How about some sensory stuff? Do you have fidget-ers? Kids who can't sit still? Need something to help them sit still? Well this is what I did at my ASD (autism) coaches meeting tonight.
sensory balloons!! Each one has a different texture to squish. They are all quiet so students can squish them whenever.
You can put pretty much anything in these balloons and we did. I really liked the one with the salt but others preferred different ones. Your students will also pick their favorites, different textures for different kids!
Use tiny macaroni!
split peas!
flour!
pinto beans!
rice!
popcorn kernels!
Something else you will definitely need:
a funnel!!
You've really gotta work the ingredients down through the balloon but it's quite easy!
Here's our set-up.
It was lot's of fun! I love it Make It Take It's! I mean who doesn't?
Another fun activity is to have people guess what is inside of each balloon by just feeling it. We did that as an "opener" and I was so stumped by the macaroni!
Is this something you've made before? Do you have a use something like this?
Giveaway tomorrow!!!
8 comments:
Love this. I will let our Ed. Assistants know about this. I think I will use it with my students to discuss texture.
I'm glad things are going better than you thought they would. Continuing the thoughts and prayers!
Love the sensory balloons! I have some students who could really use them. I wonder if I could make them with disposable vinyl gloves instead of balloons, since we are not allowed to have latex in our building because of allergies.
Kara
Spedventures
You can also fill them up with bird seed. I had a job in high school where I filled promo balloon thingies with bird seed. They were scented too! (Why did I have that job?!)
Rowdy in First Grade
My mom had a balloon business when I was little, and she used to use balloons filled with sand as weights for bunches of helium balloons. My brother and I loved to play with the weights when they weren't being used! I think this is a great idea for making your own fidget toys. The only thing I wonder is, how easy are they to break? I have a few students who still put EVERYTHING in their mouths!
Thanks for these ideas. At my school, we use those squish creatures you can get at the Dollar Tree and Wiggle Seats.
The Teaching Chameleon
I love fidgets! I have a huge bin that has all sizes, shapes, and textures. Dollar stores and the sale bins at Target are my favorite shopping places for them because if they happen to pop it's ok..only a dollar. If you find beat up big beanbags most have cool little Styrofoam beads inside which are great!
Have you made any with Play-doh? Our OT made them with my kids and they were a huge hit!
I cannot wait to do this! My students just use the regular old stress balls and I bet they'd go nuts over these. I may even try making these with them so they can decide what option they like the best for what goes inside the balloon. Fun little activity for them to be a part of.
Such a great idea! :)
Mrs. Dixon
Teaching Special Thinkers
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