Deirdre, Author at JDaniel4s Mom

Deirdre Smith writes/owns JDaniel4’s Mom. After twenty years as a elementary school and technology resource teacher in Northern Virginia, she became a stay at home mom in upstate South Carolina. Her blog features ways she and her 5 year old are exploring learning, crafting, creating healthy meals and living life to its fullest. Deirdre can also be found on twitter as @jdaniel4smom and on her blog's FB page. You can also check her out on Google+.

Ghost Tracing Cards

October 9, 2023 By Deirdre

This set of ghost tracing cards is a fun way to work on tracing. Tracing is a great way to work on fine motor skills, pre-writing skills, and concentration. It also helps children focus on visual-spatial skills and eye-hand coordination.

Each of the ghost tracing cards displays a starting and end place. The starting place is on the inside of the ghostly spiral. The ending spot is close the one the each ghost’s hands. While the starting place of the line is tight inside the spiral, children should be able to use a dry-erase marker to trace the line. Of course, you will want to laminate each card if you want to use a dry-erase marker on the card. Instead of laminating the card and using a marker on the line a pencil or crayon could be used.

Getting the Ghost Tracing Card

First, you download the set.

Ghost Tracing Cards Download

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader please download it. The set is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, go to your download file and open the set.

Getting the Cards Ready to Use

If you plan on using the cards over and over again, you may want to laminate them. Below I have suggested products that you may want to use to cover them.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Amazon Picks

Scotch Brand PRO Thermal Laminator, Never Jam…$54.68~~$128.93~~ (11154)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 100 Count-P…$15.98~~$24.68~~ (63556)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200- Count-…$27.99~~$42.99~~ (23612)

Hammermill Printer Paper, Great White 100% Recy…$17.00 (4917)

Tracing Tools

Unlaminated Cards

Color Pencil
#2 Pencil
Crayon
Marker
Pen

Laminated Cards

The links below are affiliate links.

Exploring Ghost Tracing Cards

The cards can be placed in a writing or fine motor center for children to use. Of course, you could have children work on tracing in morning or seatwork if you prefer. It will really be up to you.

Some of the tracing cards have tighter or more challenging lines to trace. You may want to have your children start with one of the easier tracing cards. After that, they can move to one of the more challenging ones.

More Fine Motor Activities

Slime Themed Duck in a Truck Activity

Arts and Crafts Fine Motor Octopus

Arts and Crafts Fine Motor Paper Plate Octopus

Halloween Ghost Worksheets and Activities

October 7, 2023 By Deirdre

Ghost Worksheets and Activities are fun to explore. This ghost mini-series focuses on a variety of learning skills. All they really have in common is the friendly ghosts they display. Actually they do have another thing in common. They each work on simple concepts that could be explored by children young and old.

The Ghost Tracing cards invite children to trace the spirals that make up the tails of the ghosts. Children can turn the cards as they try to follow the lines with pencil or crayon. They can be laminated so children can use a dry erase marker if you want them too.

Coloring Ghostly Numbers is fun when you follow an algorithm or series of steps. The steps on this coloring page are displayed on Blockly coding blocks. There are two versions of this page. First there is a page with assigned colors. The second page invites children to choose their own colors of each number.

Many of the online coding course for children young and old feature Blockly blocks. This is a fun way to introduce them to your children.

The final set in the series focuses on patterning. There are six ghostly pattern strips in the set. Whether you choose to have your children pattern with Halloween themed items, buttons or math counters it will a lot of fun. These can be used in a small group, center or while working with a student one-on-one.

More Halloween Ghost Worksheets and Activities

Ghost Cup Stacking Challenge Cards

Halloween Peeps Candy Ghost Experiment

Ghostly Shape Building Challenge Mats

October 3, 2023 By Deirdre

Ghost shape building is great fun. The ghostly shape mats can be used to explore the outline of shapes. It is also a great way to introduce shapes, edges, and corners. The set could also be used to work on the perimeter of shapes.

The set includes mats that are both B/W and color. The B/W versions of the shape mats could be used as coloring pages or printed on colored paper.

Getting the Ghostly Shape Building Mats

First, you download the set.

Ghostly Shape Building Mats Download

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader please download it. The set is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, go to your download file and open the set.

Great Manipulatives To Use With the Set

The links below are affiliate links.

Buttons
Unifix Cubes
Glass Pebbles
Counting Bears
Craft Sticks
Beans
Plastic Soda Caps
Wooden Cubes
Keva Planks

Exploring the Shape Mats

There are several ways to explore the set of mats.

Great center or small group activity.
Can be used in a free exploration or to do non-standard measurements.
The mats can be filled with objects that are that shape or be taken a shape scavenger hunt.
Finally, can fill the shape or cover the outline.

More Shape Activities

Seed Packet Shape Building Mats

Farm STEM Challenges- Build Pattern Block Animals (Available on my TPT shop)

STEM Challenge- Build an Earth Shape

Farm STEM Challenge- Building Shape Fences

Spider Cup Stacking STEAM Challenge Cards

October 2, 2023 By Deirdre

Spider Cup Stacking Challenge Cards are fun to explore. This set of challenge cards was created to introduce children to cup stacking. There are other sets available here on my blog and on my TPT shop that share more elaborate cup stacks.

The ideas was that the Spider Cup Stacking Challenge Cards could be given to the students with a stack of ten to twelve cups. After they have completed the stacks on the cards, they could come up with larger and complicated stacks.

While this set of cards feature a small spider, they don’t have totally Halloween theme. You could use them while studying insects or the outdoors rather than at Halloween if you like.

Getting the Spider Cup Stacking Cards

First, you will need to download the set.

Spider Cup Stacking STEM Challenge Cards Download

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The set is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you will need to go to your download file and open the page. You may be asked if you want the file to open right after you download it. If you are, you won’t have to hunt for it in your download file.

Finally, when you open the cards you will open the cards and decide which ones you want to print.

Getting the Cards Ready to Use

If you plan on using the cards over and over again, you may want to laminate them. Below I have suggested products that you may want to use to cover them.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Amazon Picks

Scotch Brand PRO Thermal Laminator, Never Jam…$54.68~~$128.93~~ (11154)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 100 Count-P…$15.98~~$24.68~~ (63556)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200- Count-…$27.99~~$42.99~~ (23612)

Hammermill Printer Paper, Great White 100% Recy…$17.00 (4917)

Explaining the Cups on the Cards

While most children will look at the upside-down cup and know it means the cup is upside down, others may be confused. The upside-down cup is narrow. Its body is wide. There may be children that think that means the narrow cup base goes on the bottom. Please take a moment to explain this to them.

If they end up building structures that are the opposite of the card, you can decide if you want to correct them. It may be important to you that you build it just like the card. It may be important that they just practice cup stacking.

More Sets of Cup Stacking STEM Challenge Cards

Ghostly Cup Stacking Challenge Cards

Fire Hydrant Stacking STEM Challenge Cards (These are for sale on my TPT shop.)

Halloween Pattern Block Mats- Primary

October 1, 2023 By Deirdre

Halloween Pattern Block Mats are fun to explore with children. They allow children to slide, rotate, and flip shapes to get them to fit the patterns. Thinking through what they need to do to each shape is a great brain exercise.

Reviewing the Shapes

Before giving the mats and pattern blocks to your children, you will want to review each of the shapes displayed. The following shapes are on one or all of the mats.

Blue Parallelogram- This shape has four sides and four corners. The opposite sides of the shape are parallel.

Orange Square- A square has four sides that are the same length. It also has four corners that are the same.

Green Triangle- Triangles have three sides. They may not be the same length. The mats feature triangles that have sides that are all the same.

Yellow Hexagon- A hexagon has six sides. The hexagons on the mats have all the same length sides. They also have six corners or vertices.

Red Trapezoids– A trapezoid has four sides. Two of the sides are parallel to each other.

Tan Rhombuses- A rhombus has four sides. The opposite sides are parallel to each other. The opposite corners or vertices are the same.

Getting the Halloween Pattern Block Mats

First, you will need to download the set.

Halloween Pattern Block Mats- Primary Version Download

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The set is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you must go to your download file and open the page. You may be asked if you want the file to open right after downloading it. You won’t have to hunt for it in your download file if you are.

Getting the Halloween Pattern Block Mats Ready

If you plan on using the mats over and over again, you may want to laminate them. Below I have suggested products that you may want to use to cover them.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Amazon Picks

Scotch Brand PRO Thermal Laminator, Never Jam…$54.68~~$128.93~~ (11154)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 100 Count-P…$15.98~~$24.68~~ (63556)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200- Count-…$27.99~~$42.99~~ (23612)

Hammermill Printer Paper, Great White 100% Recy…$17.00 (4917)

More Pattern Block Activities

Building Cards with a Magic Theme

Woodland Animal Pattern Block Building Mats

Pattern Block Fish Shapes (TPT)

Halloween Building Activities

September 30, 2023 By Deirdre

This mini series features three Halloween building activities. The first activity focuses on building shapes with pattern blocks. The second activity features cup stacking challenge cards. The cups displayed have spiders crawling on them. The third and last building of the Halloween building activities asks children to build shapes with everyday items. Ghostly shapes can be found on each mat.

Each of the Halloween building activities in the series is free. Other Halloween activities mentioned in each activities post. Some of those activities are available for sale on my TPT shop. Free activities posted in the past on the blog will also be shared.

Halloween Building Activities

Two versions of each of the eight Halloween Pattern Block mats are available in the set. Both version feature outlines of each Halloween object. The first version displays each of the blocks in their actual color in the object. You will find that the second version features all the blocks as white. Children will have won’t have hint as to what color they need to look for on those mats. All of the mats display each of the block in color along with how many of each block they will need at the bottom of the mat.

The spider themed cup stacking cards feature simple stacks. More complicated stacking challenge cards on available both here and on my TPT shop. This set is a great way to introduce children to cup stacking. After exploring these challenges, children may want to create more elaborate stacks.

Ghostly Shape Building Mats are a fun way to learn about and explore shapes. Children can use everyday items you have a home to create each shape. After building a shape, the number of corners and sides each shape has could be shared.

The set includes two version of each shape. The first version is in full color. The second is B/W. The B/W version looks great when printed on color paper.

More Halloween Activities

Roll and Cover Big Green Monster Activity

STEM Challenge Task Cards for Halloween

Cat Shape Coloring Pages

Alphabet Building Challenge Cards-Pasta Themed

September 19, 2023 By Deirdre

This set of alphabet building challenge cards has a pasta theme. They could be used to celebrate Pasta Day on October 17th or any time of the year really. Each letter card is a half sheet tall. That will give your children plenty of space to trace each letter with everyday objects. You will find a list of possible building materials below.

Getting the Alphabet Building Challenge Cards

First, you download the set.

Pasta Noodle Alphabet Building Challenge Cards Download

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader please download it. The set is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, go to your download file and open the set.

Getting the Cards Ready to Use

If you plan on using the cards over and over again, you may want to laminate them. Below I have suggested products that you may want to use to cover them.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Amazon Picks

Scotch Brand PRO Thermal Laminator, Never Jam…$54.68~~$128.93~~ (11154)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 100 Count-P…$15.98~~$24.68~~ (63556)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200- Count-…$27.99~~$42.99~~ (23612)

Hammermill Printer Paper, Great White 100% Recy…$17.00 (4917)

Building Material Suggestions

Playdough
Pipe Cleaners
Wood Paddles for Ice cream Cups
Craft Sticks
Small Buttons
Small Twigs
Wikki Stick
Small Pebbles
Glass Pebbles
LEGO
Straw Sections
Pattern Blocks
Building Blocks
Bristle Blocks
Paperclips
Bottle Caps
Dice

Exploring the Shape-Building Cards

While the original idea was to use the cards in a STEM building center or Maker’s Space, you can use them anywhere you want and however, you want. Although with younger children it may be better to work one on one with them to give them guidance on how each shape is created. They may also need help with castle and tower building.

More Building Activities

Seed Packet Shape Building Mats

STEM Challenge- Build an Earth Shape

Farm STEM Challenge- Building Shape Fences

Books About Pasta

The links below are affiliate links.

Spaghetti Teddy is a book about a boy is a little bit nervous about school. You will love its pasta theme.

This book is about a special grandmother with a special pasta pot. Stregna Nona is also about needing to following directions and listen to your grandmother.

October 2023 STEAM Activities Calendar

September 19, 2023 By Deirdre

October is filled to the brim with fun holidays to celebrate. The October 2023 STEAM Activity Calendar celebrates a number of them. You will find a few activities that are not holiday related on the calendar. They will fun to explore too.

Getting October 2023 STEAM Activity Calendar

First, you will need to download the calendar.

October 2023 STEAM Activities Calendar Download

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The calendar is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Finally, when you open the calendar you will find hyperlinked activities. When you click on them, you will be taken to each of the activity’s locations on the web.

Here are the October Holidays Celebrated

October 1st
Frugal Fun Day
October 2nd
World Farm Animals Day
October 3rd
World Architecture Day
October 4th
World Habitat Day
October 5th
Astronomy Day
October 6th
National Noodle Day
October 7th
Kids Music Day
October 8th
I Love Yarn Day
October 9th
Fire Prevention Day
October 12th
National Farmers Day
October 13th
International Top Spinning Day
October 14th
World Egg Day
October 15th
Global Handwashing Day
October 16th
World Allergy Awareness Day
October 17th
National Pasta Day
October 19th
World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day
October 21st
National Apple Day
October 26th
National Pumpkin Day
October 27th
Tell a Story Day
October 28th
Plush Animal Lover’s Day
October 29th
National Frankenstein Day
October 31st
Halloween

Exploring the October 2023 STEAM Activity Calendar

You will be able to access the directions needed to explore each activity when you click on each of the October hyperlinks. After you get to each activity’s blog post, you will find a supply list and step-by-step activity directions.

Many of the activities offer free worksheets or recording sheets. You can use what they have for you to download or create your own versions of the activities if you like. The idea is to inspire you to explore STEAM activities with your children. You know what they can handle and how they like to explore concepts and activities.

A variety of different types of STEAM activities have been included on the calendar. You may find that some are more appropriate for older children while others are great for children of all ages. I think that some of them could be done with a partner or parent. However, some of you may have children that want to complete them on their own.

More October Activities

Halloween STEM Challenge Mats

Halloween Words on Algorithm Game Boards

Ghostly Cup Stacking STEM Challenge

September STEAM Activity Calendar 2023

August 28, 2023 By Deirdre

The September Activity Calendar for 2023 features a variety of fun September holidays. It will be fun to explore the selected holidays and the STEAM-related activities that go with them. While you can celebrate each, you can focus on one or two a week.

Here is the September STEAM Activity Calendar 2023

What fun you will have exploring the activities and challenges selected for this month’s calendar!

World Letter Writing Day -September 1st
Spaulding Baseball Day -September 2nd
Skyscraper Day -September 3rd
National Pet Rock Day -September 4th
National Cheese Pizza Day- September 5th
Great Egg Toss Day -September 6th
Grandma Moses Birthday -September 7th
Star Trek Day -September 8th
Teddy Bear Day -September 9th
Swap Ideas Day -September 10th
National Programmers Day -September 11th
National Day of Encouragement -September 12th
Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day -September 13th
National Coloring Day -September 14th
Make a Hat Day- September 15th
National Pay-doh Day -September 16th
Pet Bird Day- September 17th
U.S. Air Force Day -September 18th
International Talk Like a Pirate Day -September 19th
National Fried Rice Day -September 20th
Miniature Golf Day -September 21st
First Day of Fall -September 22nd
National Blue Bird of Happiness Day -September 24th
International Rabbit Day -September 25th
Johnny Appleseed Day -September 26th
National Family Day -September 27th
Read a Child a Book Day -September 28th
Inventors Day- September 29th
National Chewing Gum Day -September 30th

Downloading the September STEAM Activity Calendar 2023

The calendar is a PDF. Once you have downloaded, the set you will need to open it with a PDF reader like Acrobat Reader.

September STEAM Activity Calendar 2023 Download

Exploring the Activity Calendar

You will be able to access the directions needed to explore each activity when you click on each of the September hyperlinks. After you get to each activity’s blog post, you will find a supply list and step-by-step activity directions.

More Fall Activities

Jumping Apple Seeds

Exploring the Density of Apple Parts

Fairy Tale Castle and Tower Shape Building Cards

July 16, 2023 By Deirdre

There are 24 cards in the set of fairy tale castle and tower shape building cards. They can use them with the blank shape fairy tale castle mat or free build. The blank shape fairy tale mat does not have a shape assigned to the windows and door. Free building as a chosen card suggests will take a little more building. First, children will have to create a flat or standing castle or tower. Then the windows and doors will need to be created. You can decide for your children or ask them which way they want to build. However, younger children may find it a challenge to build a castle or tower on their own.

Getting the Shape Castle Building Mats

First, you download the set.

Fairy-Tale-Unicorn-Shape-Building-Cards Download

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader please download it. The set is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, go to your download file and open the set.

Getting the Cards Ready to Use

If you plan on using the cards over and over again, you may want to laminate them. Below I have suggested products that you may want to use to cover them.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Amazon Picks