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):

Career Exploration

Botanist (Scientist that Studies Plants)

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

Here are some great resources for budding botanists!

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 Idea 

Fantastic Fun with Amazing Animals

Each week this summer, help your child explore the amazing animals on our planet! 

Part A - Learn from Others' Efforts

•Step 1: Allow your child to choose one of the provided animal fact sheets to learn about a specific animal.

•Step 2: Discuss the facts. Which does your child think is most interesting or surprising?

•Step 3: Watch a National Geographic or similar source video on Youtube to see the animal in their natural habitat, hear their sounds, see how they move, etc..

•Step 4: Discuss with your child any new facts they learned about the animal or any clarification that was received

•Step 5: Write these on tbe back of that animal's poster

Part B - Learning through Your Own Efforts

•Step 1: Work with your child to think of a different animal that lives in the same habitat of the one you just explored

•Step 2: Help your child research the chosen animal using books, videos, websites & other resources provided below

•Step 3: Help your child create an informative poster similar to the provided ones that presents what they have learned (let them use words and/or drawings to convey the information)

Part C - Putting It All Together

•Create a booklet or binder that displays all of tge animals that you have learned about this Summer. Create a table of contents listing the animals in alphabetical order order

•Create a map of the world & draw a tiny representation of each animal in the approximate area where they are mostly found in the wild

•Take a trip to the zoo to see some of these animals in real life! Discuss some of the pros & cons of a zoo. Why can they be important in helping animals survive & helping humans to protect them?

•Be sure to request a FREE animal fact bookmark for your child from Maestra Casiano (Click Here)!

•Take pictures of your family working on this project and include them in your book with child-created captiins of what is being done & why

•Submit a photo or video of your child to Maestra Casiano to feature on The Hub for a chance to win a special animal book (Click Here)!

Informative Report Posters

Here are some great resources & tools to celebrate animals:

Family Fun Night Idea 

Pretend Play - "A Pirate's Life for Me"

Explore the History of Piracy

Explore the Life of a Pirate

Pirate Treasure Map Activities

Here are some great pirate themed resources & props for exploring the pirate theme:

 Family Movie Night

MJR Theater Summer Movie Specials for June

MJR Theaters are offering certain family friendly movies to be shown over the summer for ticket costs of $3. These are fun, air conditioned, budget friendly opportunities for fun for this summer!  After watching the movie, try the enrichment activities!

Summer Movie Enrichment Activities

•Making Connections Activity ("The Wild Robot"): Discuss some of the problems "Roz" experienced on the island.  Discuss with your child how that experience might effect your child. What would your child need to survive on an island? Make a list of the things needed (both tangible & intangible) for your child/family to survive on an island. Draw or write examples of how those needs could be met.

•Movie Retell & Sequel Creation Activity ("Kung Fu Panda 4"): Color then cut out the characters for Kung Fu Panda 4 (click here to access/print). Then create popsicle stick puppets (use this video to guide you) for the Kung Fu Panda character or purchase the Kung Fu Panda toy figures available from Maestra Casiano. Use the puppets or toy figures to retell the movie. Be sure to act out the most important scenes. These would be the events that are necessary for the story to make sense. Discuss which characters are part of the scene & why the scene is important. For an added challenge, consider creating your own Kung Fu Panda adventures using the puppets & toy figures.  What important events would happen in these additional adventures?

•Compare & Contrast ("Despicable Me 4"): In this movie, you meet a new character, Gru, Jr.  There are times in the movie when Gru, Jr. & his father (Gru, Sr.) seem very similar, and there are other times when they seem very different.  Make a list showing ways that Gru, Sr. & Gru, Jr. are the same & how they are different.  Use pictures and/or words to explain. For an added challenge, create a Venn Diagram to compare (tell how they are the same) & contrast (tell how they are different) - This Youtube video may help you understand & create a Venn Diagram.  Then, think about your parents & how you are similar & how you are different. Choose a parent & make a list of how you are the same & how you are different.  For an added challenge, create a Triple Venn Diagram to compare & contrast you, your mom & your dad!  This example diagram might help give you an idea of how to do this - think of physical characteristics & personality traits. 

•Cause & Effect ("Migration"): The concept of "migration" is an important one for both biological sciences & social sciences.  The "Migration" movie talks about a family of ducks migrating.  Many animals, including people, migrate for different reasons.  Watch these videos ("Why Do Animals & Birds Migrate," "Little School Migration for Kids" & "Migrations: Big Animal Trips") for kids about migration to discuss how, why, when, & which animals might migrate.  Has anyone in your family migrated?  Why did they migrate?  What is the different between simply moving & migrating? Make a Cause & Effect diagram showing the cause (the reason why someone or something migrates) for migration for a certain person or animal & the effect (where did the person or animal move). This Youtube video might help your child understand cause & effect relationships. Here is a printable and/or editable cause & effect template for you to use (or draw your own)!  Words and/or pictures can be used to show cause & effect.