Grade School Archives - Page 3 of 27

Pi Day Coloring Pages

March 12, 2021 By Deirdre

Pi Day coloring pages can be explored on March 14th to celebrate Pi Day! They could also be explored when you are introducing your children to pi. This set of Pi Day coloring pages contains two different designs. The first design features the pi symbol, circles and some of the numbers in pi. The second design features all of the elements of the first page and lines have been added that appear to cut the circle into pie slices. Your children will have fun color one or both of these pages. After downloading the set, you can decide which one you want them to do.

What is Pi Day?

Pi Day is the celebration of the first three numbers in pi. They are 3.14. It is celebrated on March 14th. Pi has a long string on never ending numbers that come after the four.
Pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. People celebrate this special number and the symbol that represents it in a number of ways.

Other Ways to Celebrate Pi Day

First, people love to make and eat pie on Pi Day. They may have a pizza pie or a fruit pie or both.
Second, crafts that feature circles are created.
Third, students try to write as many Pi numbers as they can in three minutes and fourteen seconds.
Fourth, children explore the diameter and circumference of circular objects.
Fifth, coloring pages that feature pi and circles are colored.

Building Background

Your children may need you to read them some books about circles and/or pi before you have them work on the Pi Day coloring pages. After reading the book or books, they will have a better understanding of pi.

The links below are affiliate links.

Downloading the Coloring Pages

Pi Day Coloring Pages has been saved as a PDF. After downloading it, you will need to open it with a PDF reader. Many people like and use Acrobat Reader.

Exploring the Pi Day Coloring Pages

The Pi Day coloring pages can be explored in a number of ways. Below you will find a list of some of the ways you can have your children work on the pages.

First, you can have your children explore the pages to just let them color the pages. Before they start coloring, you may want to talk to them about the numbers, the Pi sign and the circles on the page.

Second, children color all of the circles that are the same size the same color.

Third, you can have your children color each section of the coloring page with slices a different color.

If you like these printables, here are some more you will like:

Gross Motor Egg Carton Algorithm Activities

Drawing a Cat with a Looping Algorithm

How to Draw a Leprechaun with an Algorithm

Gross Motor Building Egg Carton Algorithm Activities

March 8, 2021 By Deirdre

This coding and gross motor activity set could be explore in the days leading up to Easter or during a farming unit or any time you like. There is a set of colored action eggs and a set of plain white eggs in the set. It will fun to see how they chose to perform each of the actions. A number of them can be demostrated in a variety of ways.

After creating one set of gross motor activities, it will be fun to build another. It will fun to see how many different algorithms you can build.

What is an algorithm?

An algorithm is a series of steps needed to complete a task. Computers follow algorithms step by step complete the actions and tasks we ask them to do. We can follow an algorithm too.

Downloading the Egg Carton Set

Building Egg Carton Algorithms set has been saved as a PDF. After downloading it, you will need to open it with a PDF reader. Many people like and use Acrobat Reader.

Getting the Gross Motor Egg Carton Algorithm Activities Ready

- - First, you will need to select the carton you wish your children to use.
  - Second, you will need to select the eggs you want your children to use.
  - Third, you will print out the carton and eggs you have selected.
  - Finally, you will need to laminate the carton and the individual eggs. This will allow you to use them over and over again.

Exploring the Algorithm Activities

Your children will need to cover each of the eggs in the bottom row with an action egg.
Then they will write the number of the times they will do each action on the egg right behind it in washable marker
Next, they will demonstrate their algorithm by doing the actions from left to right the number of times they said they would.
Once they have completed their algorithm, they can erase the numbers with a wet paper towel and remove the action eggs.
They are then ready to build a new algorithm.

If you like this coding activity, here are more you will love:

Three Pigs Blockly Block Worksheet

Magical Creatures STEM Coding Algorithm Drawing Activity

Drawing a Cat with a Looping Algorithm

How to Draw a Leprechaun with an Algorithm

Community Helper Roll and Cover Two Dice Mats

March 3, 2021 By Deirdre

The hats of several community helpers are featured on these two dice community helper roll and cover mats. The set was created to go along with the Cat in the Hat Math Mats I made! There is also a set of three dice mats that featured the same community helper hats. They could be used when you are studying community helpers or while learning about a particular community helper.

Getting the Community Helper Set

The Community Helper Roll and Cover Math 2 Dice mats set has been saved as a PDF. After downloading it, you will need to open it with a PDF reader. Many people like and use Acrobat Reader.

What is in the set?

The set includes a black and white version and colored version of each of the following mats:

Fire Hat
Construction Hat
Police Person’s Hat

If you are going to print out the mats and use them in a center, you may want to laminate them. Laminating or cover the mats with contact paper will allow them to last longer.

Getting Ready to Use the Mats

Once you have the mats ready to use, you will need to gather a number of dice. Each person or group using a mat will need three of them.

Next, you will need to gather objects that can be used to cover the numbers on the mat or items that will color over the numbers . The following objects make great covers:

Buttons
Pom-Poms
Dried Beans
Plastic Counters or Disks
Small Pebbles or Stones
Small Plastic lids or caps
Bingo Markers
Circle Stamps and a Ink Pad

Finally, you will need small cups, bowls or boxes to hold the counters.

Exploring the Community Helper Two Dice Mats

Children can work on the mats on their own or with a partner. If they work with a partner, the partner can check their adding. They can confirm that the numbers on the two dice really do add up to the number they are going to cover.

If your children are going to work on their own, you may want them to write down their math equations or count them out with some of the counters. While some children are great at adding three numbers in their head, it can’t hurt to have them check their work.

Building Background

If you are this activity is part of a unit on community helpers, you may want to read a book about community helpers to your children.

The links below are affiliate links.

Here are some more printable math activities:

$Learning Activities with Dr Seuss Characters$

Cat in the Hat Math Mat Activities

Community Helper Roll and Cover 3 Dice Mats

March 3, 2021 By Deirdre

This set of 3 dice roll and cover mats has a community helper theme. So many people have love the Cat in the Hat Math Mats I made! I thought you would enjoy another set of math hat mats. You could pull these out while you are studying community helpers or while learning about a particular community helper.

Getting the Community Helper Set

The Community Helper Roll and Cover 3 Dice Math Mats set has been saved as a PDF. After downloading it, you will need to open it with a PDF reader. Many people like and use Acrobat Reader.

What is in the set?

The set includes a black and white version and colored version of each of the following mats:

Fire Hat
Construction Hat
Police Person’s Hat

If you are going to print out the mats and use them in a center, you may want to laminate them. Laminating or cover the mats with contact paper will allow them to last longer.

Getting Ready to Use the Mats

Once you have the mats ready to use, you will need to gather a number of dice. Each person or group using a mat will need three of them.

Next, you will need to gather objects that can be used to cover the numbers on the mat. The following objects make great covers:

Buttons
Pom-Poms
Dried Beans
Plastic Counters or Disks
Small Pebbles or Stones
Small Plastic lids or caps

Finally, you will need small cups, bowls or boxes to hold the counters.

Exploring the Community Helper Three Dice Mats

Children can work on the mats on their own or with a partner. If they work with a partner, the partner can check their adding. They can confirm that the numbers on the three dice really do add up to the number they are going to cover.

Building Background

If you are this activity is part of a unit on community helpers, you may want to read a book about community helpers to your children.

The links below are affiliate links.

Here are some more printable math activities:

$Learning Activities with Dr Seuss Characters$

Cat in the Hat Math Mat Activities

$Kindergarten Worksheets- Gold Coin Math Mats$

Gold Coin Counting

Easter Egg Game- Muffin Tin and Egg Number Match

March 2021 STEAM Activity Calendar

February 22, 2021 By Deirdre

What fun it will be to explore the winter-themed STEAM activities feature on this March STEAM calendar. Along with winter-themed activities, you will also find explorations and experiments that explore March holidays. While some of the March STEAM activities come from right here on JDaniel4’s Mom, there are a number of activities that come from some of favorite blogs.

The March holidays on the calendar are:

2nd- Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
6th- Oreo Cookie Day
12th- Plant a Flower Day
14th- Pi Day
17th- St. Patrick’s Day
19th- Poultry Day
20th- First Day of Spring
21st- World Poetry Day
22nd- World Water Day
26th- Purple Day
30th- Pencil Day

Building Background Before Starting an Activity

Books That Celebrate March Holidays

The links shared below are affiliate links.

Downloading the Calendar

The March 2021 STEAM Activity Calendar is a PDF. Once you have downloaded, the set you will need to open it with a PDF reader like Acrobat Reader.

Exploring the March STEAM Activity Calendar

You will be able to access the directions needed to explore each activity when you click on each of the March hyperlinks. After you get to each activity’s blog post, you will find a supply list and step-by-step activity directions. Some of the activities offer free printables or recording sheets. You can use what they have for you to download or create your own versions of the activities if you like. Remember the idea was 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.

Coordinate Map Activity- Leprechaun’s Hiding Places

February 20, 2021 By Deirdre

Leprechauns need to change the hiding spot of their pot of gold often. There always seems to be someone trying to find it. This fun set called Leprechaun’s Hiding Places- Coordinate Maps Activity invites children to record the locations of various hiding spots a leprechaun could use.

Coordinate Map Activity Set

There are several versions of this activity that you can have your children use. Let me tell you a little about them.

Black and White Version Locate the Coordinates

This page invites children to find the location of each hiding place. Then they will record it on the chart. If you want to print this out and have each child work on this on their own, this would be a great sheet for them to do.

Color Version of Locate the Coordinates

Once again, your children will be invited to find the location of teach hiding place. After finding them, they will record their coordinates on the chart. After printing out the color set, you will want to laminate it so your children can use it over and over again in a center.

You Draw the Hiding Places on the Map

The chart on the worksheet displays the pictures and the descriptions of the objects that need to be on the map. Children will draw a picture for each hiding place on the map. Then write the coordinates for each of your pictures beside its picture and description below. They can place them anywhere they would like on the map. You may want to encourage them to draw small pictures. That will allow them to have one specific set of picture location coordinates to record on the chart.

Create Your Own Map

Finally, your children can create their own pictures and map. You will want them to record their pictures of the objects they want on their map on the chart. Then children can record a description of what that object is. Next, they will draw pictures of their objects on the map. Finally, they will record the location of their object on the map. You may want to encourage them to draw small pictures. That will allow them to have one specific set of picture location coordinates to record on the chart.

Getting the Coordinate Map Activity Set

You will need to download your copy of Leprechaun’s Hiding Places – Coordinate Map Activity to your computer. It is a PDF. You will need to have a PDF reader to open the set. I use Acrobat Reader.

Building Background on Mapping Skills

The books below feature mapping and map skills.

The links below are affiliate links

Ways to Explore Each Coordinate Map Activity

On Their Own
In a Center
With a Partner
As a Whole Class

More Mapping Activities

Valentine’s Day Quilting Activity

Frog Pond Mapping Activity

How to Draw a Leprechaun with an Algorithm

February 18, 2021 By Deirdre

Children can learn how to draw a leprechaun by following the steps on these Blockly block- themed pages. The set has three different versions of the How to Draw a Leprechaun page. The first features the steps in pictures. The second displays words and pictures. The final page features the steps in only words.

Deciding Which How to Draw a Leprechaun Page to Use

You can choose which of the pages will be best for your children. Below you will some reasons one page may be better for some children than others.

The Picture Only Page

Children do not need to be able to read to complete this page.
The picture is a little bigger. It is easier to see the picture’s details.
Children will need to look carefully at each picture to see what has been added.

The Picture and the Words Page

What is added to each picture is described by the words.
Children can read the words and focus on that aspect so they can copy it.

The Words Only Page

Your children will create a leprechaun that will be of their own unique design. They will not be copying someone else’s.
It will allow you to see if they were able to read and follow the directions.

Why Are Blockly Blocks Used to Display the Steps

There are a number of online coding programs that use Blockly Blocks to introduce children to coding. The blocks are used to build an algorithm or series of steps needed to complete a task. Learning how to build the steps offline gives children the opportunity to see how they work. It also helps them build an understanding of what different types of Blockly Blocks mean. You will find that this set features only standard function blocks. (I do have directed drawing pages that feature loop blocks.)

Building Background Through Reading

Reading children’s books is a great way to help children build background knowledge on a subject. The books below will help them learn more about leprechauns.

The links below are affiliate links.

Getting the How to Draw a Leprechaun Set

You can download theHow to Draw a Leprechaun with an Algorithm set and open it with Acrobat Reader. The set is a PDF and requires a program like Acrobat Reader to open it up. There are three versions of the worksheet. You can decide which is best for your children. I have also included a copy of each page with a finished leprechaun displayed in the drawing space.

Here are some more coding activities you may want to try:

Offline Printable Coding Games

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Drawing a Cat with a Looping Algorithm

Space-Themed Shadow Puppet Templates

February 9, 2021 By Deirdre

Kids will have fun exploring the world of shadows with this set of Space-themed shadow puppet templates. They can be used to explore shadows inside the house like the puppets in my Space Shadow Puppet post. They can be explored outside your house too.

Effects of Light on Shadow Puppets

Where the Shadow is Seen

When the sun is in front of you, the shadow forms behind you.

If the sun is to your left, then the shadow forms to your right.

If the sun is to your right, then the shadow forms to your left.

The Size of the Shadow

Here are some facts from Science Learn.

When the Sun is low on the horizon, the shadows are long.

The shadows are much shorter when the Sun is high in the sky.

Exploring Shadows with Puppets

You will want to explore both shadow size and placement with your children. We used the sun with driveway as the backdrop. You can do the same or work inside with a flashlight and a light colored surface.

Learning More About Shadows

Below you will find several books that talk about shadows.

The links below are affiliate links.

Getting the Shadow Puppet Templates

You will need to download the Space Shadow Puppet Templates to your computer. Then you will need to open the set with a PDF reader. Acrobat Reader is a popular PDF reader. You may already have it on your computer.

If you print the puppets out of cardstock, they will be a little bit sturdier.

Getting the Shadow Puppets Ready to Explore

If you are working with older children, they can probably cut out the puppets on their own. Young children will need to have the puppets cut out for them.

Once the puppets are cut out, they will need to be taped or glued to a straw or stick. If you use a bendy straw, you will have tons of ways for the puppet to be displayed.

Here are some more sun related activities to do with kids:

Shadow Games- Building Block Numbers

LEGO Groundhog Shadow Experiment

Read.Explore.Learn.- Boris and the Wrong Shadow

Valentine’s Day Drawing a Robot with an Algorithm

February 8, 2021 By Deirdre

This set of Valentine’s Day drawing pages contains three versions of a page that invites children to draw a robot. The robot has a Valentine’s Day-theme. You can decide which of the pages is right for your children.

The versions are the following:

Pictures without Words on Blockly Blocks
Pictures and Words on Blockly Blocks
Words without Pictures on Blockly Blocks

What are Blockly Blocks?

They are part of a visual coding language created by Google. Each block features a command or step that needs to be followed to complete the task or in this case a drawing.

Getting the Valentine’s Day Drawing Pages

You can download the How to Draw a Valentine’s Day Robot with an Algorithm onto your computer. You will need to have a PDF reader on your computer to open the set. Acrobat Reader is the one I use.

Before Start the Algorithm Activity

Reading your children, a Valentine’s Day-themed book before starting the activity would be fun. Below you will find some of my favorite Valentine’s Day book.

The links below are affiliate links.

Exploring the Valentine’s Day Drawing Pages

You can have your children work step by step through the algorithm or steps on their own, with a partner or with the class.
The key to creating the robot is to work through one step at a time. Before you have them start drawing, you will want to make sure they understand what they are being asked to draw in each step.
Children may want to erase or debug their picture if they don’t like what they have drawn. Working on the drawing with a pencil will allow them to easily erase.
You may want to have a picture of the finished robot up for your children to see. It might help them visualize what the finished robot should look like. If you think it will keep them from making their own unique robot, you don’t have to show them a finished picture.

Here are some more algorithm drawing activities:

Drawing a Christmas Tree Based on an Algorithm

Thanksgiving Coloring Pages and Algorithm Activity

Magical Creature STEM Algorithm Drawing Activity

Rock Your School- Secret Code Teacher Note

January 24, 2021 By Deirdre

Rock Your School Week is a time in to celebrate your school, teachers and students at the being of February. Recently an emoji decoder wheel was shared on this blog. Today a Rock Your School teacher note set is being shared. Your children will use the decoder wheel to create secret emoji codes for the teacher notes.

Rock Your School Teacher Note Set

Rock Your School Teacher Note Set includes the following:

Primary Teacher Note
Upper Grade Teacher Note
Kindness Word Chart
Emoji Alphabet Chart

How to Code the Teacher Cards

Both versions of the teacher card feature the following:

Teacher Name Line
Opening sentence
Circle Group(s) for the Emoji Secret Code
Student Name Line
Emoji Decoder Wheel Graphic

Creating the Codes

Children will need to decide on a word or word that they want to use to describe their teacher. (The primary card has one set of word circles. The upper grade card has two set of circles.) One of the word or words on the Kindness Word chart can be used or the children can come up with one of their own.

Next, the children will need to figure out which emoji will match the letters in the word or words they selected.

Then they will draw the faces that match each of the letters in the circles on the note in the order they appear each word. They will start drawing the first letters emoji in the first circle in the group. If the choose a long word, they will fill in the all or most of the circles with an emoji. If they choose a short word, there will be extra circles without emojis.