Light table activities can enhance math, literacy and science, taking them to a whole new level.

One of my favorite things to be on the hunt for, to use in my classroom, is translucent objects for activities on the light table. Sometimes the objects are found where thinking outside the box and using creativity is key. When I come across new items, its also exciting to be able to introduce something different to my scholars. 

Dollar store LED light strings can easily become manipulatives for the light table.

The LED light strings have translucent green shamrocks that effortlessly slide off, while allowing the lights to be undamaged and used for something else in the classroom. Learning Resources translucent Dice in Dice make the Roll-n-Cover activity easily differentiated. Students can either count only the outer dice, or the total between the inner dice and the outer dice. The Shamrock LIGHT TABLE Roll-n-Cover includes two sets of boards, to help differentiate the activity for different learning levels.

Helpful hints for light table transparencies:

• Laser printed transparencies will give a brighter, longer lasting color.
• Laminating transparencies helps to keep the ink from being scratched off and also makes them much easier to clean.
• I prefer my color transparencies to be printed via Staples or Office Max. The quality is much better than any I print myself.

Click on the image below to be taken to the Shamrock LIGHT TABLE Roll-n-Cover:

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My Amazon Picks for the Shamrock LIGHT TABLE Roll-n-Cover:

Once a year, my Pre-K scholars participate in a memorable math and literacy extension activity.

Pre-K Pet Adoption Day is a highly anticipated activity, filled with wonder and excitement. My Pre-K scholars learn about: pet care, earning and saving money, following a shopping list to purchase supplies, and being responsible for a pet like no other. Pet Adoption Day can be an extension activity added to any pet or animal theme/unit, or a study on rocks.

For three weeks, my scholars earn money by being engaged in their centers and building up their classroom family members.

On the first day of our extension activity, each of my scholars decorate a large, brightly colored envelope. The decorated envelope transforms into their personal class currency wallet. Randomly throughout each days work-cycle, as I engage with students in small group, tutoring or centers, I give scholars class currency. They learn to immediately place it in their wallet, they leave in their school cubby. 

Each morning, we do a small group number bonds activity. My scholars bring their wallet to the group table and count their class currency. From there I give them a number that fits into the range of their saved currency total. Each of my scholars count out the given number in class currency and place it in one of the number bond circles. I add between one and three additional dollar bills to a separate circle on their number bonds mat and then they count the total. They find the corresponding number card to place on the large number bonds circle. We move around the piles on the mat and go over the addition/subtraction problem in more detail. During the week of our activity, I use small pebbles, rather than class currency. The pebbles are a fantastic connection to the adoption of their pet rocks. Over the three weeks, my scholars learn the basics of a mathematical concept that they can then demonstrate to others.

Children's books help lead up to the special event.

There are four books I like to read, in the days leading up to our Pet Adoption Day. I like to start out with 'Ricky, The Rock That Couldn't Roll' by Jay Miletsky. Second, I read 'If You Find a Rock' by Peggy Christian. Third, I like to read 'Everybody Needs a Rock' by Byrd Baylor. On the school day prior to Pet Adoption Day, I like to read the book 'Charlotte and The Rock' by Stephen W. Martin. Since children are naturally fascinated with rocks and rock treasures are so abundant, you can ask your scholars about rocks they may have found, or bring different types of rocks in for them to observe closely as you read one of the books. I like to have my science center lesson activities about rocks as well.

Signs and set-up help foster excitement.

On Pet Adoption Day, my scholars are greeted with an event banner, as they enter the doors. The goal is to set it up as a life-like adoption event. The more realistic the event, the more students enjoy the entire process. Having banners made isn't required, but I like to make specific educational memories for my scholars, that I hope they carry with them for years to come. I have my banners printed through VistaPrint, when they throw a sale. The signs can also be printed on 11x17 paper and laminated, as another alternative. My Pet Rock Adoption Activity Pack has options that range from banners, down to regular printer paper.

Pet care supplies can be easily made.

When my scholars arrive on Pet Adoption Day, they receive a shopping list, collect their wallet from their cubby and pick up a shopping basket. The items on the shopping list are: 1. Choose your pet rock, 2. Pick out a pet bed. 3. Choose a pet blanket, 4. Pick out a collar/leash set, 5. Collect a Pet Rock Handbook, 6. Pay for supplies and adoption fee.

The cage isn't required, but I found a small pet cage on clearance, making it the perfect set up for the adoptable rocks. The rocks are mix of some special finds while on vacations and large river rocks from the craft store. Like most teachers, my upcoming activities are always on my mind. Even on vacation.

The pet beds are small papermaché gift/jewelry boxes, I'm always collecting during holiday clearance at stores.  The pet blankets are cut from an eighth of a yard of fleece, purchased from the fabric store. Look for sales on fleece allowing you to choose a few different patterns, without it costing very much. That much fleece goes a long way too, making enough for a large class or saving it to repeat the acivity each year. Fleece doesn't fray, so stitching the edges isn't required. I cut the fleece to easily cover the size rocks I chose for the adoption event.

The collar/leash combo sets can be made two different ways. First, small lengths of quarter inch-wide elastic can either be glued or sewn together, to form the collar. Then, string can be added by tying or connecting via a small plastic ring. The second collar/leash combo method is to use a thick rubberband and tying the string leash around the band.

Pet Rock Handbooks can optionally be laminated. Since I have access to both a laminator and a binding machine, I chose to laminate and bind them, using binding combs I cut in half. The handbooks are included in the Pet Rock Adoption Day Activity Pack.

Pet carriers and adoption certificates make it official.

Small animal carrier boxes are the perfect fit for pet rocks. This years boxes were donated to my school by my local Petco. Most big box petstores will happily donate a class set, by explaining the activity to the store manager. After a scholar chooses a pet rock, I write their name on the cardboard carrier and place the chosen pet rock inside. Their carrier is set aside, until they've finished shopping and are at checkout. The last step, before paying at the register, is to be given an official adoption certificate. 

The checkout process provides a wonderful math opportunity.

When my scholars have completed their shopping experience and are ready to pay at the register, they pay for one item at a time. This offers multiple opportunities to count class currency, to reach a certain number. Since I use this activity for Pre-K, the largest number they need to count out is twenty. Alternatively, if this activity is being used for an older group, the scholar could count out the total. After they've paid for each item, I place the item in the shopping bag (minus the pet carrier box). Once a scholar has completed the activity, I give them an opportunity to go through their new treasures together, at the group table. Before class is over, I read the Pet Rock Handbook with them, to teach them how to care for their new pet.

All of the signs, labels and activity pages can be found in the Pet Rock Adoption Day Activity Pack.

If you are interested in holding your own pet rock adoption day and would like to use the signs, labels and activity pages seen here, the Pet Rock Adoption Day Activity Pack can be found in my store on Teachers Pay Teachers, by clicking the link at the bottom of this blog post.

Additional Activity Ideas

There are a growing number of rock based games on the market. Our two new favorites are 'Rock 'n' Gem Surprise' by Learning Resources and 'Rainbow Pebbles' by EDX Education. 'Rock 'n' Gem Surprise' works on eye-hand coordination, fine-motor, sorting and color matching with reusable play geodes. 'Rainbow Pebbles' is wonderful for sorting, counting, imaginative design, fine-motor and one-to-one correspondence. Both of these activities work a wonderful array of skills.

Click on the image below for the Pet Rock Adoption Day Activity Pack:

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My Amazon Picks for the Pre-K Pet Adoption Day:

Small animals can be fascinating, entertaining and adorable.

Our Small Pet Sensory Table brings back so many memories of my own childhood. My brother and I had a few precious hamsters that gave my entire family VERY memorable moments. One memory in particular, was when my "Houdini" hamster escaped from her enclosure and enjoyed nearly a week on the lamb. After discovering she had somehow made a hiding place in the modular basement ceiling, my Father stayed up one night to listen for the pitter-patter of tiny feet atop the ceiling tiles. He was able to pop up the tile and capture her. They certainly have their own little personalities.

Pet bedding and fur are some of the textures this sensory experience provides.

Bringing live hamsters into the classroom as a class pet is one thing, but putting them in an open-ended sensory table  certainly isn't safe or humane. So the next best thing was to bring in a similar experience with minimally stuffed, faux fur pom-poms instead. The other table contents are those that would actually be used to care for a small animal pet.

The table is set up as close to an actual small pet discovery experience as possible.

The main filler is pet bedding. There are several types of bedding available, from wood shavings to corn cob. For this years experience, I added recycled paper pet bedding. The one bag is enough for a very large sensory table, or three smaller tables. I save the remainder to use as a replacement for future sensory table set ups. 

The hamster tubes came in a small pack of add-on tubes. Look for sales or coupons on small animal supplies. The food/water dishes were found on clearance at the pet store, but the dollar stores carry small pet sized dishes on occasion. The house came in a cage set that I already had for an annual Pre-K Pet Adoption Day extension activity, that I do with my Pre-K classes. Stay tuned for details on our Pre-K Pet Adoption Day, in the next blog post. The small toys can be found at the dollar store. I chose ones with bells, to give an additional auditory experience.

The faux fur pom-poms were purchased from a craft store, using a coupon. They were originally three inches and came in a set of two. The pom-poms were stuffed so solid that they were hard like a rock. In order to have them easily fit inside the hamster tubes and feel more like real animals, I snipped a tiny hole and removed most of the stuffing. Once it felt and fit the way I wanted, I hot-glued the little hole securely shut. The long fur covers the hole so well, its not noticable at all.

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My Amazon Picks, to complete the Small Pet Sensory Table are:

February is Dental Health Month.

During the month of February, my scholars learn all about their teeth and dental health, for this school year's Human Body Unit. As part of the dental lessons, I have a dental sensory table that includes an opportunity to continue lesson review and one-to-one number correspondence.

Children have a total of twenty teeth, called primary or baby teeth.

As part of the sensory experience, oversized teeth and gums are added to the filler. Each tooth is labeled with a number, from one to twenty. The correct location for the tooth, in either the top or bottom gum set, is labeled with the corresponding number. The sets and poster embed science and mathematics into the sensory activity, in a fun and engaging way.

Although it does take some time to make the model sets, there are very few supplies needed to complete the sensory experience.

The teeth and gum sets are made from two 1lb. bricks of white and two 1lb. bricks of red Sculpey brand, oven-bake polymer clay. I shaped and baked the teeth first. Since the red clay can stain prior to baking, I wrapped the bake cured teeth in plastic-wrap before molding the gums around them. After I completed shaping of the gums, I carefully wiggled the teeth out before placing the gums in the oven to cure. When all of the clay was completely cured and cooled, I wrote the numbers with a black fine-point permanent marker.

The sensory table filler is colored paper confetti. It can be found in most party sections of stores. Tools for the discovery experience are large toothbrushes, repurposed scoops and Squeezy Tweezers. If placing this sensory table out for more than one week, I suggest you provide only one type of tool and either add or replace it with different types of tools during the second week.

The Primary Teeth Chart poster is hung above the sensory table, after the lesson on their twenty teeth has been given. While most charts and models show adult teeth, I felt it was important to have the main focus and education on the primary set of teeth that they currently have and touching on the adult set of teeth that they will eventually end up with. The Primary Teeth Chart (in a set of multiple sizes) can be found in my TPT store HERE or by clicking the link at the end of this post.

Click the image below to be taken to the Primary Teeth Chart:

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My Amazon Picks, to complete the '20 Teeth and Counting' sensory table:

The Lunar New Year lends the perfect opportunity to teach about another culture.

The Chinese culture isn't something that students always get to learn about, let alone experience. I like to bring in elements of the culture through a sensory experience. Not only do my scholars enjoy the discovery process, it helps them learn appreciation for the beauty, stories and tools. One of the two sensory experiences I rotate for the Lunar New Year, is our "noodle" experience. Food and family is a huge part of the Lunar New Year celebration, so this "noodle" sensory table fits perfectly with the theme.

"Noodles", chopsticks and oriental bowls are some of the potential ingredients.

While cooked noodles would give a unique sensory experience, going through an incredible amount of them, allergy restrictions and dealing with the cold/flu season the wet germ absorbing noodles would be used, I chose mason line as an alternative. Mason line is slick like fresh cooked noodles, providing a similar experience, without the concerns or mess. Plus, it's washable and reusable. I cut long lengths of the mason line, then melted the ends with a tea-light to keep them from unbraiding. It's more work than some may want to put into the project, but the reusable and washable aspect makes it worth the time to me. Alternatives to the mason line could be yarn, string, or cooked noodles.

The main tools for the table are the children's chopsticks. They are from a set of the twelve Zodiac animals, purchased from Oriental Trading Company. The small bowls and soup spoons are from my families favorite go-to Asian market. This sensory table is only set out for one week, so alternate tools aren't needed. Additional items include: several metal Chinese fortune coins and parts of an Asian dinner set for larger dolls.

The Chinese Zodiac Chart visual is a wonderful reminder of the animals that represent each year.

Above our sensory table, on the magnetic whiteboard, I have a large Chinese Zodiac Chart. Adorning the chart's circle are pictures of the twelve Zodiac animals with their English and Mandarin names. The moveable arrow, with the Chinese symbol for luck, can be placed pointing at the correct Zodiac animal year after year. The Chinese Zodiac Chart is the perfect companion to reading a story about the animals and how they were chosen. The Chinese Zodiac Chart can be found HERE.

More children's books are becoming available.

Each year, I find more children's books relating to the Lunar New Year and the Chinese Zodiac. A new favorite, that goes along with this sensory table is 'I Can Eat with Chopsticks: The Tale of the Chopstick Brothers and How They Became A Pair' by Lin Xin. I love the bilingual aspect of this children's book. After I've read it to my scholars and its placed in the Reading Center, my scholars can see the story written in both English and Chinese.

Click on the image below to be taken to the Chinese Zodiac Chart:

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My Amazon Picks to complete the Lunar New Year Sensory Table:

Space exploration is an exciting unit for all my scholars.

During our two week unit on space, I cover the history of space travel, plus the method of collecting and analyzing science samples. I picture walk my scholars through the first Moon landing and what it takes to be an astronaut. To bring the first Moon landing into our classroom, I made sure to provide familar sights, from our picture walk.

Clothing needs to fit comfortably over day clothes, be easy to clean and implement independence.

Four scholars are allowed in the Imagination Center, at a time. Two Mission Control shirts and two astronaut shirts with soft hats are included. I sewed the simplified versions of a shirt for Mission Control, without closures. The decals were printed onto iron-on transfer paper, made specifically for dark fabrics. The official patch images were available as clipart and the back Mission Control decal is a FREEBIE at the bottom of this post. The astronaut shirts are an Amazon purchase (link at the bottom of the post). They have an easy hook and loop closure. The soft helmets are also an online purchase, that are not only easy to store, but machine washable. The wonderful signs and labels are from the talented Pocket of Preschool Space Station Dramatic Play Pack, found on Teachers Pay Teachers, HERE.

Mission Control is one of the most challenging and engaging parts of the center.

The mission control center is made from peg board and wood corner brackets, painted black, with strip lights attached to the back. The "monitors" are frames from the dollar store (glass has been removed), with laminated hi-resolution images printed from NASA's public historical archives. Scholars can recall the sequence from our picture walk, about exploration to the Moon. The red and black switches are from the dollar store. The other elements were printed and laminated from the Pocket of Preschool Space Station Dramatic Play Pack. I covered the earth with a repurposed plastic dome, saved from a holiday package. The keyboard offers letter/number recognition.

The first bootprints on the Moon, will remain for thousands of years.

During our picture walk, at the beginning of our space unit, my scholars learn about the historical landing of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module. Pictures of the famous bootprints, left by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, were recreated using dark gray acrylic paint, on a 4x6 gray shag rug (Moon). My scholars learn that there isn't any erosion on the Moon surface and the marks left there by man and machines will remain for thousands of years. The American flag that was placed on the Moon by the two astronauts, was recreated with a rice weighted base, covered in hotglued, painted fabric. Real rocks are set around the Moon (rug) surface, to equip my scholars with "Moon rocks" for collection and analyzation. 

The mural includes a view of the Earth, from the surface of the Moon.

The mural is made from a roll of black fadeless paper. The planets and asteroid are enlarged clipart images. Small white stars and space dust is lightly drawn with white colored pencil. As mentioned in my past posts, I always laminate my mural panels, to be able to reuse them year after year. I keep my mural panels rolled and stored in art tubes.

The rocket, seats and controls spark the imagination.

The classroom rocket is originally made to be used as a bed canopy. I chose it over the many play rockets available, because of its stature. In order to transform it into a play rocket, I made an inexpensive and collapsable PVC pipe frame. The frame makes it easy to take apart and store, plus it wont leave any marks or holes in my ceiling from hanging the canopy. The rocket seats are repurposed carseats. The rocket controls were made from small craft wood plaques (Walmart craft section), painted black and Modpodged with images from the Pocket of Preschool Space Station Dramatic Play Pack. This gives each of the astronauts their own controls, that are also easy to hold.

Tools are provided for repairing, building, collecting and analyzing.

Space engineers, scientists and astronauts have what they need to repair and prep the rocket for space travel, and build objects on the moon with the furnished goggles and tool set. Once the astronauts set off for space, they have the food and water they need for nourishment. A Moon rock exploration box is equip with attached glove coverings, to safely analyze Moon rocks and complete their research. All the printables are from the Pocket of Preschool Space Station Dramatic Play Pack.

There are a wide variety of incredible children's picture books on space.

My classroom library is filled with some amazing books on space. A few of my many favorite books to read during our space unit are: 'Pete the Cat: Out of This World' by James Dean, 'Mousetronaut' by astronaut Mark Kelly, 'I am Neil Armstrong' by Brad Meltzer, 'On the Launch Pad' by Michael Dahl, and 'I Want to Be an Astronaut' by Byron Barton. After reading the book 'On the Launch Pad', I place it in my Math Center. It's a wonderful counting down book, that my scholars like to retell. The 'Mousetronaut' series of picture books have outstanding illustrations, that my scholars really enjoy. 

The Mission Control shirt label FREEBIE can be downloaded below:

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My Amazon Picks for the Adventure to the Moon:

This Outer Space Sensory Table is the most simplified of our three different versions.

For this version of our Outer Space Sensory Table, I have a simple small world set up, below a whiteboard of historical photographs. During the two weeks of our space theme, my scholars learn about the history of space exploration and the first successful Moon landing.

Four ingredients make the sensory table the perfect journey into space.

Space mini figures, miniature planets, colorful mini erasers and a filler of black beans are all it takes to make this sensory experience. For the first week I add repurposed scoops as the fine-motor tools. As always, I change or add tools for the second week, to draw back scholars who may no longer be as interested. For the second week, I replace the scoops with bubble tongs.

Historical photographs help bring the sensory table to life.

Several photographs from the successful Apollo missions to the Moon can be found on NASA's website, free for educational download. I've laminated them and attached magnetic strips to the back, so they can be taken down to use for lessons and closely looked at by my scholars. My scholars learn all about the history of the successful Apollo missions, and have the opportunity to reinact the Moon missions in our fully transformed Imagination Center. Stay tuned for the Space transformation, in the next blog post.

Please note, as a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, I may earn a small commission on qualified recommended links.
​The Amazon Services LLC Associates Program is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

My Amazon Picks to complete the Outer Space Sensory Table:

Pop Toobs (a.k.a. Rapper Snappers) are well known in Occupational Therapy  for a variety of activities and benefits. 

Pop Toobs have a way of drawing and engaging children more than most other sensory tables. The Pop Toob sensory table is extremely simple, but incredibly beneficial. The list of potential benefits is lengthy and includes: fine-motor, crossing the mid-line, auditory and visual feedback, resistance to muscles (finger, arm and shoulder), tactile stimulation, and cylindrical grasp. 

Endless shapes and tunnel mazes, provide unlimited creativity.

Pop Toobs can be twisted, bent into a variety shapes and stretched. They can also be connected together. Paired with wooden marbles, in a variety of sizes, students have the opportunity to problem solve by getting the marble(s) in one end and out the other. I should give a warning though. This sensory table is quite loud, from both the wooden marbles and when a student expands or contracts the tubes. I added thick shelf liner to the bottom of the table to reduce some of the noise, but its still going to add distinctive noise to your classroom environment.

Natural wood marbles are only one of many options.

One of my goals is to bring in more natural elements, throughout my classroom. I chose natural wood marbles to offset the simple man-made sensory tools and because I felt they would be safer to use than glass marbles. In the past, I have used pom-poms, pony beads and chickpeas. Just make sure the objects you choose are small enough to keep from getting stuck inside the tubes. Pop Toobs can also be used by themselves.

Please note, as a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, I may earn a small commission on qualified recommended links.
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My Amazon Picks to complete the Pop Toob Sensory Table: