Daily Activities - April

Monthly activities' calendar in English:

Los atividades del mes en español:

Monthly Theme

Recommended Reading 

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

Holidays in April

APRIL FOOLS' DAY

Celebrated April 1st every year

Total Solar Eclipse

Every 400 years, locatioms on Earth experience a total solar eclipse! This year, North Americans will have the opportunity to observe on on April 8th!

EID AL FITR (Muslim Celebration of the End of Ramadan)

observance begins this year on or near April 9th; date varies each year based upon the moon as this is a lunar holiday 

EARTH DAY (Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, Reduce)

celebrated each year on April 22nd to explore & adopt new habits to save the planet 

PASSOVER (PESACH when Jews remember their deliverance from slavery)

Passover is observed from April 22nd-30th this year; celebrated each year in March or April; date varies based upon the moon as this is a lunar holiday

Music & Dance

Fostering whole child development involves incorporating kinsethetics, rhythm, musical intelligence, & crea-tive expression through performing arts into daily lives

Arts & Crafts 

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

Downloadable Packets & Worksheets 

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

For Kids in Preschool through Kindergarten:

For Kids in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade:

For Kids in 3rd through 8th Grade:

Career Exploration

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

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, tech- nology, engineering, art, & math using items from around the house. 

Family Fun Night Suggestion 

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 Suggestion

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!

Self Care & Wellness Promotion Suggestions

Featured Items

Did you know that there is educational value in a stuffed animal, especially when reading with young children?

It's true! Stuffed animals are an intrinsic link to the imagination for children.  Children can imagine entire universes where their stuffed animals can talk, move, dance, & engage in adventures with them.  This is exciting for children.  Pretend play is exciting for children.  Research shows that children are more enthusiastic about participating in activities, taking risks, and practicing challenging tasks when they have a stuffed animal with them.  Stuffed animals help children to feel safe & relaxed to try things that may make them otherwise anxious.  Children can practice reading fluency with the stuffed animal and practice book-related vocabulary.  They can use language & vocabulary from a story's pictures & words to tell the stuffed animal what is happening or what happened.  Stuffed animals do not judge, they just listen!  This means that children feel safer to make mistakes with them. After your child develops a routine or comfort with reading with their stuffed animal "buddy," take time to ask your child to read to you, too!  Encourage them to use different voices for different characters.  Encourage them to retell specific events & details from the story.  Encourage them to talk about how the story makes them feel or how it relates to them.  Here are some fun-tastic Book & Buddy Sets that can help your family enjoy the excitement of reading together!