Thanks again to Victoria for sharing her November Teaching Calendar with us!
Sensory ideas and inspiration to celebrate the month of November including Armistice Day, LS Lowry, Bonfire Night, Christingle, Parliament week, Tutankhamun, free mini, King Charles I multisensory story and more!
Dates At A Glance
- Nov 1 Anniversary of the unveiling of the Sistine Chapel
- Nov 4 Anniversary of the Discovery of King Tutankhamun’s Tomb
- Nov 11 Armistice Day
- Nov 23 National Plant a Tree Week
On This Day in History
- Nov 4 1922 The excavation of King Tutankhamun’s Tomb
- Nov 8 1895 The Invention of the X-Ray
- Nov 10 1871 Stanley finds Livingstone
- Nov 12 1980 Nasa Probe Voyager 1 took images of Saturn’s rings
On this Day in History
Nov 1st 1887 – Birthdate of LS Lowry
English painter LS Lowry as well-known for his matchstick figures
Choose a background then cut and stick the silhouettes below onto your chosen background to re-create an inclusive Lowry masterpiece.
Tip
Add an extra sensory element by cutting your templates from sensory materials: thin sponge, felt, sandpaper etc
On This Day in History
Nov 1st 1512 – The Unveiling of Michelangelo’s Ceiling Painting in the Sistine Chapel
Michaelangelo painted a total of 343 figures on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Many people believe Michelangelo painted the ceiling lying on his back, he actually stood on scaffolding and used long brushes and craned his neck to reach.
Sensory Activity
You will need
- Cardboard
- Masking tape
- Paints
- Paintbrushes/rollers
- Paper
- Tape the paper to the cardboard the hold above the student’s head.
- Can the student reach out using their brushes and rollers to create a painting?
- Can the student lie on their back and paint above their head?
This activity can also be done using whiteboards and pens.
Did you know?
Previously, the ceiling was painted blue and covered with golden stars. This activity could be simplified by painting a blue background then sticking pre-gummed stars onto the ‘sky’
On This day In History
Nov 4 1922 – The Excavation of King Tutankhamun’s Tomb
English archaeologist Howard Carter began excavating the tomb of child-pharaoh Tutankhamun.
Re-Create Howard Carter’s Archaeological Dig
This sensory play engages the senses as the students manipulate the objects, promotes fine motor skills and connects students to history.
You will need:
A Base Layer:
Sand (Bury items into the soil/sandpit in the outdoor learning area. Alternatively use a box, bucket or similar container)
Soil/Stones/Pebbles (for a ‘less mess’ option use pulses, barley/lentils/dried beans)
Bury items into the sandpit in the outdoor learning area. Alternatively, use a box, builders/Tuff Tray or large container.
The list below is based on items that have been unearthed from the Egyptian pyramids.
- Jars
- Gold and silver rings (copper and metal washers make a cheap alternative)
- Jewellery
- Feathers
- Wood (from coffins!)
- Bones
- Mummy wrappings (pieces of bandage)
- Stones, rocks (granite and alabaster)
- Bury sprigs of herbs, bay leaves, fennel, mint, oregano, rosemary, thyme.
- Paintings were found in Tutankhamun’s tomb, print, and laminate hieroglyphics and bury in the sand.
- Replicate Items Discovered in Tutankhamun’s Tomb: Burial Mask (Print and laminate a picture of Tutankhamun’s mask), Model Boat, Board Games (bury a few counters and dice), Clay Jars, a Fan, Sandals.
- Herbs: Bury herbs that Egyptians used: Sage, Cinnamon Sticks, Cumin Seeds, Fennel, Coriander, Garlic Bulbs, Juniper Berries, Thyme.
Provide Items to Promote Fine Motor Skills: Lidded containers for storing ‘finds’, paintbrushes (assorted sizes), a sieve, funnels, spoons, toothbrush, toothpicks, watering can/water spray bottle.
Containers for Storing Items:
Boxes, Baskets, Tupperware, Shoe Box, Egg Carton.
Provide Items to Promote Scientific Investigation: Camera, magnifying glass, notebook & pen for drawing and recording findings.
Encourage students to use the tools to unearth treasure and the record their findings
Extend Learning:
Can the sensory explorer describe the item or name the material the item is composed of?
Can the sensory explorer tell you what an item might have been used for?
Add a couple of ‘red herring’ items (e.g. an item made of plastic, a toy phone, a crisp packet)
Tip!
Dim the lights in the classroom. Provide torches (a headtorch is a great hands-free option)
Fun Fact!
Garlic was discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb. The ancient Egyptians believed it possessed magical powers.
Activity Idea
Plant Garlic
Garlic grows well outside and is hardy to cold weather.
You will need
- Soil
- Garlic Bulb
- Water
Method
- Divide garlic bulb into cloves.
- Plant the garlic cloves pointy side up approx. 2cm directly into the soil (or if planting in pots, place the pots outdoors)
- Ensure the soil around the garlic does not dry out
- Harvest the garlic when then the leaves start to wither and turn brown but before all the leaves have died.
Recommended Resource
The Romans – A Multisensory Adventure
On this Day in History
Nov 8th 1895 – The Invention of the X-Ray
German physicist Wilhelm Rontgen used electromagnetic radiation to look inside the human body when he x-rayed his wife’s hand.
Make a Candlewax X-Ray Picture
You will need
- A sheet of paper
- A white wax candle or white wax crayon
- Watered down black poster paint
- Paintbrush
Activity
1. Using the white candle/crayon draw bones your paper. (Press firmly)
2. Paint the surface of the paper with watered down poster paint.
The Science Bit!
When the picture is dry, you will see that the bones show up as white on your paper. This is due to the wax repelling the water.
This Day in History
Nov 10 Stanley Finds Livingstone
‘Doctor Livingstone I presume?’ were the first words spoken by Henry Stanley to missing explorer David Livingstone.
Activity
The Explorer’s Rucksack
‘I’m trekking through the rainforest, a rucksack on my back
Inside I carry shorts, t-shirts, and a waterproof mac
Sunblock, lip balm and spray, for the insects that bite
A camera, binoculars and a torch, so I can see at night
A water bottle, food, and tools for when I set up camp
The weather is hot and sticky, humid, clammy and damp’
You will need
- Rucksack/bag
- Binoculars
- Dried fruit
- Hat
- Map
- Torch
- Camera
- Shorts and t-shirt
- Water bottle
- Waterproof clothing (mac/trousers)
Extend Learning
Place additional items into the rucksack you would not need for a trek thorough the
rainforest e.g., a hairdryer, snorkel, swimsuit, woolly hat/scarf, bucket and spade,
keys. Can the sensory explorer identify the appropriate items to take the rainforest and spot the ‘red herrings?’
Excerpt from ‘The Rainforest – A Multisensory Adventure!’
Join our explorer on their adventures as s/he explores the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of The Amazon Rainforest with this fully resourced, step-by-step multisensory story/teaching resource plus sensory, rainforest themed activities!
This is a very special resource as all the artwork has been contributed by autistic artists from Manaus in the Amazon Basin and other regions of Brazil. Thank you to everyone involved in this project! Denise Teperine, Meiry Geraldo, Galeria Aut, Theila Rosario Figueira and last but not least to all the talented artists and their families!
Nov 12th 1980 – Nasa Probe Voyager 1 took images of Saturn’s rings
‘Saturn has rings made of graphite
The heat and the pressure rain diamonds so bright’
Explore Rings
- Snap glowsticks to activate then using the connector, attach the ends to form a bracelet.
- Count bangles as you slowly slide them onto the student’s wrist. Can the student count the bangles as they slide them onto your wrist?
- Can the student name the colours of each bangle/glowstick?
- Can the student use their fine motor skills to twist pipe cleaners into rings?
Alternative Activities
- Scatter silver confetti/stars/glitter from above within the explorer’s eye line to re-create the effect of diamonds falling from the sky. Dim the lights and shine the torch as the items fall.
- Present a hula hoop for exploration. Model twirling the hoop around your waist or take turns rolling it to one another
You might like:
‘Journey into Space – A Multisensory Exploration of the Solar System’
Nov 23
National Plant a Tree Week
Plant a Tree from a Seed
Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen help to clean the air by absorbing pollutants.
Head into your school/setting grounds or the local park/greenspace and look for tree seeds, nuts and cones.
Tree Seeds: Apple Pip, Ash, Common Lime, Maple, Sycamore
Tree Nuts: Acorns, Beech, Hazel, Horse Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut
Tree Cones: Alder, Cedar, Cypress, Pine, Silver Birch.
Plant the seeds, nuts and cones into soil, water, and place on a sunny windowsill. Transplant outdoors when they start to shoot.
Health & Safety Advice
Wear gloves and do not ingest the seeds, nuts, or cones.
Plant a Pinecone
This is a wonderful activity can be done indoors.
You will need:
- A small plant pot
- A pinecone
- Soil
- Water
- A sunny windowsill
- Fill your pot with soil.
- Plant the base of your pinecone into the soil.
- Water lightly.
- Place on a sunny windowsill.
You will see new growth sprout from the pinecone which can be replanted outdoors in the spring!
Make Bark Rubbings
Place a sheet of paper over the bark. Rub lightly with crayons/chalks or charcoal.
Hug a Tree!
Share a Tree Poem
November Nature
November is the last full month of Autumn.
Autumn Sensory Walk
Head outdoors for an Autumn Walk or forage around your outdoor learning area:
Find five different items to look at
Find four different items to touch
Find three sounds to listen to
Find two things to smell
Find one items to taste
What to look for in Nature in November
Acorns, Apples, Animal Tracks, Apples, Bark, Beech, Berries, Birds, Bracken, Brambles, Bugs Colours, Conkers, Elderberries, Frost, Fruits, Fungi, Geese Greenfinch, Halloween, Hazelnuts, Hedgehogs, Horse Chestnut Tree, Hops, Insects, Leaves, Mist, Moss, Nuts, Oak Tree, Pears, Pinecones, Seeds, Sloes, Squirrels, Starling, Swallows, Sycamore Seeds (‘Spinners’), Tracks, Trees and Twigs.
Autumn Leaves
In November the outdoor areas will be carpeted with leaves.
- Promote gross motor skills, rake, and sweep the leaves!
- See how many different coloured and shaped leaves you can find. Catch the student match the leaves?
- Paint the leaves.
- Make a leaf collage.
November Music
- Listening to music enhances mood and aids concentration. Play low background music during snack time, when baking and when engaging in arts and craft activities.
- Take a portable speaker and bubbles into the outdoor area at break and lunch time. Have a mini disco!
- Listening to music provides the opportunity to explore different artists and genres of music and invites the sensory explorer to have a little dance, move their body and feel good!
Theme your Music by Month
(please check suitability of lyrics)
- “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses
- “November” by Tom Waits
- “Gone Till November” by Wyclef Jean
- “November Song” by Yerin Baek
- “November” by Azure Ray
- “November Blue” by The Avett Brothers
- “Rose Hip November” by Vashti Bunyan
Theme Music by Artists Born in October
- 3rd Nov: Vincenzo Bellini (Italian opera composer)
- 5th Nov: Art Garfunkel
- 6th Nov: James Bowman (English tenor famous for singing in Handel’s operas)
- 12th Nov: Neil Young (Canadian singer-songwriter)
- 14th Nov: Aaron Copland (American composer)
- 16th Nov: Paul Hindemith (German composer)
- 18th Nov: Carl von Weber (German composer)
- 22nd Nov: Benjammin Britten (British composer)
- 21st Nov: Coleman Hawkins (American jazz saxophonist)
- 23rd Nov: Manuel de Falla (Spanish composer)
26th Nov: Tina Turner - Nov 27th: Jimi Hendrix
- Nov 28th: Jean Baptiste Lully (French composer)
Theme Music by Historical Musical Events in November
- Nov 6th Belgian Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone
- Nov 20th1805 Beethoven’s opera ‘Fidelio’ is staged for the first time in Vienna
You Might Like…
‘Autumn – A Multisensory Exploration’
Explore the sights, sounds, smells and textures of Autumn with this multisensory story.
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.
Get in Touch!
Your questions, queries, comments & feedback are always welcome!
email: rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com
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Health & Safety Advice & Disclaimer
Please Read Before Engaging in any of the Activities
- 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
‘Have a great month…see you in December’
Victoria:)