recognizing the differences in size of objects.
Bilateral coordination and eye hand coordination are addressed as the paper is taped around the roll and as one roll is inserted into the other!
Land Ho!!!!
ARGHH 🙂
LANGUAGE GROUP
A pirate came by and left clues to his buried treasure in our language group. Our students had to use the clues to find the hidden treasure. Each of the clues incorporated a preposition, like “up”, “next to”, “under” and “on”. They also had a rhyming word to help figure out what to look for. For example, “this thing rhymes with carrot. Is it parrot or car?” The students did such a grrrrrreat job figuring out the rhyming words and finding the things associated with pirates.
Using pictures, symbols, gestures/signs, or words to communicate meaning.
Recognizing a movement that reflects a spatial relationship is a math access point.
Hidden around the room and also outside were a parrot, a pirate vest, a hook, a pirate hat, and of course, the hidden treasure on the X.
Recognizing the next step in a simple pattern or sequence of activities is a math access point.
Associating information with referent objects is a language access point.
When the students found the treasure, they opened it up to find a little treat wrapped in gold wrapping paper. Excitement galore!
It was fun fer all 🙂
Arrrgg, be sure to ship out with us next week for more fun and learning, Group by Group!