This week was out of this world as we talked about the planets in our solar system! The book has different facts for each of the planets. The front even features one of our own students as an astronaut! It really makes you want to take a trip to outer space!
Here is a link to the book: The Planets in Our Solar System
We explored a galaxy closer to home this week—–our own! Each box in the sensory group was related to one of the planets. The fine motor groups made some out of this world art projects and the language group made a yummy “spacey” snack.
Sensory Group
Before we got to our groups we brought out our cool solar system umbrella. It was easily made with some battery operated lights, yellow craft foam, and some super cool hanging planets (thanks Ms. Kim). The students totally LOVED it!
Recognize a space related object is a science access point.
Jupiter is the largest of the planets and Mercury is the smallest. With this box our students sorted BIG shaker balls and SMALL pompoms.
Recognize differences in sizes of objects is a math access point.
They REALLY had fun with the big shaker balls 🙂
One of the most recognizable planets is Saturn with its famous rings. Our students used fluffy chenille stems to make circular shaped rings of their own.
Recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape is a math access point.
Mars is known as the “red planet”. We made used black cherry Koolaid to make the play dough this week and we think the color turned out really well and smelled nice too! A cookie cutter letter M was included.
Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.
We learned that Venus is a very hot planet with lots of volcanic activity. We made an orange and yellow discovery jar that looks like the planet’s surface using a technique that we found at http://mom.com The jar was so much fun to make that we made 2 more with different colors 🙂
Recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli is a science access point.
Since our planet Earth has a moon, we HAD to bring out our MOONSAND this week! The students used a round shape sorter to make circle shaped craters in the sand.
Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.
Our “deep space” black kinetic sand contained some fun things to find including a blue-green planet—— Saturn!
Recognize a space related object is a science access point.
The planet Neptune is a beautiful blue color like our water this week! Since it is the furthest planet from the sun we figured it would be an ideal place to view other galaxies (lighted swim rings)!
There was also a scoop for pouring—-lots of splashy fun 🙂
The science access point observe and recognize a predictable cause-effect relationship related to a science topic can be addressed here.
There are a lot of pretty noxious odors associated with some of the planets we explored! So rather than go realistic, we decided that midnight by Bath and BodyWorks was a pretty good choice—–after all, midnight is the perfect time for star gazing 🙂
Applied to hands, necks, or arms—–the science access point recognize one or more external body parts can be addressed here.
Fine Motor Group
On Tuesday our students made space shuttles using this template: space shuttle Recycled toilet paper rolls used to complete the project gave us a chance to discuss the Unique Curriculum theme for this month.
This group LOVED our solar system umbrella too!
We started our art project by asking the students to identify red and blue using communication symbols.
Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.
The student used red and blue markers to scribble on their rockets. We used Pipsqueak Markers by Crayola because their size is perfect for our students.
Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.
To finish off the project, the students added a circle “porthole” with their photo. Nice pincer grasp practice!
Recognize a common object with a two-dimensional shape is a math access point.
We attached the space shuttle to a toilet paper roll to help it stand up and 10, 9, 8, 7,6…..
Ta Da we have lift off!
On Wednesday our students made a solar system!
We started by discussing the shape of our planets and asked our students to identify it using communication symbols.
Recognize an object with a three-dimensional shape is a math access point.
To make our planets we used styrofoam balls cut in half so that they were easier to glue down. The students then painted their planets and sprinkled on some confetti to add a little texture.
This gave us lots of opportunities to work on the math access point solve problems involving small quantities of objects or actions using language, such as enough, too much, or more.
Then the students glued their planets around the sun. Stars were added with some glue and glitter!
This activity addresses the math access point match one object to a designated space to show one-to-one correspondence.
TA DA——-welcome to our solar system!
Language Group
In our true language group style, we made a treat for the students this week——– a Saturn Slush! We got special help from one of our other SLPs this week, Judy, who came in and helped with the lesson.
To start off, we checked out the frozen strawberries and blueberries we were going to use for our recipe. We asked the students if the bags felt WARM or COLD!
Recognize objects or materials as warm or cold is a science access point.
We put some frozen strawberries in the blender. Then our students helped POUR some orange juice into the blender. We talked about how the colors of strawberries and the orange juice were different.
Recognize differences in objects is a science access point.
After that, we put in some confectioners sugar. Our students got to have some fun taking turns activating the blender.
The science access point recognize that electrical systems must be turned on in order to work, can be addressed with this activity.
Once the mixture was nice and smooth we POURED it into a bowl.
Then we put some frozen blueberries, more orange juice, and confectioners sugar into the blender and blended again until it was smooth.
We alternated the strawberry and blueberry mixtures into cups for our students (of course, counting the cups out first) so that they could see the different layers—–or at least that was the plan! Our pouring efforts ended up with everything kind of mixing together.
On the bright side the Saturn Slush tasted really YUMMY so no one really minded 🙂
We had so much fun learning about the planets this week! Be sure to join us again next time for more fun and learning——Group by Group!