March Teaching Calendar
Updated: Mar 21
Teaching ideas, activities and inspiration to celebrate the month of March including St David's Day, St Patrick's Day, Holi, Alexander Graham Bell Day, Ramadan, Spring and more!
Dates at a Glance
1st March - St David's Day
4th March - Marching Music Day
7th March - Alexander Graham Bell Day
8th March - 'Holi'
13th March - This Day in History - The Discovery of Uranus
16th March - National Panda Day
17th March - St Patrick's Day
17th March - Comic Relief
19th March - Mother's Day
20th March - First day of Spring
22nd March - 20th April - Ramadan
'Spring' Themed Training Session
Explore the sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes of Spring with this informal, mini training session.
FREE to Subscribers FREE to Students
Non-subscribers: £5* *includes 'Spring - A Multisensory Exploration' Fully resourced, step-by-step multisensory story and teaching pack (digital)
Dates available: Weds 22nd March 4pm
Mon 27th March 3pm Weds 29th March 3.30pm
Held via Zoom - Run time: 30 mins plus Q & A
email: rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com
Send a message via the chat feature on the website
Send a message via social media:)
1st March
St David's Day
Explore Welsh Foods
Food exposure can be beneficial to individuals with a limited diet as it supports exploration of different food types, smells textures and tastes.
Present a variety of Welsh foods for the individual to explore at their own pace.
Initial explorations could be through touch and smell.
When progressing to tasting, present a tiny touch to the lips, then offer a morsel or a drop in the mouth, an egg spoon building up to a full bite.
Be Allergy Aware!
Explore:
Welsh Cheese: Caerphilly, Capel Newydd, Celtic Promise, Dragon’s Breath, Perl Las Blue, Welsh Cheddar, Welsh Goat’s Cheese
Welsh Vegetables: Leeks, Samphire
Welsh Seafood: Cockles, Seaweed (Laverbread)
Welsh Sweet Foods: Welsh Cakes, Bara Brith,
Welsh Rarebit Recipe
Ingredients
350g Mature Cheddar, grated
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp milk
Thickly sliced bread
Option to season with mustard/pepper/Worcestershire sauce
Method
Grate the cheese.
Mix the cheese with the milk and the beaten egg.
Preheat the grill to high and toast the bread on both sides.
Spread the cheese mixture on the toast.
Grill until the cheese is melted and starting to turn golden brown.
Explore Food Textures (Model the Language)
Aromatic, bitter, buttery, cheesy, chewy, coarse, creamy, crispy, crumbly, crunchy, delicate, eggy, fishy, fresh, mushy, oniony, peppery, pungent, ripe, rubbery, salty, savoury, seasoned, sharp, smooth, soggy, squidgy, squishy, toasty, vinegary.
Alternative Activity
Mark Making using Leeks
You will need
Whole Leeks
Card or Paper
Paint
(Option to use a template flag for students to follow the lines and paint)
Using the leeks as a paintbrush, dip into paint and paint the flag of St David.
4th March
Marching Music Day
Celebrate the 'March Music Genre'
Listen to a marching band.
Watch footage of a marching band.
Explore a selection of instruments.
Join in with the music.
March with your feet to the music.
Make musical shakers using recycled items: clean yogurt pots/containers and cardboard boxes filled with dried rice/pulses/beans.
7th March
Alexander Graham Bell Day
On this day Alexander Graham Bell uttered his famous words to his assistant Mr. Watson, 'Come here; I want you.' via his new invention, the telephone.
Using the telephone is an important life skill. Disused landline phones and old mobile phones (batteries removed) are excellent tools for developing communication skills, firing the imagination, and building confidence.
Explore telephone role play.
Make an imaginary phone call to a relative, friend or a famous person.
Role play ordering food, a booking a taxi or making an appointment.
Relay messages, give or receive directions and instructions Provide a diary/notebook to write appointments and information in.
Extend Learning
Teach students how and when to call the emergency services.
Make Paper Cup Phones
Paper cup phones are fun to make and excellent for promoting turn-taking and listening skills.
You will need:
String
Two paper/polystyrene cups
How to make the Paper Cup Phones
Cut a piece of string (15-20 m in length)
Poke a small hole in the bottom of each cup.
Thread the string through each cup securing each end with a knot.
How to use the Paper Cup Phones
Each person takes a cup and holds it at full stretch.
One person talks into the cup while the other puts the cup to their ear and listens.
8th March
Holi
'I visited India on the first day of Spring
And what a surprise that did bring!
I walked onto the street, a young boy ran by
And threw powder paint high into the sky
Paint covered my clothes, face and my hair
Bright coloured mist clouded the air'
Excerpt from 'Holi - A Multisensory Exploration' (£3.98 or free to subscribers to the Members Library)
Edible Holi 'Powder Paint'
This alternative to powdered paint and provides a wonderful sensory experience.
You will need
1/2 cup Corn Flour
Milkshake Powder
1tsp of water
A few drops of essence/food flavouring (strawberry, banana, mint)
Method
Mix the ingredients to a mouldable, yet powdery consistency.
Alternative Activity
Rainbow Rice
Promote fine motor skills and involve the students in making the rainbow rice.
You will need:
Lidded Container
1 cup of Dried Rice
1 tsp Vinegar
Food colouring
Method:
Place the cup of dried rice into a container.
Add 1tsp vinegar.
Add the food colouring (adjust the quantity according to the depth of colour required.)
Place the lid on the container.
Shake until the rice is coloured.
Spread onto a baking tray/kitchen towel to dry.
Sweet Stuff!
Explore multicoloured sweets: 'Rainbow Drops', 'Rainbow Sprinkles', 'Smarties', 'Jelly Tots', 'Skittles', 'Fruit Pastilles', 'Dolly Mixtures', 'Midget Gems'
Promote Fine Motor & Colour Sorting Skills
Can the students pick up the sweets using safety tweezers, grippers or scoop up using a cup to transfer the sweets into a container?
Can the students sort the sweets into piles according to their colour?
Celebrate the magic and colour of the spring festival of Holi with this fully resourced, step-by-step multisensory story and themed extension activities.
'Holi - A Multisensory Exploration' (£3.98)
Table of Contents
Story Props Checklist
How to Tell a Multisensory Story
Holi - Fully Resourced Step-by-Step Multisensory Exploration
Holi Themed Sensory Umbrella
Holi Themed Sensory Tent
Holi Themed Sensory Bin
Holi Themed Sensory Bag
Holi Themed Listening Game
Let's Make...Holi Powder Paint
Jackson Pollock Themed Art
Scented Paint
Paint Bombs & Cinnamon Stick Painting
Paint Splatter Picture
Colour Sorting
Thandai Recipe
Holi Ideas & Inspiration
13th March 1781
Discovery of Uranus
'The clouds of Uranus are smoky and smelly
It wobbles around on its side like a jelly'
(Excerpt from 'Journey into Space - A Multisensory Exploration')
Explore Uranus
Light the incense stick out of reach of the student but within their eye line. Can the student track the smoke as it dances into the air? Can the student smell the heady perfume of the that fills the room?
Engage the student’s sense of touch as they investigate the elasticity of a jelly and how it wobbles and moves when touched. Would the student like to taste the slippery, shivery jelly?
17th March
St Patrick's Day
Activity Idea
Bell Pepper Shamrock Painting
You will need:
Bell Pepper
Card/Paper Bell
Green Paint
Method:
1. Cut the bell pepper in half width-ways to reveal the natural 'shamrock' shape.
2. Dip into green paint then print onto paper.
Extend this activity by using two colours: orange and green paint (to represent the colours of the flag)
Can the student make a pattern by alternating the colours?
Join the celebrations with this fully resourced, step-by-step multisensory exploration of 'St Patrick's Day' (£3.98)
Table of Contents
Story Props Checklist
How to Tell a Multisensory Story
St Patrick's Day - Fully Resourced Step-by- Step Multisensory Exploration
Developing Comprehension & Understanding
Story Map
St Patrick's Day Listening Game
St Patrick's Day Sensory Bag
St Patrick's Day Sensory Bin
Leprechaun Food
Sensory Art
Sensory Stuffed Sock Snakes
Bubble Snakes
The Leprechaun's Science Lab
Soda Bread Recipe
Interesting Facts
St Patricks Day Ideas & Inspiration
16th March
National Panda Day
Although quiet animals, Pandas do make 'barking', 'huffing', and 'growling sounds'. Listen to an audio clip of a Panda making these sounds. Can the student imitate the noise? Record their vocalisation and play it back.
Pandas move slowly with their toes pointing inwards.
Watch footage of a Panda walking. Can the student move like a Panda?
Make a Panda Themed Sensory Bin:
Line the base of your tray/container with green shredded paper/grass/dried rice/noodles/green tagliatelle.
Add 'Bamboo' (small sticks or twigs, lollipop/craft sticks, cinnamon sticks) and assorted leaves and grasses.
Add a toy panda (or draw/print out pictures of pandas on card, laminate and affix to a lollipop stick or straw)
Add other interesting black and white items: Beads, pom poms, Lego bricks, dice, counters, pipe cleaners, feathers, sequins.
17th March
Comic Relief
We all need laughter in our lives!
Watch a clip of a clown/circus act or a funny cartoon.
Listen to audio clips of people laughing (canned laughter.)
Make funny masks.
Provide wigs, face paints and dressing up clothes. Invite students to explore different looks, the wackier the better! Provide a mirror so students can see their reflection.
Try 'laughing' yoga!
Make a 'Red Nose' Pom Pom
This activity is relaxing, tactile and promotes fine motor skills.
You will need:
Red wool
Two circles of card (students can either trace around a circular object to create their own or you can provide a template.)
Scissors
How to Make a 'Red Nose' Pom Pom
Cut the card into two circles the same size.
Cut out the centres to create a 'doughnut' shape.
Make one cut from the outer edge of the circle to the inner 'doughnut.'
Start wrapping the red wool around the edge of the circle and through the doughnut until you there is no space to wrap anymore wool.
Cut along the edge of the wool
Wrap a piece of wool between the two circles of card to secure and tie.
Trim any straggly pieces of wool.
19th March
Mothers Day
Create a Sensory Mothers Day Card
You will need
Card
Celery
Paint (green and pink/red)
A pipecleaner/bow/ribbon
Activity
Dip a finger into the green paint then draw lines on the paper to represent the stalks.
Cut the celery two inches above the root (place the stalks into the fridge)
Dip the root (stalk end facing downwards) into the red/pink paint.
Press onto the top of the stalks to make your roses
Decorate with a pipe cleaner, bow or ribbon
Thank you to Austin for sharing his artwork and to his lovely Teacher Jude
20th March
Spring
Spring runs from 20th March to 21st June 2022
Make a Spring Weather Box
This activity promotes an understanding of the change of seasons, provides sensory feedback and the opportunity for the individual to explore and express their likes, dislikes and sensory preference giving them a voice and to make choices.
You will need:
A Lidded Box
Spring clothing: (ankle socks, cardigan/fine knit, lightweight raincoat, long sleeved t-shirt, spring dress
Single switch communication device (Talking Tile/BIGMack or similar device) with a recording of birdsong.
Umbrella and water spray bottle (for those spring showers)
Spring vegetables: Artichoke, asparagus, baby carrots, chard, celery, chives, fennel, lettuce, new potatoes, radish, spinach, spring onion.
Engage the Senses
Place the items into a lidded box for the student to explore.
Change the items in your box to keep the activity fresh and motivating.
You may wish to start with one or two items in your box and keep adding to them.
If the individual dislikes an item in the box, then remove it and replace with a different item.
Take a note of sensory preferences. This information can be used in the writing of care plans and personal care e.g., you may discover that the student prefers a viscose V-neck t-shirt to a polyester collared one, cotton patterned ankle socks instead of mid-calf plain socks. This sensory exploration may help you identify new foods, textures or items that the student enjoys.
'Spring - A Multisensory Exploration/Teaching Resource' (£3.98)
Table of Contents
How to tell a Multisensory Story
Story Props Checklist
'Spring' Full Story
'Spring' Fully Resourced, Step-by-Step Multisensory Story
Spring Pond Sensory Bin
Let's Explore...Lambs
Bee Seed Balls
Nest Building
Make a Bird Nesting Material Holder
Chocolate Bird Nests
Flower Colour Changing Experiment
Spring Weather Box & Sensory Clothes Exploration
Spring Nature Walk
Bottle Animals
Herb Sock Animal
Cress Shapes
Mini Greenhouse
Nature's Art Room
Spring Weaving
Spring Clean Your Classroom
Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Spring Ancient Beliefs - Egypt & The Roman Empire
Spring Ancient Beliefs - Shemu
Spring Ancient Beliefs - Anglo Saxons
Spring Ancient Beliefs - Ancient Greece & Maya
Mayan Equinox Sensory Bin
Spring Festivals Around the World - Holi
Spring Festivals Around the World - Marzanna (Poland)
Spring Festivals Around the World - Cimburijada (Bosnia)
Spring Festivals Around the World - Las Fallas (Valencia Spain)
Spring Festivals Around the World - Cherry Blossom Festival (Japan)
Spring Festivals Around the World - Nowruz (Iran)
Spring Sensory Ideas & Inspiration
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
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?
Be allergy aware.
Just Released!
'Shapes - A Multisensory Exploration + 130 Shaped Themed Activities' £3.98
Explore the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of shapes with this fully resourced, step-by-step, multisensory story PLUS 130 shape themed activities that link to areas of the curriculum.
Click to view gallery Visit the shop
Subscribers visit the Members Library
Thank you (in alphabetical order) to the staff and students at:
Churchill Park Academy
Harbour House
Henrique Figuiera
Seven Hills School, Sheffield
St Andrew's School
The Vine Campus, Leeds City College
Wilson Stuart School
Other Dates:
March 3rd
World Wildlife Day
March 8th
International Women's Day
March 10th - 19th
British Science Week
March 13th
Commonwealth Day
March 19th
St Joseph's Day
March 20th-26th
Downs Syndrome Awareness Week
March 22nd
World Water Day
March 25th
Earth Hour
Birthdays
2nd March 1904
Dr Seuss - Share a story 'Green Eggs & Ham', 'The Cat in the Hat', 'One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish', 'Horton Hatches the Egg'
6th March 1475
Michelangelo - Explore his artwork
March 14th 1879
Albert Einstein - Explore light (torches/light-up toys), gravity (throwing balls in the air), space and time.
RMSS Catalogue
.pdf
Download PDF • 2.83MB
Stories are priced at £3.98 each
Visit the Etsy Store
Subscribe to the Members Library for unlimited access to all resources to view online, download and/or print plus FREE Zoom mini training sessions
£95 per year (school/setting site licence - multiple members)
Or buy individually at £3.98 each
Visit the shop
Training (1-1, Groups & INSET)
'An Introduction to Multisensory Storytelling' Course
1-1 £45
Groups (Enquire for a price)
INSET £250
Book a course and receive a FREE 6-month subscription to the Members Library!
(Offer excludes 1-1 bookings)
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
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.
Choose your theme:
Full List of Titles
The Seasons Collection
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
The Weather (free resource)
Christmas
Dear Santa (free resource)
Culture & Celebrations Collection
A Train Ride Through India
Burns Night
Chinese New Year
Halloween
Holi
St Patricks Day
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
Self-Care
The Dentist
Washing Hands (free resource)
Topic
Journey into Space
Minibeasts
Superheroes
The Beach
The Farm
The Queens Jubilee (free resource)
The Rainforest
The Romans
Traditional Tales Collection
The Gingerbread Man
Goldilocks
Jack & the Beanstalk
Little Red Riding Hood
The Three Little Pigs
How is the Training Delivered?
The training is delivered as a friendly and informal session via Zoom.
How Much Does the Course Cost?
1-1 Training Session £45
Whole School/Setting INSET £250
For smaller group bookings please enquire for a price
Book a course and receive a FREE 6-month* subscription to the Members Library!
(*Group bookings only)
Course Length
1hour 30 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
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.
Your questions, queries, comments and feedback are always welcome!
Contact me via email
rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com
or
send me a message via social media:)