We are giving a little shout out to our friends at the Cornerstone School in celebration of Rhode Island Independence Day! Our sensory groups explored some boxes related to different facts about the state of Rhode Island. The fine motor groups used unusual items for their Rhode Island art projects and the language group made an icy treat—-yum! Read along to see all the fun we had this week 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

SENSORY GROUP

Rhode Island was named for the red clay that lines its shore. We used red moonsand to represent that clay and cookie cutters with the state initials were included.

The students always have fun with moonsand, it has such a great texture!

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

This box was filled with coffee beans to represent the state beverage—–what an aroma! There were lots of little R’s to find and we included a fun little cup for scooping.

 

 

 

The science access point uses senses to recognize objects can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

The first circus held in the United States took place in Rhode Island! Our circus box was filled with colorful objects associated with the circus. There was rainbow basket filler, styrofoam circus peanuts, a popcorn container, and puzzle piece clowns.

We also included a fun noise tiger noisemaker that was really popular with the students.

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

 

 

 

 

 

George Cohen was a composer who wrote Yankee Doodle Boy and You’re a Grand Old Flag was represented with our red, white, and blue rice. There was a big measuring cup and small spoon for scooping fun and comparisons. There was a flag picture to find at the bottom of the box.

Recognize similarities and differences in size of common objects is a math access point that can be addressed here.

 

 

 

 

Jewelry making is a key industry for Rhode Island so we had some discovery bottles filled with sparkly “gold” and “jewels”.

These were irresistible!

 

Track objects in motion is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

 

Gilbert Stuart was an artist from Rhode Island who painted the portrait of Washington that was used for the dollar bill! Our little artists mixed shaving cream with food coloring to come up with their own original works of art 🙂

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

 

 

 

 

 

The first water driven cotton mill was built in Rhode Island. Our students experimented  with water power while watching our water wheel spin. They found it pretty fascinating!

Observe and recognize a predictable cause-effect relationship related to a science topic is a science access point that can be addressed with this activity.

 

 

 

 

 

Rhode Island is nicknamed the Ocean State so we used ocean scent from Bath and BodyWorks this week. It was a pretty strong scent that our students really noticed and liked having it rubbed on their skin.

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

 

 

 

 

 

FINE MOTOR GROUP

On Tuesday our students painted violets—-the Rhode Island state flower!

We started by discussing the color of violets and then identifying the color using communication symbols.

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

 

 

 

 

Next they used a paint brush to make green leaves and stems on their paper.

Recognize that pushing and pulling an object makes it move.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then they used a soda bottle to stamp purple violets. We reminded the students to stamp UP and DOWN.

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

 

 

 

 

TA DA—-beautiful violets!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday we discussed the fact that shipbuilding is another key industry of Rhode Island and made sailboats!

First we asked students to identify the shape of the sail—-a triangle!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then they used paper cutters to cut out their own sails. Of course we counted the sides as the sails were cut!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students used a glue stick to adhere their sails to popsicle sticks and pushed them into a pool noodle slice.

Recognize the next step in a sequence of activities is a math access point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time to see if the ships are seaworthy!!!!!

 

 

 

 

                                                                                Ta Da!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

LANGUAGE GROUP

It’s been getting pretty hot here lately, so since Del’s Frozen Lemonade is a fixture in Rhode Island, we decided to make our own using this recipe: Frozen Lemonade

We started by mixing the lemon juice concentrate, water, and sugar.  Our students got to TASTE and SMELL the lemon juice.

Although some of our students actually didn’t mind the sour flavor, others had a different opinion 🙂

Uses senses to recognize objects is a science access point.

 

 

 

 

Our students activated the blender to mix the ingredients by pressing a switch hooked up to a power link.  They are getting so much better about holding the switch down, although some of them continue to tap it, making the blender turn off and on really fast.

                                                         They had a BLAST with this step!

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

 

 

 

 

We gradually poured in the ice and blended until it was smooth.  Once it was done, we counted out the cups for all of our friends and they all got to try a little bit.

 

 

 

As with the lemon juice, most of them really enjoyed it and others………. not so much:)

Definitely a drink to cool us off in this heat!

Hope you had as much fun as we did learning about Rhode Island. Join us again next time for more fun and learning——-Group by Group!