Welcome to the Learning Made Fun with Maestra Casiano Learning Hub & Online Store:

Monthly Activities Page

~ April 2025 ~

~ Daily Activities ~

Monthly activities' calendar in English:

Los atividades del mes en español:

~Recommended Reading~

Reading together & incorporating literacy into your daily life & routines is important for bonding, developing language, expanding vocabulary & fostering empathy

Holidays & Celebrations

~ April 2025 ~

APRIL FOOLS' DAY

Celebrated April 1st every year. This holiday is basically a local holiday celebrated by some people in the USA.

PASSOVER (PESACH)

Passover starts on April 13th this year & ends on April 20th. This Jewish holiday is celebrated each year in March or April.  The date of the holiday varies based upon the moon as this is a lunar holiday.  This is the holiday when Jews remember their deliverance from slavery.

Here are some Passover-related items recommended by Maestra Casiano:

EASTER

Easter week begins on April 13th this year with Palm Sunday and ends on April 21st which is Easter Monday.  Christians all over the world celebrate Easter each year in Spring.  The date Easter varies based upon the moon as this is a lunar holiday. Different Christian groups celebrate Easter on different dates. This is the holiday when Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Here are some Easter-related items recommended by Maestra Casiano:

EARTH DAY (Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, Reduce)

Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22nd. It is a time when people all over the world think of ways to reuse, recycle, repurpose, and reduce waste.  What new habits will you develop to help save our planet? 

Here are some Earth Day-related items recommended by Maestra Casiano:

~ Arts & Crafts ~

The visual arts are important for exploring creative expression as well as developing hand-eye coordination, dexterity, tenacity, & executive functioning skills

Here are some crafts recommended by Maestra Casiano that are perfect for April:

~ Music & Dance ~

Fostering whole child development involves incorporating kinesthetics, rhythm, musical intelligence, & creative expression through performing arts into daily lives

~Kid Culinary Creations~

Cooking & baking together is great for family bonding while providing real life opportunities to explore math concepts such as fractions, measurements, & proportions; practice reading & writing recipes using specialized vocabulary & sequencing words; and developing gastronomical awareness 

~S.T.E.A.M. Exploration~

Explore key concepts from science, technology, engineering, art, & math using items from around the house. 

~Printable Materials~

To access the printable activity/packet, click on the image for that packet.  These are downloadable PDF, WORD or PowerPoint files.  

For Kids in Preschool through Kindergarten:

For Kids in Lower Elementary Grades (1-2):

For Kids in Upper Elementary Grades (3-5):

For Kids in Middle School Grades (6-8):

~School Success Tips~

 

~Executive Functioning~

Executive Functioning (EF) is basically the brain's management system.  EF is a set of mental skills including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control that are used daily to learn, work, and manage daily life.

Trouble with executive function can make it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions, among other things.

~Social-Emotional Tips~

Social & emotional development, especially in early childhood, provides a critically important foundation for children in developing & learning throughout their lives.  
     Social development refers to the ability to initiate, create, foster, & sustain meaningful relationships with adults & peers.
     Emotional development refers to the ability to express, recognize, interpret, & manage one's emotions & the ability to respond appropriately to others' emotions.

Here are some great resources for teaching children to be altruistic, tolerant, & empathetic:

~ Family Fun Night Idea ~

The Lorax

Explore "The Lorax" - A Night for Exploring the Importance of Preserving the Earth & the Environment

The Lorax is a children's book written by Dr. Seuss and published in 1971.  It illustrates the demise of the environment and the Lorax, the main character, who "speaks for the trees" and confronts the "Onceler" (a capitalistic businessman) who causes environmental destruction.  For family fun night, read the Dr. Seuss book and/or watch the animated cartoon (approx 25 minutes long) then discuss (Consider the Engagement Suggestions that Maestra Casiano has provided below).

This story is an example of a fable (which is a type of story with a lesson) to address concern about the danger of greed causing human destruction of the natural environment.  The story utilizes personification (which means the author uses human form or characteristics to represent abstract qualities) to create relatable characters for industry.  Examples of personification include industrialization (represented by the "Onceler"), the environment (represented by the "Truffula" trees) and environmental activism (represented by the Lorax). The story encourages people to take an active role and become involved in making the situation better: a quote from the Lorax states, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not". The Lorax shows Dr Seuss’s views on climate change and pollution, teaching kids about how important it is to do our part to protect our environment or in this case Truffula trees.

The story, The Lorax, was admittingly Dr. Seuss's personal favorite of the books he authored. He was able to create an engaging story addressing industrialization, frivolous economic pursuits, and environmental issues. Dr. Seuss stated: "The Lorax came out of me being angry. The ecology books I'd read were dull...In The Lorax I was out to attack what I think are evil things and let the chips fall where they might".

Family Engagement Suggestions:

* Read the book, The Lorax, which can be purchased through Learning Made Fun With Maestra Casiano (Click Here)

* Discuss the events that happen in the story

* Discuss the use of personification (a type of figurative language) in the story.  Brainstorm other examples of personification.

* Create a Flow Chart to show the "causes" & their "effects" in the story

* How does the story of The Lorax make your child feel?  Is the Lorax a character your child would like to meet?  Why or why

   not?  How could your child & your family help the Lorax?  

* If you read the book & watch the cartoon, compare & contrast how they are the same & how they are different.  Which media

  presentation does your child prefer? Why?

*For K-3rd Graders, download, print, & complete "The Lorax Writing" worksheet (Click Here)

*For 4th-7th Graders, download, print, & complete "The Lorax Discussion Questions" (Click Here)

*For 8th-12th Graders, download, print, & complete "Exploring Environmental Themes in "The Lorax" & Real-World Analogies" (Click Here)

~ Family Movie Night ~

The Lorax

The Lorax (2012): Exploring Earth Day Themes (Ages 13 & under)

This story is an example of a fable (which is a type of story with a lesson) to address concern about the danger of greed causing human destruction of the natural environment.  The story utilizes personification (which means the author uses human form or characteristics to represent abstract qualities) to create relatable characters for industry.  Examples of personification include industrialization (represented by the "Onceler"), the environment (represented by the "Truffula" trees) and environmental activism (represented by the Lorax).

Avatar (2009): Exploring Earth Day Themes (Ages 12+)

Avatar (2009) takes us to the amazing world of "Pandora", where a man embarks on an epic journey of adventure and love, ultimately fighting to save the unique place he has learned to call home. This film provides an immersive, exciting experience, where revolutionary technology meets engaging characters in a timeless, emotional story.

Be sure to send Maestra Casiano some pictures! You might be featured on the site & win a gift certificate!

~Featured Store Items~

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