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Feb25

Paris

Posted on February 25, 2018 by jd785

Ooh la la we are learning about Paris this week! Ms. Latoya, our AP recently visited the city and her fabulous photos inspired our theme this week. Our sensory groups explored boxes related to Parisian facts. The fine motor groups made art projects with a familiar Paris landmark and the language group made a tasty french treat!

SENSORY GROUP

We put some paper shred in the colors of the French flag then added a variety of things associated with a trip to Paris. We included animals you might see there, a toy airplane, a passport, some pictures of Napoleon and Emma Watson (she was born in Paris), and even a squeaky “french pastry”! Lots to find and discover in this box.

Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.

Our rice is also in the colors of the French flag—-red, white, and blue. There were letter P’s to find and also a map of France at the bottom of the box.

Recognize objects as the same is a science access point.

The Catacombs of Paris are ancient burial spaces that many tourists like to visit. We made our own spooky catacombs using kinetic sand and some plastic skeletons from the dollar store. As usual, the students were pretty fascinated by the way the sand reacted when pushed, pulled, or allowed to drip off fingers.

Track the movements of objects that are pushed or pulled is a science access point.

After touring around for a while, it would be fun to stop at a cafe for coffee—-a very popular drink in Paris. There was a picture of the Eiffel tower to find at the bottom of the box and a heart shaped measuring cup and small spoon for scooping fun. Unfortunately, we didn’t include any croissants 🙂

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.

Paris is known as the city of lights. We put lots of lights on our “Paris at night” umbrella and it turned out to be a big hit. The colorful lantern lights were particularly eye catching! We attached some laminated night time photos of famous Parisien landmarks and made sure to point them out to the students.

The social studies access point recognize a picture with a place can be addressed here.

This umbrella was a real hit with the students…..

So we had to include some more photos!

We discovered that plaster of paris actual does come from PARIS—how cool is that. We mixed shaving cream and cornstarch to get a similar texture to crumbly plaster. It had an interesting tactile feel and was VERY messy—–the students weren’t quite sure what to make of it 🙂

Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

Fortunately, hands were easily rinsed in water scented with Bath and BodyWorks french lavender bath gel. We put in a couple of colorful ducks to float around in our Seine River. These ducks were pretty cool because they lit up when they touched the water—-how cool is that!

Recognize similarities and differences in size of common objects is a math access point.

The matching lavender lotion had a pretty light scent and made for a nice reminder of a visit to Paris.

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday our students made their art projects using this: Eiffel Tower

First, they identified the color of our paint using communication symbols.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

Then they painted a white piece of paper with red and blue paint.

Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

They glued a silhouette of the Eiffel Tower (precut from black construction paper) DOWN on to their painting.

Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down, is a math access point.

TA—- ooh la la—- DA!

We love Paris!

On Wednesday the students made another Eiffel Tower inspired project but this time we shrunk the template 50% and cut it out of sparkly gold craft foam.

First the students identified the shape of their paper using communication symbols.

Recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape is a math access point.

Then they painted with a mixture of gold paint and a little bit of glue.

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move, is a science access point.

Time to sing the glitter song and “shake, shake, shake that glitter”!

Recognize a change in the appearance of an object is a science access point.

Next, they squeezed some glue onto the back of the Eiffel Tower and patted it DOWN on to their paper.

Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down, is a math access point.

TA Da!

Paris—–the city of lights!

LANGAUGE GROUP

Paris has lots of wonderful cuisine so we decided to try some out this week. We made some dessert crepes! Here is the recipe: Let_s Make Strawberries And Cream Crepes

We started out by making some whipped cream. Our students helped PUT the whipping cream into the bowl. Then we added some sugar.

Our students indicated that we needed to use tablespoons rather than measuring cups.

Recognize when an object or person is added to or is taken away from a situation is a math access point.

Each of our students observed that the mixture in the bowl was a LIQUID.

We had to mix the ingredients up, so each of our students took turns activating the switch to turn the mixer on. It took a while for the whipped cream to set, so some students had a couple of turns.

Once it was done, our students observed that the mixture was now a SOLID.

Recognize that the appearance of an object or material has changed is a science access point.

Time to make the crepes! We put some dollops of the whipped cream into each crepe and added some strawberries to it. For our students who are on a puree diet, we smashed up the strawberries and mixed them into the whipped cream.

We folded up the crepes for the other students. They had to request that they WANTED some the crepes to eat. YUM!

Join us again next time for more fun and learning

Group by Group!

Oct15

Colombia

Posted on October 15, 2017 by jd785

Colombia

Hola—-we learned about the country of Colombia this week, thanks to Ms. Maria who is from Colombia and traveled there this past summer! Our sensory groups explored boxes related to facts about Colombia. The fine motor groups practiced their cutting skills while making Colombian symbols and the language group prepared a tasty Colombian treat!

SENSORY GROUP

Colombia has made different regions including a rainforest. We made our own little rainforest with vines, flowers, fruit, and a variety of animals you might find there. The fluffy plush sloth and big orange frog were big hits.

Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.

The Andes run through Colombia and some of the summits are permanently snow-capped. The students had lots of fun digging and making snow balls in this box of Insta Snow. This stuff feels a lot like real snow—-but not quite as cold!

Use senses to recognize objects is a science access point.

Colombia is world famous for its coffee! There was a measuring spoon for scooping and letter C’s to find hidden in some very aromatic coffee beans.

Match objects by one observable property, such as size, shape, or color, is a science access point.

Colombia is also famous for the emeralds that are mined there. We thought our sparkly emerald green kinetic sand would be a good representation of those precious gems and we added a rolling play dough toy that left some cool “gem like” impressions in the sand.

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move, is a science access point.

Colombia has some beautiful beaches—-it borders both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans! In this sand filled box there were shells and a shovel. There was also a picture of a jaguar to find at the bottom of the box.

Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

There are active volcanos in Colombia! For our messy play we made our own volcanos using shaving cream and food coloring. The students were pretty fascinated watching the changing colors as the red and yellow colors combined to make the lava on our laminated volcano.

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

So, a lot smaller than the Pacific, our little ocean contains a number of fish to catch. To add to the fun, the fish could squirt water when squeezed.

Recognize two objects that are the same size or color is a math access point.

Bananas are a top Colombian export so we used that as our scent this week. The water was scented with Minions bath gel we got at Walmart. We purchased the lotion a few years ago at World Market but unfortunately they don’t carry it anymore 🙁 Banana is a really strong scent which the students loved!

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday we made some Andean condors which are a symbol of Colombia. We used this template: Andean condor

First, we discussed the shape of our background paper using communication symbols.

Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes, is a math access point.

The students glued the condor’s body DOWN on to the background paper—-making sure to “pat pat pat” to make it stick.

Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down is a math access point.

Then the students used adaptive scissors to snip some wing feathers. We used either table top or switch operated scissors, depending on the students skill level.

The science access point recognize a change in an object is addressed here.

The wing was glued on to the top of the body—–we wanted it to be able to flap a little.

We also squeezed out a dot of glue and added a cool looking googlie eye.

Match one object to a designated space to show one-to-one correspondence is a math access point.

TA DA!

The Andean Condor is a symbol of Columbia!

On Wednesday we made a Colombian flag.

First we discussed the color of our background paper and identified it using communication symbols.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

Then the students used a paper cutter or switch to cut a strip of red paper and a strip of blue paper.

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move, is a science access point.

We glued the red strip at the bottom of the yellow paper and then glued the blue strip above the red strip. Some of the students preferred to glue the blue strip on first and then put down the red strip—–either way worked 🙂

Recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down is a math access point.

Ta DA!

We love Colombia!

LANGUAGE GROUP

We made a pretty tasty frozen drink this week that is made in Colombia: Let_s Make Limonada de Coco!, also known as Coconut Limeade.

We started out by measuring out the cream of coconut and putting it in the blender.

Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.

Next, we had to add some ice. Each of our students felt the bag of ice. We talked about how it felt COLD.

Recognize objects as warm or cold is a science access point.

Since we needed 5 cups and our measuring cup only holds 2 cups, our students had to indicate that we needed MORE.

Solve problems involving small quantities of objects or actions, using language, such as enough, too much, or more, is a math access point.

Then, we needed to add some lime juice. Just like the lemon juice we used a couple of weeks ago, we had each of our students taste a little bit. We talked about how it tasted SOUR.

We also let our students try the agave nectar, the next ingredient to go into the blender. We talked about how it tasted SWEET.

Recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli is a science access point.

We measured out our lime juice and added it to the blender.

The math access point recognize when an object is added to a situation, is addressed again here.

Once the ingredients were in the blender, our students turned it on using wireless switches.

Recognize that electrical systems must be turned on in order to work, is a science access point.

When it was smooth, we all got to try it. Not one of the most popular things we’ve made—a little too tart——– but a good experience nonetheless 🙂

Adios for now! Join us again next time for more fun and learning—–Group by Group!

May14

Sweet Treats

Posted on May 14, 2017 by jd785

Sweet Treats

Ms. Erika, one of our interns, loves candy and came up with this theme for us—–she did a pretty great job! Our sensory groups explored colorful, candy themed boxes. The fine motor groups made sweet art projects and the language group made a Sweet Treat of course!

SENSORY GROUP

Don’t you love how our dyed beans turned out—–so colorful and eye catching! They looked just like real jelly beans. We were a little concerned that our students would try to eat them but fortunately it did not turn out to be a problem 🙂 We put in 3 letter C’s for the students to find.

The math access point recognize two objects that are the same size or color can be addressed here.

Some candies are SOFT and others are HARD. In this box we put in a variety of items that were either hard or soft for our students to compare and contrast. There were lots of fun things for the students to explore and they really had a blast!

Match objects with similar observable properties, such as size, shape, color, or texture is a science access point.

Watermelon Kool-aid made our play dough a PERFECT bubble gum pink—-it really looked like the real thing! The students used an oval shaped cookie cutter to cut out pieces of “gum”.

Recognize that pushing or pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.

There were tons of colorful foam “circus” peanuts for the students to scoop and pour in this next eye catching box!

The math access point solve problems involving small quantities of objects using language, such as enough, too much, or more, can be addressed here.

There were 2 different sized heart shaped cookie cutters in this box. The students used them to cut out Bubber “candy” hearts.

Recognize differences in size of objects is a math access point.

Cocoa powder was added to the oobleck this week to make “chocolate” syrup! It smelled REALL good and the students were quite fascinated with it.

The science access point track the movements of objects that are pushed or pulled can be addressed here.

Ms. Kim got us some packages of Mr. Bubble Magic Bath Crackles for our water play this week. These things were AWESOME—-like pop rocks on steroids. We could hear them crackling from across the room! Hard to photograph of course, but take our word for it—–this was cool 🙂

Recognize and respond to common sounds is a science access point.

Vanilla sugar scent from Bath and BodyWorks was the perfect scent for this week. Our students left the group smelling just like sweet treats themselves 🙂

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday our students made some “chocolate” donuts!

First they identified a circle using communication symbols.

Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes, such as circle is a math access point.

Then they painted their “donuts” with glitter glue.

Apply a push to move an object is a math access point.

Time to add sprinkles!

Solve problems involving small quantities of objects using language, such as enough, too much, or more, is a math access point.

Ta Da!!!!!!

These are SWEET!

On Wednesday the students made a bowl of candy using this: candy bowl template

First they identified the shape of our paper—–a rectangle!

Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes, such as circle is a math access point.

Next they identified the shape of the candy—-a circle!

Again, the math access point Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes, is addressed here.

Then they started stamping LOTS of colorful circles in their candy dishes. We used dollar store stamps with craft foam circles stuck to the bottom of the caps. They worked pretty well.

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

Ta DA!!!!

Time for some sweet treats!

LANGUAGE GROUP

This week, we made some treats with one of nature’s candies: blueberries! Here is the recipe that we used: Let_s Make Blueberry Delights

We started out by making vanilla pudding. Each of our students felt the bottle of milk and indicated on their communication board that it was COLD.

Recognize objects or materials as warm or cold is a science access point.

We PUT 2 cups of milk into a bowl and then added the white chocolate pudding mix. Before each item was poured into the bowl, the student helping had to indicate– either verbally, with sign, or with their communication board– that they wanted to help.

Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.

Each student got to help MIX the ingredients using a switch. Throughout, they had to indicate that the pudding had to be mixed MORE until it was all done.

Activate a device that uses electricity is a science access point.

Next, we added some blueberry pie filling to the pudding and STIRRED it around. Then we counted out fillo shells for each student and added 1 spoonful to each shell.

The science access point recognize changes in observable properties of materials can be addressed here. The math access point associate quantities with number names is also addressed.

Last, each student had to indicate whether or not they WANTed whipped cream or if they just wanted to get started eating their sweet treat 🙂

YUM!

We had a pretty SWEET time this week 🙂 Join us again for more fun and learning——Group by Group!

Oct30

The Brothers Grimm

Posted on October 30, 2016 by jd785

The Brothers Grimm

We had a lot of fun with this week’s theme. Our book is just fantastic and we have to thank Ms. Lois, Ms. Jen, and Ms. Kim who were a huge help with costumes for our students. Be sure to check it out!

Our sensory group explored boxes filled with color and texture. The fine motor groups made fairy tale themed art projects and the language group made a snack the Grimm brothers would love!

SENSORY GROUP

We filled this box with play figures and props representing different characters from Grimm Brothers stories. There were lots of things to explore and find but the magic wand with flashing lights was a real favorite!

The social studies access point recognize a person in a story, can be addressed with this activity.

Pink “princess” sand and letter P’s were sifted with a little sieve. The sand is such a pretty color and very enticing to the students. They really enjoyed watching it cascade down!

Track a falling object is a science access point.

Yellow rice, red and black beans, represented the colors of the German flag—-the Grimm brothers came from that country! In addition to letter “G”‘s to find, there was a picture of the actual brothers to find at the bottom of the box.

The science access point track the movement of objects that are pushed or pulled, is addressed with this activity.

The students had lots of fun with our Big Bad Wolf box. The wolf mask (from Target) wasn’t TOO scary and the students had fun trying it on. We also included some grandma glasses, a little plush wolf, and some fun fake wolf fur to complete the look.

The science access point recognize one or more external body parts can be addressed with this activity.

Ok, so we had a few more photos that were too cute to leave out!

How could we resist 🙂

In the story, Jack sold his cow for those magic beans he planted.

In our box of mixed beans, there were 3 little cows for our students to find and count.

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.

We put some colorful confetti in our oobleck this week to make it look like the icing that decorated the gingerbread house from Hansel and Gretel. As usual, it was gooey, messy fun!

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.

There was a little pond for our frog “prince” to play in. We also included a measuring cup for scooping and pouring.

Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.

We scented our water with Snow White approved Bath and Body Works country apple scented lotion. The students really liked the yummy scent of the matching lotion.

Recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday our students made some pretty cute Cinderella carriages.

First we discussed the shape our paper punch would cut out and asked our students to identify a circle using communication symbols. The students either used eye gaze or pointed to the circle.

Recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape is a math access point.

The students glued their pumpkins down onto construction paper. Then they glued their photos onto their pumpkins.

The science access point recognize a change in an object is addressed with this activity.

Next the students punched out 2 circles. Our paper punch is a difficult to press, so the students did need help with this step.

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.

The circle “wheels” were then glued to the bottom of the carriage.

Match one object to a designated space to show one-to-one correspondence is a math access point.

Ta DA!

Let’s go to the ball!

On Wednesday the students made a dwarf forest using tree stamps! The dwarves were made by gluing the photos of the students faces on this: dwarf-template

First we discussed the shape and color of our poster board.

The math access point recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape, and the science access point identify objects by one observable property, such as color are addressed here.

Next we asked the students to identify the number 5 on a number line.

Associate quantities with number names is a math access point.

We glued thread spools onto our tree stamps to make them easier for our students to grasp as each stamped 5 trees onto the poster board. We emphasized stamping UP and DOWN!

Recognize a moment that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down, is a math access point.

Then the students picked out their dwarves and put them into the forest. It turned out pretty cute!

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

Ta Da!

So…..kind of like herding cats but we did get a group shot 🙂

LANGUAGE GROUP

Our language group had fun making “Jack’s Magic Bean Dip” in honor of Jack and the Beanstalk. We used pixon symbols throughout the group to model how our students can use symbols during activities.

We started out by putting a can of cannellini beans that had been drained and rinsed into a food processor. Next, we passed around the 2 cloves of garlic that had been chopped up. Each of our students took turns smelling the garlic.

They had to indicate whether or not they liked it by pointing to the symbol for “I like this” or “I don’t like this”. It turned out to be about half and half for our students.

After we put the garlic in the food processor we let each of our students taste a little bit of lemon juice, which was the next ingredient to put in. We talked about how lemons are SOUR. Again, they got to convey if they liked it or not and again it was split down the middle.

We put 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into the food processor.

Next, we added some fresh parsley.

We also used some dried oregano which our students got to smell and tell us if they liked or not.

Finally, our students got to use a switch to activate the food processor so the ingredients could be chopped. Our students used symbols to tell us if we needed to chop up the ingredients MORE or if we were ALL DONE.

The students really liked using the food processor 🙂

Once we were finished, we counted out bowls and put some of the magic bean dip in each of them. We sprinkled a bit of salt and pepper on the dip and added some cut up tortillas.

YUM!

Hope you enjoyed our unit on the Grimm Brothers! Join us again next time for more fun and learning Group by Group!

Oct23

Talk Show Hosts

Posted on October 23, 2016 by jd785

Talk Show Hosts

October 23 is National Talk Show Host day—-yes, there really is a day for everything!! While kind of an unusual theme, we had a lot of fun with it.

Our sensory group explored boxes related to some of our favorite talk show hosts. The fine motor groups made some fun art projects and the language group looked to Rachael Ray to make a tasty treat in less than 30 minutes 🙂

SENSORY GROUP

Oprah is a legendary talk show host. The base of her box was green paper shred—-we learned that green is her favorite color! We added things that we associate with Oprah like books (for her book club), a peace sign, the word FRIENDS (she has lots of them), and some little play people (one in a dress that is the color purple). We also included lots of hearts because of all the love Oprah spreads 🙂

Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.

Harry Connick is not only a talk show host but is also an actor and singer. He starred in the movie Dolphin Tale. Our students got to swim with the dolphins with our underwater umbrella. There were also some dolphin sounds we recorded on the voice output device.

They LOVED this umbrella!

The science access point match common living things with their habitats is addressed here.

Whoopi Goldberg is another talk show host who is also an actor. She starred in the Sister Act movies. We took a cue from the colors of the nun’s habit that she wore in those movies and used white rice and black beans for her box. There were lots of letter W’s as well as a picture to find at the bottom of the box.

The science access point recognize common objects as the same can be addressed here.

Our super cool galaxy play dough would be a sure hit with astrophysicist and host of Star Talk——Neil DeGrasse. We added regular gold glitter in addition to some chunky silver glitter to make the black play dough look out of this world! There were two different sized star shaped cookie cutters for our students to make size comparisons.

Recognize similarities and differences in size of common objects is a math access point.

Lots of people turn to the Dr. Oz show for health advice so his box was filled with “doctor” stuff. There were some gauze bandages, medicine cups, cotton balls, tongue depressors, and a stethoscope.

Of course, we included a little patient for our students to take care of.

Associate an object with a person is a social studies access point.

Conan O’Brien is well known to late night talk show fans. He is also famous for his red hair. We laminated a picture of a bald Conan and our students had a lot of fun re-styling his hair using orange shaving cream. Perhaps he should come to our school for a makeover 🙂

Track the movement of objects that are pushed or pulled is a science access point.

Ellen DeGeneres not only has a hit talk show but starred as the voice of Dory in two movies that are huge hits among our students! Ms. Kim found a fun Dory pool toy that, when it’s string was pulled, swam around our little ocean. We didn’t have a Nemo toy but we did include an orange toy fish that resembled him—– and squirted water when squeezed!

The science access point recognize the change in the motion of an object can be addressed with this activity.

Our scent this week is one we are pretty sure Rachel Ray would like—-cucumber melon from Bath and BodyWorks! Our students really liked this aroma.

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday our students made microphones!

First we discussed that styrofoam balls were spheres and identified their shape using communication symbols. We had pre-painted the balls with silver tempera paint.

This activity addresses the math access points: recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes, and recognize three-dimensional shapes.

Then the students used cutting tools such as paper cutters or switch operated scissors to trim some black construction paper. We noted that the shape of the paper was a rectangle.

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

Next the students used a glue stick to apply glue to the paper and then they rolled it around a toilet paper tube. The styrofoam ball was pushed onto the top for a finishing touch.

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.

Ta Da—-

—-time for an interview!

On Wednesday the fine motor group made picture frames—to hold a picture of each student with Jimmy Fallon (cleverly made by Power Point whiz Cara).

We started by discussing the shape of the picture frame and asked the students to identify it using communication symbols.

Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes is a math access point.

Then the students painted the frame with some watered down glue.

The science access point recognize pushing and pulling an object makes it move is addressed here.

Time to add gold or silver glitter—-a celebrity photo needs to be framed in shiny glitter 🙂

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

Ta Da!

We are just a little starstruck!

LANGUAGE GROUP

We channeled Rachael Ray today and made one of her recipes for the language group. We made her recipe Whole Wheat Sweet Cinnamon Chips with Creamy Honey Dip (recipe found here: http://www.rachaelray.com/recipes/whole-wheat-sweet-cinnamon-chips-with-creamy-honey-dip).

Since the tortillas had already been pre-cut, we talked to our students about what shape they were. They had to indicate the triangle out of a field of 2 shapes.

Recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape is a math access point.

Our students got to HELP us spray the tortillas with cooking spray and then SPRINKLE cinnamon and sugar on top. Of course, they got to smell the cinnamon first!

Recognize and respond to one type of sensory stimuli is a science access point.

While the tortillas were in the oven, our students helped PUT the yogurt and honey in a bowl. We observed how the ingredients MIXED together.

While we were waiting for the tortilla chips to finish, we got out our Dolphin Tale umbrella for them to look at

—–what a fun way to pass the time!

Once the chips were done baking, we counted out bowls for each of our students and put together our snack.

Lots of opportunities to use communication devices with this yummy treat!

Thank you, Rachael Ray, for the wonderful recipe!

We had a great time with our talk show host theme. Join us again next week for more fun and learning——Group by Group!

Oct16

Fall Fun

Posted on October 16, 2016 by jd785

Fall Fun

The weather is finally getting a little cooler and we are thinking about all the fun things that happen in the fall! The sensory group explored colorful, eye catching boxes. The fine motor group decorated some fall leaves and the language group made a tasty treat!

SENSORY GROUP

Fall festivals are so much fun with hay rides, pumpkins, decorations, and people in costumes! Our fall festival box had a base of raffia hay and silk leaves. There were lots of fall symbols including pine cones, jack o lanterns, turkeys, and squirrels to explore and discover in the box.

Recognize a model of a real object is a science access point.

College football is a big part of fall around here. The students loved the shaker pompoms—-so much fun to cheer for your favorite team! They also had fun filling the game day cups with black and white “referee” paper shred or a little football.

Recognize the change in the motion of an object is a science access point.

We love our orange and black rice box—-it is SO eye catching! The students had fun scooping the rice and beans into the little pumpkin bowl or looking for a jack o lantern picture at the bottom of the box.

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 with this activity.

The Owl Run is a race our school hosts for all the middle schools in our district. It is a popular event that we all look forward to each year. To represent the race, the students stamped our schools’ initials into yellow moon sand—-yellow is one of our school colors! There was also a t-shirt cookie cutter because you always get a t-shirt after a race 🙂

Apply a push to move an object is a science access point.

We brought out one of our favorite umbrellas this week. Our fall umbrella is a pretty simple one—- just some fall garland and craft foam leaves attached to a yellow umbrella—but it is completely eye catching! A little hand held fan helped add to the experience by blowing the leaves around with a gentle breeze. Some of the students also loved the feeling of the air blowing on their faces.

The science access point recognize a seasonal change in the appearance of a common plant can be addressed with this activity.

This week our messy play was indeed messy—-we used pumpkin puree! The Dollar Tree stocks cans of pumpkin so this was pretty inexpensive. In addition to an interesting texture, it also has a nice aroma which added to the experience. Most of the students were pretty intrigued by the pumpkin—–others not so much 🙂

Use senses to recognize objects is a science access point.

Some craft foam and plastic symbols of fall (such as leaves, the letter F, and bats) were scooped out of the water. Bath and BodyWorks cinnamon pumpkin scented bath gel in the water made it smell really nice.

The social studies access point associate an object with an event can be addressed here.

The matching lotion was rubbed on various body parts to give our students a yummy reminder of all the fun they had. They were able to communicate whether they “liked” the scent or not—-it was pretty much a universal LIKE!

Recognize one or more external body parts is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

Due to a district holiday, we only had one fine motor group this week—-but it was a fun one! We used this template: leaf-template

First we discussed the color of our leaves and the students used communication symbols to identify the color BROWN.

Identify objects by one observable property, such as color, is a science access point.

Then the students squeezed some gold paint onto their leaves and spread it around using paint brushes. They were pretty intrigued with the metallic paint!

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is a science access point.

Ta Da!

Feeling fallish 🙂

LANGUAGE GROUP

We got back into cooking during our language group and made a fall treat: Pumpkin Fluff Dip! Here is a link to the recipe: lets-make-pumpkin-fluff-dip

We started out by making the pudding. We used the Pixon core 50 communication board throughout the process to model how symbols are used for communication. Our students helped PUT the pudding mix into the bowl. They all took turns feeling how COLD the milk was and then PUT the milk in the bowl as well.

Recognize when an object is added to a situation is a math access point.

Each student had a TURN pressing the switch to activate the mixer. So fun!

Next, we took turns smelling the pumpkin puree. This smell was not a favorite for some of our students but others thought it was pretty yummy!

We PUT the pumpkin puree into a different bowl and added half a container of whipped cream.

Then we added some cinnamon after taking turns smelling it.

We used communication symbols to let the students tell us if they “liked” the scent. For the most part, it was a pretty popular scent 🙂

We mixed the pumpkin and whipped cream and then added the vanilla pudding. We counted out the bowls for our students.

For the ones who are on a puree diet, they ate the Pumpkin Fluff Dip by itself. For our students who eat solid food, we added some crumbled up Nilla Wafers.

YUM!

It looks like we are ready for fall around here! Join us again next time for more fun—–Group by Group!

Sep11

People of the American Revolution

Posted on September 11, 2016 by jd785

People of the American Revolution

Our students are learning about the American Constitution and Bill of Rights as part of their Unique Curriculum unit this month. To compliment the unit, we decided to learn a little more about the people who helped form our country. Our sensory groups explored boxes related to different patriots. The fine motor group discussed shapes while making their art projects and the language group “invented” a dessert.

Due to the Labor Day weekend and another hurricane day, we had a shortened week and couldn’t do all our groups but we still had lots of fun!

SENSORY GROUP

Paul Revere, who road his horse through the streets sounding the alarm that the “British were coming”, was a silversmith. We filled his box with silver beads and 2 different sized horses. As usual, the students had a blast with the beads—-always a favorite!

Recognize differences in size of objects is a math access point.

Abigail Adams probably drank lots of tea—–that is before her friends dumped it in the Boston Harbor 🙂 There were upper and lower case letter A’s and a picture of Abigail herself to find while sifting through the tea leaves.

The students enjoyed both the feel and the aroma of this box.

Recognize two objects that are identical to each other is a math access point.

The Marquis de Lafayette was a frenchman who came to help with the American Revolution. The colors of the French flag are red, white, and blue like our rice! We put in the numbers 1776 and a picture of the Marquis to find at the bottom.

In addition to visual and tactile discrimination, the science access point: track the movement of objects that are pushed or pulled, can be addressed in this activity.

Thomas Jefferson not only wrote the Declaration of Independence but was also an architect.

Our students got to be little architects building their own buildings with blue Floam!

Recognize that the appearance of an object or material has changed is a science access point.

We learned that Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals! For his box we put in Wikki Stix strands that could be shaped into CIRCLES like glasses.

Yeah, we had a little fun with this 🙂

Recognize objects with two-dimensional shapes, such as circle or square is a math access point.

Shaving foam was used to add hair to George Washington’s head. Of course he also ended up with “hair” on his chin, cheeks, and nose!

The science access point recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move is addressed here.

Patrick Henry enjoyed hunting and fishing so we had the students go fishing in our little pond. There were 2 fish to catch with a large scoop.

Since the fish could be counted, the math access point associate quantities with number names can be addressed here.

We thought that Bath and BodyWorks country apple scent was perfect this week. After all whats more american than APPLE PIE! This yummy scent was a hit with our students and a great reminder of all the things we learned about the people of the American Revolution.

Recognize one or more body parts is a science access point.

FINE MOTOR GROUP

This week our students made Ben Franklin kites.

We started by discussing the shape of our kite—–a DIAMOND. We also discussed the TRIANGLE shapes that could be seen as part of the kite—-we thought that was pretty cool!

Recognize an object with a two-dimensional shape is a math access point.

Then they decorated their kites using colorful markers. This was also a great opportunity for our students to practice their communication skills asking for “more” markers or letting us know they were “all done”.

Recognize a change in an object is a science access point.

After they finished coloring their kites, the students used glue to attach a key made with this: key-template. We love the story of how Ben Franklin attached a key to his kite to study electricity, so of course we had to have keys for our kites! After they students put glue onto their keys they had to turn their key over and pat it DOWN onto their kite.

This activity addresses the math access point: recognize a movement that reflects a spatial relationship, such as up and down.

TA DA—-

—–lets go fly a kite!

LANGUAGE GROUP

We kind of stretched it a little bit this week to incorporate inventing, one of Ben Franklin’s specialties, into our group. We decided to invent a new recipe—–we’ll call it, Banana Split Pudding!

Here is a link to our recipe: lets-invent-a-banana-split-pudding

We used Pixon picture symbols throughout so that our students could request and inform.

The targeted symbol was presented to each child and they had to locate it on a Pixon board with 50 symbols on it.

We started by making some instant banana cream pudding. When getting the milk out, we passed it around and talked about how it was COLD. We poured 2 cups into a measuring cup and then poured in into a bowl.

Recognize the temperature of items, such as food, as cool or warm is a science access point.

Then we carefully added the pudding mix!

Our students got to use a wireless switch to activate the mixer.

This is always fun for them and everyone got a turn!

Recognize a predictable cause-effect relationship is a science access point.

We then counted out how many cups we needed for each student and found that we needed 6. Everyone helped count!

We put 3 spoonfuls of the banana cream pudding into each cup. Cara had already whipped up some chocolate pudding since we know that time is of the essence 🙂

We scooped in one big spoonful of the chocolate pudding into each cup.

We all know that banana splits have whipped cream and cherries so we topped off each cup with whipped cream and chopped up cherries.

Lastly, and most importantly, we ate our newly invented dessert! In the opinion of our students———YUM!

Thank you for joining us and we hope you enjoyed learning a little about some of the people of the American Revolution! We will see you next week for more fun and learning Group by Group!