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

Monthly Activities Page

~ May 2025 ~

Daily Activities

Monthly activities' calendar in English:

Los atividades del mes en español:

Monthly Theme:

Here are some essential items that any nature explorer should have:

Life Learning

Recommended Reading

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

Holidays & Celebrations 

MAY DAY

Celebrated May 1st every year

STAR WARS DAY

Celebrated May 4th each year;  Capitalizing on a 'play on words' from the famous Star Wars line "May the force be with you," May the 4th has affectionately become a day for Star Wars fans all over the world to celebrate the cultural phenomenon of Star Wars by wishing "May the Fourth be with you"

CINCO DE MAYO

Celebrated May 5th every year. Cinco de mayo literally translates from Spanish to English as "5 of May."  Despite what most people think, Cinco de mayo is not Mexican Independence Day (that happens later in the year).  The holiday  commemorates Mexican victory over France at the Battle of Pueblo. In the USA, Cinco de mayo has become a celebration of Mexican heritage where the holiday is arguably more significant than in Mexico itself. 

MOTHER'S DAY 

Mother's Day is celebrated each year in the USA on the second Sunday of May. In 2025, Mother's Day will be celebrated on May 11th. It is a time when mothers of all kinds are celebrated for their nurturing & loving ways.  While it is common around the world to have a day that celebrates mothers, most other countries celebrate on a different day than in the USA. 

MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day is celebrated in the USA on the last Monday of May.  In 2025, Memorial Day will be observed on May 26th. Memorial Day began as "Decoration Day" & was originally a time for decorating the graves of soldiers who died during the US Civil War.  In present day, it is a time to remember all who have served.

Arts & Crafts

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

Crafts Recommended by Maestra Casiano for Celebrating Spring Holidays:

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

 

Career Exploration 

Florist (Floral Designer)

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

Executive Functioning Tips

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 Film Fun

Compare & Contrast Two Cinderella Stories

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

Step #2: Watch this short bedtime story of Walt Disney's "Cinderella"  

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: Watch all three parts of "Yeh-Shen - A Cinderella Story from China" 

   * Yeh-Shen (Part I)

   * Yeh-Shen (Part II)

   *Yeh-Shen (Part III)

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:

Step #7: Complete a Venn Diagram comparing & contrasting the two cartoons you watched: online template or printable template  

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

Family Fun Night Idea 

"April Showers Bring May Flowers"

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Have you ever heard someone say, "April Showers Bring May Flowers?"  Why do people say that? What does it mean?

Step #1: Watch & discuss a short video about Proverbs & Adages: Ages 9 & under (Click Here)  or Ages 10 & older (Click Here)

Step #2: Discuss the phrase "April Showers Bring May Flowers." What might the phrase mean?  Is it a proverb or an adage          (Hint: Proverbs teach a lesson; adages do not have a lesson associated with them).  What might the phrase mean? 

Step #3: Explore the origins & potential meaning of the phrase "April Showers Bring May Flowers:

   * Watch this short video, April Showers Bring May Flowers Explained (Click Here)

   * Read more about the  origins & meanings using this link (Click Here)

Step #4: Construct some Block Tech Bouquet Flowers as a Family (Click Here to View Inventory)

Step #5: Color the April Showers Bring May Flowers mini book & coloring page (advanced coloring) - as a challenge, see if             you can complete the Cryptogram activity

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

Featured Store Items

Pacific Islander & Asian Gift Ideas