- 3rd April 2023
- Teaching Calendar, Teaching, Resources
- MJ's Resources
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Teaching ideas, activities, and inspiration to celebrate the month of April:
Ramadan, Find a Rainbow Day, National Superhero Day, The Anniversary of the Sinking of the Titanic, World Art Day, World Health Day, ‘Design a cover for ‘The King’s Coronation’ competition and more!
Featured Dates
Featured
22nd March – 21st April – Ramadan
1st April – 1st May – National Pet Month
3rd April – Find a Rainbow Day
7th April – World Health Day
15th April – Anniversary of the Sinking of the Titanic
15th April – World Art Day
22nd April – Earth Day
28th April – National Superhero Day
Just for fun!
22nd April – National Jellybean Day
29th April – National Zipper Day
Other Dates
2nd April – Autism Appreciation Day
14th April – Vaisakhi
23rd April – St Georges Day
23rd April – Shakespeare’s birthday
April 17th – Yom HaShoah
April 29th – International Dance Day
1st April - 1st May | National Pet Month
Pet Store Role Play
Pet Store Role Play
- Use a table and chair to create a service counter. Provide a till or cashbox
and money. Assign a student the role of cashier. - Lay out tables and display products to sell: Pet toys (raid the PE
cupboard for tennis balls, skipping ropes and frisbees), brushes/combs,
dog toys, animal feed, straw, bowls, gravel and sand for sh and reptiles,
shells, pebbles, seaweed/grass. - Make a ‘loose’ animal feed area. Can students use playdoh/plasticine to
make animal food (bones, biscuits, kibble) Can students use scissors or
tear multicoloured tissue paper to make sh food to sell? Add bird seed.
Provide a scoop and paper bags and scales for measuring the food. - Set up a bookstall. Task students with nding animal, reptile and pet
themed books from your classroom bookshelf (or school library.)
Can the students decorate the pet store using pictures of pets cut out
from magazines/print outs? - Encourage students to work together in pairs or groups in their roles in
the shop e.g., the manager, shop assistant, cashier, customers. This
sharing of roles and turn taking will develop awareness of others’
thoughts, feelings and opinions. - Provide art and craft materials so that students make badges to identify
their different job roles. - Some pet stores have an in-house vet. Set up a veterinary surgery.
Assign a vet, veterinary nurse, pets (stuffed toys) and their owners.
Provide bandages, pipettes (for administering medicine), cotton
wool balls, cream (hand cream), nurse and vet outt (white or green
shirts/aprons, gloves and a face mask), toy stethoscope,
thermometer, scales (for weighing the animals), paper and pencils
for recording information.
Visits to the vets could be for routine vaccinations, (students could
provide vaccination cards), check-ups, accidents or advice (explain
how to handle the animals carefully.)
Promote good hygiene (wash hands after handling each ‘pet’ and
wipe the examination table down after each patient (provide wipes
and gloves). - Set up a dog grooming area within the pet store.
Assign a dog groomer, dogs, and their owners.
Provide combs, scissors, shampoo, bowl of water, sponge.
Can the students devise and design a price list?
The dog groomer could also sell dog grooming products (shampoo,
combs/brushes.) - Provide a toy telephone/disused mobile phone batteries removed)
to take telephone queries.
Click on the image above to find out more.
3rd April | Find a Rainbow Day
A day to celebrate the rainbow which symbolises hope. The rainbow also symbolises inclusivity, diversity and friendship.
Make a Rainbow
Make a Rainbow
You will need
- Torch
- Glass
- Water
- Sheet of White Paper
Method
- 3/4 fill a glass with water.
- Place a white sheet of paper on a table.
- Hold the glass above the paper.
- Shine the torch from the top of the glass above the water
- Adjust the position of the paper until you see a rainbow.
The Science Bit!
When the light passes through the water it breaks up into all the colours it is made from creating a rainbow.
Click on the image above to find out more.
Rainbow Treasure Hunt
Rainbow Treasure Hunt
This activity promotes problem solving skills and physical development.
Hide multicoloured ‘treasure’ items around the room, garden or outdoor area: Acrylic gems, baubles, buttons, coloured clothing pegs, costume jewellery, Lego/Duplo bricks, fabric & material, pom poms, ribbon, tinsel.
- Provide clues to help students to locate the treasure. This can be done verbally, through the ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ game, riddles, visual clues or provide a map.
- Provide a box or bag for the sensory explorer to store their discovered treasure as they find it.
- Alternatively provide a tick list or create a laminated visual board for the sensory explorer to tick off or circle as the treasure is found.
Alternative Treasure Hunt Activity
Place multicoloured ‘treasure’ inside a box of coloured shredded paper.
Can the students use their sense of touch to find the items?
Provide a torch to explore how the treasure sparkles and reflects in the light.
Click on the image above to find out more.
Explore a Kaleidoscope
Explore a Kaleidoscope
Can the student rotate the dial independently and watch the images and patterns created as the colourful beads, feathers and small pieces of glass rotate?
Click on the image above to find out more.
Colour Sorting Game
Colour Sorting Game
Develop fine motor skills and colour recognition
- Can the sensory explorer use safety tweezers/chopsticks/their fingers and thumbs to pick up coloured buttons, Lego bricks, pom poms, gems, and rainbow drops?
- Can the sensory explorer sort items of the same colour into boxes/baskets.
Click on the image above to find out more.
Rainbow Sensory Umbrella
Rainbow Sensory Umbrella
Thread the ribs of an umbrella with multicoloured LED battery lights (tape the battery pack to the handle of the umbrella)
Tie colourful ribbons, streamers, and mirrors (to reflect the colours) to the ribs of the umbrella. Rotate.
Click on the image above to find out more.
7th April | World Health Day
World Health Day is dedicated to promoting the benefits of good health and wellbeing.
The theme for 2023 is ‘Health for All’
You may wish to focus on healthy eating, exercise of mental wellbeing.
15th April | Titanic Sinking Anniversary
Making Boats Activity
Making Boats Activity
For the Boat Base: Balsa, Cardboard Box, Cd’s, Corks, Cupcake Cases, Feathers, Margarine Tubs, Match Sticks, Plastic Bottle Tops, Plastic Bottles, Lids Dishes and Plates, Sponges, Straws, Styrofoam, Twigs, Wooden Craft Sticks. The Sail: Balloons, Card, Feathers, Foam Shapes, Leaves, Material.
Experiment Make egg box and paper boats.
Explore Cause & Effect Can the sensory explorer direct a fan (battery operated fan/dynamo ‘squeeze’ fan/hand-held fan, paper/silk fan) at the boat to move it across the water?
Compete Hold a boat race.
Can the students predict the boat that will win based on the materials it is made from?
Explore Add cargo to the boats
Test Durability Add Ice cubes to the water. How well do the boats navigate these obstacles?
Engage in Scientific Investigation Add salt to the water. Does this enable the boats and materials to float easier?
Explore the properties of a variety of materials to see which materials float and which ones sink.
Click on the image above to find out more.
15th April | World Art Day
World Art Day is a celebration to promote the development and enjoyment of art around the world.
Spring Paintbrushes
Spring Paintbrushes
This is a wonderful spring activity that engages the senses, promote fine motor skills and creativity.
You will need:
- Dried grasses
- Feathers
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Herbs e.g., Lemon balm mint, rosemary & thyme)
- Twigs/sticks
- Seed heads
- Straw
- Masking tape/rubber band/string
- Paper
- Paint
Activity
- Tape or tie different nature items onto sticks using a rubber band or string, dip in paint and get creative!
- Explore lines, swirls and create patterns.
Click on the image above to find out more.
22nd March - 20th April | Ramadan
Sawm is the fourth pillar of Islam, the obligation to fast from dawn to sunset.
Enjoy a Traditional Ramadan Meal
Enjoy a Traditional Ramadan Meal
This activity provides the opportunity for students to explore and express their likes, dislikes and preferences giving them a voice and a choice in their food, try new foods and increase variety in their diet.
Pre-Dawn Meal
- Rice Pudding
- Dried Fruit (Apple, Apricots, Bananas, Dates Figs, Mango, Papayas, Peaches, Prunes, Raisins)
- Feta Cheese
After Sunset Meal
- Lentil Soup & Crusty Bread
Dessert
- Spiced Pears (sprinkle tinned pears with cinnamon and brown sugar)
Present the foods to touch, smell and taste.
When offering a taste, start with a little touch to the lips, offer a morsel, an egg spoonful progressing to a small bite.
Can the sensory explorer communicate a request for more?
Can the sensory explorer make a rejection if they do not like a food item?
Can the sensory explorer choose between two motivating foods?
As with all activities involving food be allergy aware.
Click on the image above to find out more.
22nd April | National Jelly Bean Day
This is a fun activity (and we all need a little treat!)
Jelly Bean Activities
Jelly Bean Activities
Can the students guess the flavour of the jellybean? (To make this easier offer a choice of two possible flavours)
Can the students use adjectives to describe the flavour: bitter, buttery, citrus, floral, fresh, fruity, grapey, lemony, limey, refreshing, sour, sweet, syrupy, tangy, tart, toasty, vanilla, zesty, zingy?
Can other students guess the flavour by the description?
(Be aware of allergies and choking hazards)
Click on the image above to find out more.
28th April | National Superhero Day
A day to honour all superheroes, both fictional and real.
Suggested Resource: Superheroes – A Multisensory Adventure
Superheroes - A Multisensory Adventure
Download Superheroes – A Multisensory Adventure Resource
Explore superheroes as our student takes you through his school day with this multisensory adventure.
Table of contents:
- Introduction
- Story Props Checklist
- How to Tell a Multisensory Story
- Superheroes Full Story
- Superheroes Fully Resourced,
- Rhyming Multisensory Story
- Objects of Reference
- Classroom Superheroes
- Speech & Language Activities
- Superhero Science
- Superhero Superpowers
- Superhero Self-Portraits
- Superhero Superfoods
- Superhero Ideas & Inspiration
Click on the image above to find out more.
Explore Superhero Superpowers
Explore Superhero Superpowers
Balance Like Spiderman
- Balance on a beam or walk along a chalk line without going over the edge!
- Balance on a peanut ball, balance board or air cushion
- Climb on a climbing/traverse wall, ‘tripwire’ or ‘jungle gym’
- Ride a bike, trike, go-cart, scooter or a horse
- Jump on a trampoline
- Play ball games
- Roller-skate, ice-skate or ride skateboard
- Walk on ‘skis’, ‘stilts’, ‘mini hops’, ‘stompers’ or ‘giant foam feet’
See like Batman
- Study items through a microscope or magnifying glass.
- Watch patterns and colours move in a kaleidoscope.
- Change the view by wearing coloured glasses or looking through coloured film
or Perspex. - Look at items from a distance through binoculars.
- Stimulate sight by experimenting with familiar, and providing new, visual
experiences. - Track and locate moving stimuli such as light from torches and watching the
movement of spinning tops, fidget spinners, spinning hand held lights, bubbles or the wax in lava lamps. - Explore colour hues, shiny, bright, brilliant, cloudy, colourful, dark, dim, dull, ickering, fuzzy, gleaming, glistening, glowing, hazy, sparkly, shadowy, pale, rippling, shimmering, shiny, translucent.
Click on the image above to find out more.
Invisible Writing
Invisible Writing
You Will Need:
Paper, Lemon Juice, Cotton Bud, Hairdryer
Method:
Use the lemon juice as ink and the cotton bud as a writing/drawing tool to write a message or draw a picture. Dry
with a hairdryer to reveal your message!
The Science Bit!
The water from the lemon juice evaporates leaving the citric acid which reacts with the paper damaging it. When
heated with the hairdryer these areas of the paper burn quicker revealing your message!
Alternative Activity:
Write or draw on paper or card using a white candle then paint over the writing using watercolour or watered
down food colouring to reveal your message or drawing!
Click on the image above to find out more.
29th April | World Zipper Day
A day to be grateful for those little inventions that make a big difference to our lives and an opportunity to promote fine motor skills.
Explore Fastenings:
Buckles, Buttons, Cuff Links, Eyelets, Magnetic Clasps, Metal Hook & Eye, Shoelaces, Sliders, Snap Hooks, Toggles, Velcro, Zips.
Other Useful Resources for April
Spring – A Multisensory Exploration
Click on the image above to find out more.
Competition Time!
Design a cover for ‘The King’s Coronation – A Multisensory Exploration’
How to Enter:
- Using any medium, create a piece of artwork. This can be a portrait of King Charles III or any other artwork with a Coronation theme.
- A4 Portrait only please.
- You do not need to write the title on the artwork, please do not write any names of the students on the artwork.
- email your artwork to rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com
Competition Rules:
- There is no age limit.
- You may submit as many entries as you like.
- The closing date is midnight 20.04.23
- Your data will be protected according to law and will not be shared with any other parties. All emails and their contents (including the artwork) will be deleted after the winner is drawn on 20.04.23 (for more information on Privacy Policy visit the website or get in touch.)
There are prizes to be won!
Good Luck!
Training (1-1, Groups & INSET)
‘An Introduction to Multisensory Storytelling’ Course
- 1-1 £45
- Groups (Enquire for a price)
- INSET £250
Contact rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com
FAQ
Who is the Course Aimed at?
SEN Teachers, SENCOs, HLTA’s, TA’s, Mainstream Early Years Educators, Speech Therapists, Play Therapists, Parents, Guardians, Childminders, Carers, Support Workers, Activity Coordinators, Librarians, and anyone with an interest in exploring storytelling through the senses.
Course Content
The benefits of multisensory storytelling.
- Sourcing story props.
- Sound effects.
- How to tell a multisensory story.
- Adapting an existing story into a multisensory story.
- Incorporating extension activities into your session.
- Using the story props as a tool for individuals to explore & express their likes, dislikes and sensory preferences.
- Extension Activities
In addition to this we will explore a multisensory story in depth, how to deliver this story and how to use the story props promote communication and areas learning.
The current theme is ‘Spring – A Multisensory Exploration’
How is the Training Delivered?
The training is delivered as a friendly and informal session via Zoom and can be tailored to meet your training requirements.
How Much Does the Course Cost?
£45 1-1 Training Session
£250 Whole School/Setting INSET
(For smaller group bookings please enquire for a price)
Book a course and receive a FREE 6-month subscription to the Members Library!
(Offer applies to bookings over £200)
Contact rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com
Course Length
1hour 45 mins plus Q & A.
Will I Receive any Course Notes?
Yes. Course summary notes will be sent as a word document.
Are There Any Other Free Resources Included?
Yes
You will receive a free digital download of ‘Listen – An A-Z of Sensory Ideas to Stimulate the Auditory System’
This comprehensive guide explores fun and engaging sensory ways of stimulating the sense of hearing. The A-Z of sounds is divided into the following categories: Animals, Transport, Musical Instruments & Home. It also includes fun, motivating sensory themed extension activities. This resource is suitable for working with curious pre-schoolers to teenagers with complex needs.
You will also receive a free digital download of the focus story.
How Do I Book?
email rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com or send a message via the chat feature on the website or through social media
How Do I Pay?
Payment is accepted through BACS or Cheque.
I am a School/Company/Setting, can you send an Invoice?
Yes. Rhyming Multisensory Stories is fully registered with HMRC and can invoice.
Will I Receive a Certificate?
Yes. You will receive a digital certificate of completion
Get in Touch!
Your questions, queries, comments & feedback are always welcome!
email: rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com
Website: www.rhymingmultisensorystories.com
Facebook Page: Rhyming Multisensory Stories
Facebook: Victoria Navin RMSS
LinkedIn: Victoria Navin Rhyming Multisensory Stories
Twitter: @RhymingStories
Instagram: rhyming_multisensory_stories
MySpace: Rhyming Multisensory Stories
Tumblr: rhymingmultisensorystories
Reddit: sensorystories
Pinterest: Rhyming Multisensory Stories
YouTube: Rhyming Multisensory Stories
Health and Safety
Advice and Disclaimer
Advice and Disclaimer
Health & Safety Advice & Disclaimer
- The author has used their best efforts in preparing the information on this website and makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness to the contents.
- The information is for pleasure purposes only.
- If you wish to apply any ideas and activities contained in this blog, on the website or in any of the multisensory stories or resources, you are wholly responsible and take full responsibility for your actions.
- The activities are designed to be led and supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
A Note on Allergies/Intolerances
- If you have any doubts regarding any activity or prop used, then seek advice before starting.
- Be aware of potential choking hazards.
- Check the ingredients in any items you may be using for any potential food or skin allergies or respiratory reactions. If you see any signs of redness, swelling or other symptoms of a suspected reaction seek immediate medical advice.
- The interactions should be led by the sensory explorer who should be allowed to participate without expectation.
- Never force stimuli and stop the activity if the story explorer shows signs that they are not enjoying the session.
Click on the image above to find out more.