Teaching ideas and inspiration to celebrate the month of January including Burns Night, Chinese New Year, Jackson Pollock, Janus, World Braille Day, Big Schools Birdwatch, Martin Luther King Day, National Handwriting Day, January through the Senses, upcycle your Christmas Cards and Promote Literacy Skills and more!
Dates At a Glance
Jan 4 World Braille Day
Jan 4 Sir Issac Newton's Birthday
Jan 8 Elvis Presley Birthday
Jan 6 Epiphany
Jan 7 Laba
Jan 7 Start of Big Schools Birdwatch
Jan 16 Martin Luther King Day - (Mark the Day the Sensory Way)
Jan 17 Benjamin Franklin's Birthday (Mark the Day the Sensory Way)
Jan 18 AA Milne's Birthday (Mark the Day the Sensory Way)
Jan 23 National Handwriting Day
Jan 25 Burns Night
Jan 27 Lewis Carroll's Birthday (Mark the Day the Sensory Way)
Jan 28 Jackson Pollock's Birthday (Mark the Day the Sensory Way)
Jan 29 Chinese New Year
Plus
Upcycling Christmas Cards to Promote Literacy Skills
Quote of the Month
‘Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.’
Benjamin Franklin
Janus
Named after Greek God Janus (Latin for door) Janus had two heads which allowed him to look both backwards into the old year, and forwards to the new year.
‘Janus am I; oldest of potentates; Forward I look, and backward, and below I count, as God of avenues and gates, The years that through my portals come and go.’
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet (1807–82)
January Birthstone - Garnet
Signifies friendship (see Benjamin Franklin for friendship potion activity ideas)
Activity Ideas
Red Colour Sorting Activity
This activity stimulates vision, promotes skills of recognising, naming, sorting, and matching colours, builds fine motor skills and promotes communication skills, supporting students in learning new vocabulary.
Explore Fabrics, Materials of Different Textures
Bright, brilliant, cloudy, dark, dim, dull, fuzzy, glistening, glowing, hazy, sparkly, shadowy, pale, rippling, shimmering, shiny and translucent.
Explore Mixing Paints of Red Hues
Burgundy, cerise, crimson, fuchsia, magenta, maroon, ochre, plum, red, raspberry, rose, ruby, russet, rust, salmon, scarlet.
Red Colour Hunt
Place items around the room/outdoor area for the sensory explorer to find.
You can either provide a bag/basket to collect the items in, a list to tick off items when they have been found or create a picture matching board.
Ideas
Apple, balloon, beetroot, cherries (remove any stones), chalk, crayon, lipstick, material, tub of red Play-Doh, red pepper, rose/rose petals, radish, sock, strawberry, t-shirt, tomatoes.
Provide a range of sensory items to sort into colours: bowls, buttons, coloured feathers, coloured straws, chalks, crayons, cups, flowers, leaves, Lego (build coloured towers), dried pulses, material, Mathlink, pegs, pipe cleaners, pom poms & socks.
Mix coloured items, can the student pick out the red items?
What to Look for in Nature in January
A season of mud, snow, and frost.
Health and Safety Considerations
Ensure the student does not touch or eat any of the items unless you have 100% identifed them and are confident they are the correct species.
Tips
View items using a magnifying glass.
Take photographs of items you cannot touch but wish to make a record of.
Nature Hunt
Head outdoors and look for snowdrops (the flower of the month), or signs of the green shoots of bulbs poking through the soil or snow.
Birds & Game: Blue Tit, Blackcap, Brambling, Bullnch, Coal Tit, Cormorant, Ducks, Geese, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Partridge, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Red Kite, Redwing, Treecreeper, Swan, Wren.
Flora & Fauna: Chickweed, dandelion leaves, ferns, hairy bittercress, moss, sow thistle, winter cress.
Fungi: Common Oyster, Field Blewit, Herald of Winter, King Alfred’s Cakes (look at the bottom of Ash and other deciduous trees), Meadow Waxcap, Scarlet Elf Cup, Snowy Waxcap, Turkey Tail, Velvet Shank, Winter Chanterelle, Wood Ear.
Small Mammals: Hares, mice, owls, rabbits, squirrels. (Look for animal tracks)
Explore Twigs, Buds and Leaves
Horse-Chestnut trees have sticky buds, Ash tree buds are black, Beech twigs and buds are pointed and red, Alder buds are purple.
Look for Lichen, Mistletoe and Yew.
Smell conifer trees (fir, pine, spruce)
Fruits and Nuts: acorns, beech nuts, chestnuts, crab apples, hawthorn berries, hazelnuts, pine nuts, rosehips, sloes, whitebeam berries.
Wildflowers: Catkins, Daffodils, Gorse, Herb Robert (look in the cracks of paths and
walls), Primroses, Snowdrops, Winter Aconite (resembles buttercups, and under trees)
Excerpt from 'January Almanac - A Comprehensive Guide to January Through the Senses' £3.98
Jan 4 World Braille Day
Can students write their name using the letters from the braille alphabet?
Roll playdoh or plasticine into little balls to place on a template of the braille alphabet.
Play a game of dominoes matching the dots.
Match physical items to the words
Jan 4 Birthdate of Sir Isaac Newton
Taste apples, apples sauce or foods containing apples.
Enjoy a foot spa with apple scented bodywash or a hand massage using apple scented cream.
Get creative and produce apple printing artwork. Can the students make a repeating pattern using different colours?
Explore gravity by trampolining/rebound therapy.
Explore the law of acceleration by riding a bike, go cart or scooter.
Explore the law of motion by or rolling different items down a ramp to observe how they move.
Explore gravity through the senses. Create a sensory bin filled with objects of different weight for the students to manipulate.
Jan 6 Epiphany
Epiphany Day or ‘Three Kings Day’, is a Christian holiday celebrating the day the Three Wise Men travelled to visit Jesus.
Promote Literacy Skills
Traditionally, people bless their home by writing the letters C, M, and B, + the year, above the door to the house. The letters represent Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. The + signifies the cross. The letters also represent the Latin words 'Christus mansionem benedicat,' which translates to 'May Christ bless the house'
Practice mark-making, writing and recognising the numbers, letters and symbols 20 + C + M + B + 24 in chalk.
Jan 7 Laba
8th Jan - Birthdate of Elvis Presley
Listen to a song by 'The King of Rock and Roll'. Can the students join in playing musical instruments?
Explore the fashion trends of the mid 50's, wigs, hair styles (gel your hair!), sunglasses and clothing. Provide a mirror so students can explore their new look.
Explore leather and sequins.
Jan 7-14 Big Schools Birdwatch
Register - It's free and you will be sent lots of resources to help with your birdwatch and ideas for activities to spark students' interest in wildlife and the world around them.
Visit the RSPB website for your free pack Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2024 (rspb.org.uk)
Jan 16 Martin Luther King Day
Make Friendship Potions
You will need:
A Container: Bowl, bucket or beaker (or for a less mess alternative, place your potion ingredients directly into a large clean, empty water bottle, fasten the lid, secure with tape to make a potion sensory bottle.)
Liquid: Water (still or carbonated), Glycerine, Food Colouring, Hair Conditioner, Vegetable Oil, infuse tea in water: Chamomile, Echinacea, Ginger, Green, Lemon Balm, Rose, Turmeric, Peppermint, mix tea leaves to create a new blend.
Items to Stimulate Vision and Touch: Calcite, Feathers, Foam Shapes, Gems, Glass Pebbles, Glitter, Googly Eyes, Pom Poms, Polished Pebbles, Rhinestones, Seeds, Sequins, Shells, Tassels, Water Beads.
Items to Stimulate the Sense of Smell: Fresh or Dried Herbs: (Basil, Cinnamon Sticks, Cloves, Lavender, Lime Leaves, Lemon Grass, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Star Anise, Thyme, Turmeric), Edible Flowers, Orange/Lemon/Lime Peel, Rose Petals.
Essential Oils: Bergamot, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Orange, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Ylang-Ylang.
Items to Stimulate Hearing: Beads, Buttons, Coins, Pasta, Pulses, Rice.
Items to Promote Fine Motor Skills and Encourage Scientific Investigation & Exploration: Chopsticks, Food Tongs, Funnels, Plastic Safety Scissors,
Measuring Beakers/Cylinder/Jug, Plastic Safety/Easy Grip/Jumbo Tweezers, Magnifying Glass/Handheld Magnifier, Pestle & Mortar, Pipettes, Plastic Test Tubes, PVC Tubing, Spatula, Spoons, Water Droppers.
Jan 17 Benjamin Franklin Day
Explore torches, LED Battery lights, and bells.
Make and fly kites.
Explore printing activities.
Listen to recordings of Benjamin Franklins' voice.
Create static by rubbing a balloon on your body and placing on the hair.
Jan 18 Birthdate of AA Milne
Listen to a Winnie the Pooh story.
Explore Winnie the Pooh through props: pooh bear, honey, leaves, twigs, pinecones, edible flowers to represent Hundred Acre Wood, stripey material (tigger), pink scarf (piglet)
Taste honey or foods containing honey.
Jan 23 National Handwriting Day
Explore sensory mark making in different mediums flour, foam, oats, pulses, rice, sand, soil
Use different tools to mark-make: brushes (bottle brush, hairbrush, nail brush, pot brush, scrubbing brush, toothbrush), chalk, charcoal, feathers, kitchen utensils, paint rollers, sponges, toy cars, sticks and twigs
Explore printing using leaves, fruits, vegetables, and bubble wrap.
Make bark rubbings.
Spray paint from a water spray bottle.
Carve into plasticine, clay or wax.
Draw around shadows.
Jan 27 Birthdate of Lewis Carroll
Hold a Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Send invitations to students from other classes, plan a menu. Make sandwiches, cakes and juice.
Enjoy an Alice in Wonderland sensory story, suggested props: white rabbit, plastic teacup, playing cards, jam tart, teabag, caterpillar, re-create 'Drink Me' potions exploring two flavours of a sweet and a bitter flavour, plastic croquet ball, turf, Queen's crown.
Make a sensory box filled with items relating to Alice in Wonderland.
Jan 25
Burns Night
'Celebrate Burns Night' my friend said to me,
'Robert Burns' I asked, 'Who is he?'
'Follow me and you will see...'
This fully resourced, step by step multisensory story is set on Burns Night as we join our main character at a traditional Burns Supper.
This teaching resource includes sensory extension activities linked to excerpts of Robert Burns poems.
This story presents a wonderful opportunity to connect individuals to literature, Scottish culture and the exploration of the rhyme and rhythm in poetry.
Table of Contents
Introduction
How to tell a Multisensory Story
Story Props Checklist
Burns Night Full Poem
Burns Night Fully Resourced, Multisensory Poem
'Bessie and her Spinning Wheel'
'To a Mouse' Sensory Bin
'Winter'
'One Night as I did Wander'
'The Whistle'
'Lines on the Fall of Fyres'
'Ye Flowery Banks'
'The Dusty Miller' (See Below)
Burns Supper Invitation
Burns Supper Mud Kitchen (Including Burns Supper Recipes)
Scotland Sensory Flag
Scottish Dancer Craft Activity
Vegetarian Haggis Recipe
Burns Night Sensory Ideas & Inspiration
Burns Night Kilt Craft Activity
You will need
Tartan paper (Tip this can be printed from the internet then photocopied in colour or students can design their own)
Two craft sticks
Two buttons
Paint/felt tips/crayons
Glue
Activity
Paint or colour the craft sticks, these will be the hose (socks)
Draw on the shoes, adding a button to decorate
Draw zigzags onto the hose (socks) to represent the laces of the shoes.
Fold the tartan paper into a concertina shape (as if making a fan)
Gather one end of the paper to form the waist of the kilt.
Using the glue, stick the craft sticks (legs) onto the back of the kilt.
Jan 28 Birthdate of Jackson Pollock
Create Jackson Pollock Artwork.
Lay a large sheet of paper on the floor, dip balls of assorted sizes and textures into paint then roll!
Fill pipettes/turkey basters with different coloured paints then squeeze onto paper.
Place a sheet of paper in a tray. Squeeze poster paints onto the paper then roll a marble or a small ball around the tray.
Add different coloured watered-down paints or food colouring to water spray bottles explore the different nozzle settings, spray, spritz and squirt.
Squeeze a little poster/acrylic paint onto paper. Provide a selection of toy cars and vehicles (with different sized wheels) for students to 'drive' over the paper.
Line a large box with paper, add a little paint, secure the lid...then shake!
Tie rubber bands around a rolling pin, dip into paint then roll.
Soak sponges with paint, drop them over paper and watch the paint splatter. Experiment using different shaped sponges thrown from different heights.
Add paint to the paper then blow through a straw to create random patterns.
Place a sheet of paper in the basket of a salad spinner, add watered down paint...then spin!
Gently pour paint into a funnel. Place your thumb over the small opening at the bottom then release over the paper to create a picture.
Take the learning outside, place a large sheet of paper on the floor, fill water balloons with paint, take aim...then throw!
Continuing with the outdoor theme, make tyre tracks by riding a bike scooter over paint on a large sheet of paper.
Stimulate the senses. Add a few drops of food flavouring (peppermint, strawberry, vanilla essence) to the paint.
Explore using different liquids for 'paint' food colouring, coffee, fruit juice, teabags, washing up liquid.
Paint using herbs and spices mixed in water: allspice, cumin, (mild) curry powder, paprika or ground up seed and herbs mixed with water.
'Jackson Pollock Sensory Art' by the Students of Harbour House
I was delighted to receive these fabulous pictures from the talented students of Harbour House - a specialist SLD provision which is part of Gloucestershire College.
Look at the scale of this artwork!
Some students made smaller pieces of artwork using paint and a salad spinner which they glued onto their masterpiece, and they also made their own environmentally friendly scented paint!
(Thank you to the students, their lovely teacher Amy and the team)
Jan 29 Chinese New Year
Activity Idea
The Great Race
In this multisensory version of the story, each animal is represented by a prop.
Below are a few suggestions.
The story can be delivered by presenting the props as each animal is encountered in the story or if working in a group, assign each student an animal with their prop, and work as a group re-telling the story with the students presenting their prop when their animal is encountered in the story.
Explore Chinese Art
Chinese artwork is traditionally drawn on paper or silk. Subjects include landscapes, animals, and insects.
Show the students examples.
Use feathers and glitter. Focus on red backgrounds. Use gold stars.
Paint or print onto different mediums such as rice paper or silk (for a cheap alternative to silk use a shower curtain.)
Experiment with different tools, dip dried noodles into paint, paint with feathers, design a printed picture dipping star anise into paint. Make a print by rolling cinnamon sticks into paint, wood-like star anise or bumpy skinned fresh lychees.
Create a Chinese Landscape Painting
You will need
Paper or card
White wax crayon or candle
Watered down food colouring
Paintbrush
Activity
1. Rub the white crayon/candle over the surface of the paper in strokes.
2. Using the watered-down food colouring, paint over the whole page using a brush. Allow to dry
Recommended Resource:
Join our character on a multisensory adventure as s/he visits China at New Year
Table of Contents:
Prepare to Celebrate (Gathering Story Props)
How to Tell a Multisensory Story
Chinese New Year – A Multisensory Exploration
Developing Comprehension & Understanding
Chinese New Year Themed Listening Game
Chinese New Year Themed Sensory Bin
Chinese New Year Themed Sensory Bag
The Great Wall of China
Terracotta Warriors
'Five Oxen' Sensory Art
Chinese Art
Chinese Music
The Great Race
The Great Race PMLD Multisensory Version
Chinese New Year Guided Relaxation Adventure
Chinese New Year Lucky/Unlucky Gifts
Chinese Music
Dragon Dance
Spring Clean Your Classroom
Chinese New Year Sensory Ideas & Activities
Price £3.98 Visit the shop https://multisensorystories.etsy.com/.../chinese-new-year...
£3.50 Buy Direct
Download for free in the Members Library
£95 per year for unlimited access to all resources PLUS free mini workshops. (multiple users on a site/school licence)
January Arts, Crafts and Promoting Literacy Skills
STOP! Don't throw away your Christmas Cards!!!
Receiving Christmas cards is one of the joys of the season. Before you pop them in the recycling bin, take a look at these low-budget educational, yet fun activities!
Next Year's Gift Tags!
This activity promotes creative art & design, decision making and fine motor skills as students handle materials.
You will need:
Christmas cards
Scissors
Ribbon or string
Hole punch
Select a Christmas card.
Cut down the edge and use the front of the card.
Encourage the student to look for different pictures to use for gift tags within the card.
Using the scissors, carefully cut around your chosen picture.
Punch a hole in the top corner.
Thread string or ribbon through the hole.
Jigsaws
This activity will develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, shape recognition, promote problem solving, patience and a feeling of achievement once the puzzle is completed.
You will need:
Used Christmas Cards
Scissors
Ruler
Select a Christmas Card. Cut down the edge and use the front of the card.
Cut the card into shapes
Experiment with different shapes, rectangles, squares, triangles etc.
Speech Bubbles
This activity engages the imagination, develops communication and language skills, encourages social interaction by means of a two-way conversation and helps students to build on storytelling skills.
You will need:
The front of a Christmas Card
A pen/felt tip
Select a card.
Draw a speech bubble on the card next to a character (Option to print out templates to stick on)
Write the speech inside the speech bubble - it could be a question, command, comment, or a joke.
Extend the learning by using a 'thought bubble' and discuss the difference between and 'though bubble' and a 'speech bubble'
Story Cards
This activity is a fun way to engage imaginative thinking, promote communication & language skills and explore storytelling.
Take a look at this Christmas card.
Point to characters in the card and ask open ended questions e.g. 'What gifts do you think the girl is carrying?'
'Why do you think the man is pulling the presents on a sleigh'?
What season/month is it?
'Why are the people wearing hats/carrying presents?
'Why do the chimneys have smoke coming out of them?'
'How many dogs can you see?'
Build a story around the card.
'The people who live in this village are preparing for a Christmas party.'
'The boy at the bottom of the card is singing Christmas Carols.'
'The lady at the top of the picture has baked mince pies for the villagers.'
'The people have decorated the tree ready for the big light switch-on later this evening.'
Spark conversation by asking 'Who?', What?', 'When?' 'Where?' and 'Why?'
Can the student develop the plot? What happens next?
Can the student relate events in the picture to events or experiences in their own lives?
Word Play
This activity builds word recognition and comprehension skills.
Cut out the verse from a Christmas card.
Ask the student to read the verse out loud.
Photocopy or write the verse onto the top of a piece of paper.
Cut out the individual words then scramble them for the student to place into the correct order.
Can the student use the words to compose their own sentences or phrases? e.g., 'New Year Wishes', 'Best Christmas Greetings.'
Poetry Page
The rhythm and rhyme of Poetry helps individuals to learn new vocabulary and encourages speech and language
You will need:
A Christmas card verse page
PVA glue/glue stick or sticky tape
Piece of card or paper
Carefully cut out the verses from the Christmas Cards.
Glue the verses onto the card or paper.
Read the poem aloud to the student.
Identify and define any unfamiliar words.
Can the student read the poem or any sentences aloud?
Summarise and discuss the poem's meaning.
Can the student create their own verse?
The Sensory Card
I love the cause and effect of this flip-up sequined card!
The senses are stimulated as the shiny silver reversible sequins change into a colourful star as the fingers are brushed over the surface. It is also very tactile.
This beautiful card will be promptly popped into my sensory box!
Buy Direct
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Other Titles in this Series
Fully resourced, step-by-step multisensory stories linking individuals to literature, culture, history & topic through the senses.
Each resource includes themed, sensory activities aimed at promoting communication skills, independence and areas of learning.
FULL LIST OF TITLES
The Seasons Collection
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
The Weather (Free resource)
Christmas
Dear Santa (Free resource)
Dear Santa Adapting into a Play (Free resource)
Culture & Celebrations Collection
A Train Ride Through India
Burns Night
Chinese New Year
Halloween
Holi
St Patricks Day
History
The King's Coronation
The Queen's Jubilee (Free resource)
The Romans
Life Skills
Jobs and Work Experience
Maths
Shapes - A Multisensory Exploration (includes 130 shape themed, sensory activities)
Reference
Listen - An A-Z of Sensory Inspiration to Stimulate the Auditory System
Sensory Resources for Sensory Learners (800+ ideas)
January 2024 Teachers Almanac
Self-Care
The Dentist (Free resource)
Washing Hands (Free resource)
Topic/Theme
Airports & Airplanes
Elephants
Journey into Space
Minibeasts
Superheroes
The Beach
The Farm
The Rainforest
Traditional Tales Collection
The Gingerbread Man
Goldilocks
Jack & the Beanstalk
Little Red Riding Hood
The Three Little Pigs
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'Multisensory Storytelling & Engagement Through Sensory Activities' Workshop
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Course notes (pdf)
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£99
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See you in February!
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The Health & Safety Bit!
Please Read Before Engaging in any of the Activities
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.
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