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

Monthly Activities Page - October 2024

Daily Activities - October 2024

Monthly activities' calendar in English:

Los atividades del mes en español:

Monthly Theme - Amazing Animals

Recommended Resources from Maestra Casiano:

Tips for a Successful School Year

Recommended Reading for October

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

Recommended Books for the Home or Classroom Library from Maestra Casiano:

Holidays & Celebrations in October

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY

In the U.S.A., the second Monday of October each year is designated to celebrate Indigenous People.  It is a time to explore & celebrate the rich heritage of Native American people.  This day used to be called "Columbus Day" but by exploring history & culture, it is better celebrated as a symbol of cultural resilience rather than a remembrance of colonial era times when native inhabitants of conquered lands were often mistreated by European explorers (like Christopher Columbus).

HALLOWEEN

Halloween is the second most popular holiday in the United States of America. The holiday begun in Ireland centuries ago as a religious celebration.  Halloween has been known as a time when the realm of the dead & spiritual world can interact with the living world.  Over the years, the holiday has changed to become a commercial holiday.  Halloween is celebrated on October 31st every year. Halloween is celebrated in a few other countries but it is not extremely widespread. 

Music & Dance Inspiration for October

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

Arts & Crafts for October

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

Recommended Craft Kits & Activities from Maestra Casiano:

Downloadable Packets & Worksheets 

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):

Career Exploration

It is never too early to start talking about your child's interests, strengths, curiosity, & options for the future

Kid Friendly Culinary Creations to Try in October

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 

Executive Functioning for Families

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.

S.T.E.A.M. Exploration

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

Family Fun Night Suggestion 

Compare & Contrast Halloween Adventures!

Step #1: Watch & discuss this short video about Story Elements

Step #2: Choose one of the suggested Halloween cartoon shorts & watch it: 

   * Bugs Bunny's Halloween Special

   * Disney's Trick or Treat

   * Casper the Friendly Ghost

   * Paw Patrol Mighty Pups Spooky Mission

Step #3: Discuss the Story Elements present in the cartoon:

    * characters - people, animals, or animated objects that say or do something in the story

    * setting - where & when the story takes place

    * events that happen in the story

   * other story elements or traits?

Step #4:  Repeat steps 2 & 3 for one of the other suggested Halloween cartoon shorts 

Step #5: Watch a short video about Venn Diagrams

Step #6: Talk about how the two cartoons you watched are the same ("compare") & how they are different ("contrast")

Step #7: Complete a Venn Diagram comparing & contrasting the two cartoons you watched: online template or printable template  Hint: Each circle of your Venn Diagram will represent a different cartoon; use the title (name) of the cartoon as that circle's name

*** For kids in grades 6 & up, watch three different cartoons & try to create a Triple Venn Diagram ("Three Circle Venn Diagram").  This video may help you understand this challenge!

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

Family Movie Night Suggestion

Happy Halloween, Scooby Doo! (2020)

Scooby-Doo and the gang team up with their pals, Bill Nye "The Science Guy" and Elvira Mistress of the Dark, to solve this mystery of gigantic proportions and save Crystal Cove!

Scooby-Doo and Shaggy’s favorite holiday is upon us! With fake monsters and candy galore – Halloween is bliss for these hungry foodies going door-to-door; but this year, their sweet holiday turns sour when the neighborhood pumpkin patch is infected by toxic ooze, creating high-flying jack-o-lanterns, and a king-sized pumpkin leader squashing everything in its path.

It’s up to Scooby-Doo and the gang as they team up with their pals, Bill Nye The Science Guy and Elvira Mistress of the Dark, to solve this mystery of gigantic proportions and save Crystal Cove!

For added fun, make some "Scooby Snacks" for people to share during the movie (View the Recipe)!

Social-Emotional Development

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.

Featured Items for October