Grade School Archives - Page 4 of 27

Feeling Emoji Decoder Wheel

January 14, 2021 By Deirdre

This decoder wheel features feelings emojis. The decoder wheel can be used to create secret code. Whether the codes your children create are about feelings is up to you. Your children could really create codes about anything you like. The nice thing about feeling emojis is that they are easy for your children to draw.

Before You Start This Activity

You may want to go through what feeling each of the emojis display with your children. You will find a feelings chart in the downloadable set. If you want your children to come up with what think each picture displays, you may want to have them share their ideas with class. The feelings emoji set includes are chart that displays the emojis without the feeling words. However, your children can do this activity without defining the feelings if you like.

Building Background

If you are going to use the decoder as part of a unit on feelings, you may want to read your children a book about feelings. Below you will find several wonderful books about feelings.

The links below are affiliate links.

Getting the Feelings Emoji Decoder Wheel Set

You can download the Feelings Emoji Decoder Wheel set to your computer. Then you will need to open the set with a PDF reader. Once you have opened the set, you can decide what parts of the set you want to use.

The set contains:

Feelings Emoji Wheel
Alphabet Wheel
Chart Displaying Emoji and Feelings
Emoji Chart without Feelings
Decode the Feelings Worksheet (The worksheet invites children to use a student-built decoder wheel.)
Answer Key for the Decode the Feeling Worksheet
Decode the Feeling Worksheet Two (The worksheet invites children to use the wheel on the worksheet.)

Building the Decoder Wheel

Each of you children will need a brass fastener, an emoji feeling wheel, and an alphabet wheel. You can have your children cut out the wheels or you can cut them out for them.

Both wheels will need a small slit cut into them so you can put the fastener through them. Children will have a clean decoder wheel this way. (Trying to pierce the holes with pencils could lead to a lot of tearing.)

After you put the decoder together, you will need to make sure that the letters line up under the emojis before flatten out the brad. The alphabet wheel may need to be slid a little to the left, right, up or down to get the lines to line up.

Exploring the DecoderWheel

You can have your children work through one of the Decode the Feelings worksheets before they create a code on their own if you like. Children can start right on creating codes if you like.

The key to creating a code that others can break is having them know which emoji goes with which letter. I suggest having them mark the emoji that needs to be above the A with a star. Another idea if for them to color in the emoji face that needs to be above the A.

Then they will need to draw the face that represents each letter in their secret code. The faces will need to be big enough for the students to distinguish what emoji has been draw.
The students doing the decoding will need to know what emoji they need to place above the A on their decoder. That way they will know what emoji go with what letters in the code. Another option is to use the code creator decoder with the star on it.

Here are some more coding activities:

Pool Noodle Ideas- Building Binary Codes

Magical Creatures STEM Coding Algorithm Drawing Activity

January STEAM Activity Calendar 2021

December 29, 2020 By Deirdre

After so many of you enjoyed the December 2020 STEAM calendar, I created a January 2021 STEAM Calendar. This calendar features a number of snow-themed STEAM activities. The calendar also contains activities and experiments that focus on January holidays. Some of the STEAM activities are from right here on JDaniel4’s Mom. Others come from some of my favorite websites and blogs. While the activities on the calendar appear on a specific day, you can explore them on any day you would like to.

Building Background Before Starting an Activity

Books with a Snow-Theme

Links below are affliate links.

You may want to read your children a book related to the STEAM activities you choose to do. Below you will find some wonderful books that would go along with STEAM activities.

Books That Celebrate January Holidays

Getting the January STEAM Activity Calendar

The January STEAM Activities Calendar 2021 is a PDF. Once you have downloaded the calendar, you will need a PDF reader to open it. (I use the application Acrobat Reader.)

Exploring the January STEAM Activity Calendar

You will be able to access the directions needed to explore each activity when you click on each day’s hyperlink. After you get to each activity’s blog post, you will find a supply list and the 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.

More STEAM Activities

STEAM activities are so much fun. They are a great way for children explore and learn so many math, science, engineering, art and technology concepts. After exploring the activities on the calendar, I hope you will explore the activities below.

The Best Coin to Use in a Coin Spinner

Tin Foil Penny Challenge

Leap Frog Straw Challenge

Make a Paper Horse that Walks

12 Days of Christmas Gross Motor Activity

December 11, 2020 By Deirdre

At the end of my kindergarten and first grade classes I like to have my students to algorithm exercises. These 12 Days of Christmas gross motor activity cards have been a hit with my students this week. Most children love to come up with their own motions or actions for a picture. My students are among them.

Wait! What are algorithm exercises?

One of the subjects I teach is coding. My students learn that an algorithm is a series of steps. I share gross motor cards or exercise cards that we have to do in order. When we have complete the series of exercises we have completed the task. After sitting for a long time, it is great to get up and move.

Can I get a set of the 12 Days of Christmas cards?

You sure can! The 12 Days of Christmas Gross Motor Activity Cards are free for you to download. Once you have downloaded the card set, you can open them with a PDF reader.

Two Layouts Available

After you have downloaded the set, you need to decide which layout you want to use. There are cards that feature a single object or picture. The second option is cards that feature object or cards that match the number on the card.

You can decide which cards you want to use. I wanted you to have an option rather than just giving you one type of card.

How Can You Use Them?

- You can ask your children to come up with a move or action one card at a time. They can each come up with their own action or you can brainstorm possible actions with them.
- Then you can have them repeat the action the previous card or cards and the new action on each new card.
- Once they have an action for each card, you can have then run through all of their actions.

Building Background

Before starting this activity, you may want to read your children a book based on the 12 Days of Christmas. Below you will find picture book that feature the 12 Days.

Links below are affliate links.

After exploring these cards, you may want to do one of the Christmas activities below.

Reindeer Straw Rockets

Jingle Bell Hop Activity

Hour of Code- Coding Choice Boards

December 1, 2020 By Deirdre

This set of coding choice boards was created for children to explore coding virtually through e-learning and at school. These choice boards would be great to use during the Hour of Code. Actually, the boards could really be used all year long.

Hour of Code Activities on the Boards

Why Start with Blockly Blocks

All of the activities featured on the boards use Blockly blocks to code. Blockly blocks are easy for children to use. (That is my opinion.) When they are learning to code, blocks are easy to manipulate and understand. After children have learned to code with blocks, it is easy to transition to words and symbols.

Why Hour of Code Activities

Easy to Use

The sites featured on the choice boards offer a number of coding activities. Some of the activities on those sites require a teacher or parent to set up a login and a password. I have chosen to feature activities that do not require a user name or password. They were designed to be used during the Hour of Code the first week in December.

Free to Use

After exploring the activities on a particular site, you may want to buy a coding membership if they offer one. However, the activities on the choice boards are free!

About an Hour to Use

Children who have coded before will have no trouble finishing these activities in an hour. If your children haven’t coded before, it may take them a little longer to complete an activity.

Why Use a Choice Board

I used to have all my students work through an Hour of Code Activity with me. The students loved exploring Dance Party and the Minecraft Hour of Code activities on Code.org with me.

This year I have some students e-learning while others are temporarily quarantining. Some have been in class since August while others have just returned. A choice board gives me the opportunity to give my student activities of various levels of difficulty. It gives my children the option of choosing something different from their peers. No one will be assigned to a high, low, or middle group. They will all be choosing for themselves. If the activity they choose is too hard, they can switch to a different activity.

Here are the Choice Boards

When you click on the picture for each choice, you will be taken to that website.

Coding K-2 Choice Board for Kids

Coding 3-5 Choice Board for Kids

Offline Coding Activities

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Algorithm Page

Offline Coding Academy -Muffin Tin Algorithm

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Thankfulness Turkey Activity Set

November 18, 2020 By Deirdre

When my son was little we made a gratitude turkey with construction paper, a basket, and some clothes pins. That activity inspired this thankfulness turkey set. With this set, your children can explore various things they can be thankful for as they add feathers to a turkey. The set includes a turkey head, blank turkey feathers, labeled turkey feathers, and a page of areas you can be thankful for.

Getting Started with the Thankfulness Turkey Activity Set

Downloading the Set

You can download the Thankfulness Turkey Activity for Kids After that you will need to open it with a PDF reader. If you have Acrobat Reader available, it would be a good one to use.

Gathering the Supplies Needed for the Activity

You will need the following supplies for the thankfulness turkey activity.

The Thankfulness Turkey Activity for Kids
Clothespins
Glue
A Basket or Bowl

Getting the Basket or Bowl Ready

You will need to cut out the turkey head and attach it to a clothespin with glue. Then you will need to clip the turkey head to a small basket or bowl. Once the head is in place, you are ready to work on the feathers.

Deciding on the Feathers

You can use the feathers that already have areas to be thankful on them. The other choice is to have you or your children decide on areas they are thankful for. There is a page listing areas of thanks in the set. However, you can have your children come up with their own areas. Once you have come up with ten areas, you can write those areas on the blank feathers.

Getting the Thankfulness Turkey Feathers Ready

Before you start attaching the feathers to a basket or a bowl, you will need to glue them to clothes pins.

Attaching the Feathers to the Turkey

There are several ways you can have your children attach the feathers.

First, your children can attach each feather as they discuss why they are thankful for the word their feather displays.
Second, you can attach all the feathers and point to each feather as you discuss it.
Third, you can have your children pick the feathers they are most thankful for. They can then share why they are thankful for those areas.

Why Not Read About Thankfulness

After completing the thankfulness turkey activity, you may want to read a book about thankfulness or thanksgiving. Below you will find a collection of wonderful books that feature those themes.

The links below are affiliate links.

If you like this activity, here are some more Thanksgiving activities you will love.

Do Cranberries Sink or Float Thanksgiving Science Experiment

Cranberry Sink or Float Activity

Let's Make a Unicorn STEAM Turkey Disguise Project - Actually children can design a variety of disguises for a turkey. This printable set includes a turkey template, planning document and idea chart.

STEAM Disguise a Turkey Activity Set

Using Blockly Blocks to Color an All About Me Worksheet

July 24, 2020 By Deirdre

This All About Me worksheet was designed to use at the beginning of school. However, you could use it with your children whenever you like. The worksheet is part of a series of sneaker printables designed to go along with the book Pete the Cat: Rocking My School Shoes.

The directions for what your children need to write or draw on the shoes are displayed on Blockly Blocks. They will need to follow them to complete the algorithm or series of steps needed to complete the worksheet.

Wait! What are Blockly Blocks?

Blockly blocks are a visual drag and drop programming language. The blocks connect to form an algorithm or series of steps needed to complete a task. The command or step you need to complete is displayed on each block.

Getting the All About Me Worksheet Ready

Getting the Worksheet

Before you download a copy of the Offline Coding Academy – All About Me Sneakers you will need to make sure you have a PDF reader on your computer. This worksheet is a PDF document it will not open without a PDF reader on your computer.

Reading About Coding

This activity is based on a Pete the Cat book. While you will want to read that book to them, you may also want to read your children a book about coding. Below you will find some wonderful children’s books about coding.

The links below are affiliate links.

Working on the Worksheet

First, you will need to walk your children through the algorithm or directions of the Blockly Blocks. You will notice that almost all of the directions ask you to decorate or write on the side one shoe first.
Next, your children may need you to remind them to color the same number of shoelaces on both shoes. They can color the laces in any order or pattern they want to. If you would prefer for them to color from the top down or every other lace, you could have them do that.
Then they can work through the direction blocks on their own or with you. There are a number of words on each block. If after reading them once with your children they seem overwhelmed, you could read each step to them.
Finally, you can have your children share their shoes with you. They can share with your what they have written or drawn on the sides of the shoes. You can learn a lot while listening to your children share out loud.

Here are the other sneaker-themed worksheets in this series:

$Free Printable Sneaker-Themed Math Game Boards$

These free printable sneaker-themed game boards can be used to review a number of math skills. One of the game boards is editable. It can be used to work on any skills you need your children to review.

Next, there is an Offline Coding Academy – Algorithm Game Boards set. Your children can create a path or algorithm around the sneakers to get from the start to the end.

Finally, a great way to learn about binary numbers is to spell with them. This worksheet invites children to spell parts of a sneaker in binary code.

While it is not a part of this series, your children may want to color a cat mask. I created the mask to look like Pete the Cat. It is not a perfect match to the pictures of him in his books.

Free Printable Sneaker-Themed Math Game Boards

July 23, 2020 By Deirdre

$Free Printable Sneaker-Themed Math Game Boards$

Math Game Boards are a great way to review math concepts. This free set of printable sneak-themed math game board focuses on addition, subtraction, the number before along with the number after, and number recognition. The final game board in the set is editable. You can type in the numbers, words, or number sentences you want your children to work on.

Each game board has a sneaker in the corner. When one of your children rolls a number that would land them on the sneaker, they get to leap over the sneaker. Your children will love getting to jump over the corner square!

Getting the Sneaker-Themed Math Board Games Ready

The Sneaker Math Games for Early Learners are in a PDF format. You will need to have a PDF reader on your computer to open them.

Once you have open the set, you will want to print the games you want to work with onto card stock. It would be a good idea to laminate them. They will last longer that way.

If you want to work with the editable set, you can type in any number with up to five digits into each editable text box. Number facts or number words with up to seven letters can be typed into the boxes if you prefer.

Game Supplies

Any of the items listed below would be great game board action pieces.

The game board of your choice
One six-sided die
A game piece for each person. (A button, token, bottle cap, etc..)

Playing Sneaker-Themed Games

$Addition Sneaker Math Game Board$

The Addition Edition

Roll the die to find out how many spaces you get to move. Then add the number you land on to the number on the die.

$Subtraction Sneaker Math Game Board$

The Subtraction Edition

Roll the die to find out how many spaces you get to move. Then you will subtract the larger number (It could be the number on the die or space) from the smaller number.

$Number Recognition Math Game Board$

The Number Recognition Edition

Roll the die to find out how many spaces you get to move. Then show the number you land on with small objects like a button, straw, or pom-pom.

The Before and After Edition

Roll the die to find out how many spaces you get to move. Then tell the number that comes right before and after the number on the square you land on.

$Editable Sneaker Math Game Board$

Blank Editable Edition

You can type in any number with up to five digits into each editable text box. Number facts or number words with up to seven letters can be typed into the boxes if you prefer.

If you like this Pete the Cat inspired activity, here are a few more of them.

Offline Coding Academy- Sneaker Algorithm Game Boards

Binary Code for Kids- Spelling Sneaker Words

Cat Themed Mask Template Based on Pete the Cat

How to Draw a Cat with an Algorithm Using Looping

Offline Coding Academy – Sneaker Algorithm Game Boards

July 23, 2020 By Deirdre

These algorithm game boards are a great way for your children to explore algorithms and coding. They are a part of a Back to School series of coding activities that feature sneakers. Why sneakers? Pete the Cat loves his sneakers. Many children get new sneakers to start the school year. I thought that made sneakers a great back to school theme.

I have created a couple of these game boards to use offline with children. So far there is a one with penguin theme and one with sharks. Once you have checked them out, you may want to check other activities that are part of my Offline Coding Academy.

Getting the Algorithm Game Boards Ready

Before you can explore the algorithm game boards you will need to download them. The Sneaker Algorithm Game Boards set is a PDF. Therefore will need to have Acrobat Reader or another PDF reader on your computer to open it.

Next, you will need to decide which of the gameboards you want to have your children explore and print out.

Then you will need to decide if your children are going to draw their algorithm path with a pencil. (You will only be able to use the game board once if you choose this approach.) If you choose to print out the arrows that come with the set, you can use the game boards over and over again. (Laminate game boards will last a really long time.)

Exploring the Algorithm Game Boards

These sneaker game boards invite children to connect the beginning of the game board to the end. Arrows children place in the squares connecting the beginning to the end will create the algorithm

Sneakers have been placed in some of the blocks. The arrows children place in the blocks will need to point in the direction needed to leave the box and move to the next box that doesn’t contain a sneaker. While there is more than one way to complete each gameboard, some routes are more direct than others. When a coder is creating an algorithm, they try to use the fewest steps possible. Some children may try to find the shortest route with the fewest twists and turns. Some children will try to come up with the most creative route. It will be fun to see what your children choose to do.

Reading a Pete the Cat Book

If your children haven’t read Pete the Cat books before. You may want to read one of the books below to them.

The links below are affiliate links.

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

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Algorithm Page

Offline Coding Academy -Muffin Tin Algorithm

How to Make Liquid Starch Slime Algorithm

Binary Code for Kids- Spelling Sneaker Words

July 22, 2020 By Deirdre

Binary code can be challenging for kids to understand. This set of worksheets invites kids to spell various parts of a sneaker in binary code. While these worksheets were created to go with a Pete the Cat coding unit, they could be used to just explore binary code. If sneaker words aren’t what you want to explore, I have more sets available. There are currently sets that examine parts of a shark, patriotic words, and Valentine’s Day words.

Getting Ready for the Activity

First, Getting the Binary Code Set

Before you download the Binary Code for Kids – Spelling Sneaker Words, you will need to make sure you have a PDF reader. Acrobat reader is a popular PDF and is the one I use. Next, you will need to decide which of the words you want to explore with your children.

You may want to print out two different worksheets for each of your children. One you would do with your children. Then one they could do on their own.

Explaining Binary Code to Your Kids

It is the code used by a computer to understand letters, numbers, symbols, and commands. The code uses groups of 8 numbers to represent each letter, number, symbol, and command you type in on a keyboard. The only numbers that the computer can use to create the code are 0s and 1s.

Binary code can be confusing. Therefore, you may want to visit Teach Kids Binary in One Simple Step to get more information on how to teach it to your kids.

Exploring the Sneaker Words

First, you will want to explain what binary code is to your children. A simple explanation is shared above.
Then your children will need to look for the code for each letter in the chart at the bottom of the page.
Next, they will need to write each number for the code on one of the little lines after each letter.
After that, your children must fill in circles next to the number representing a one.
Finally, you will want them to check their work. It is really easy to color in the wrong circle or put a zero in one’s place.

If they have worked on this page with you, you may want them to work on another one on their own. They could also try and come up with another sneaker word. The code for their sneaker word could be written on a separate piece of paper or the back of the worksheet.

If you like this binary code activity, you will love these:

Pool Noodle Ideas- Building Binary Codes

Color By Binary Numbers Shark Coloring Pages

Binary Code Countdown Rockets

Rain Forest for Kids- Jaguar Mask Template

July 18, 2020 By Deirdre

Masks are fun to decorate and wear. This jaguar mask is part of a series of free masks available on my blog. After making the jaguar mask, you might want to have your children decorate the bear, raccoon, There Was An Old Lady, or the cow mask.

Before creating mask templates, I shared directions for creating paper plate masks. A jaguar mask was shared as an activity to do while studying the rain forest. While it was fun to create, this jaguar mask will probably be easier to create.

Reading a Book About Jaguars

Before you have your children create their masks, they might enjoy listening to you read a book about a jaguar. It will help your children learn about them. Once they have created their masks, you could read them a second book. Their masks could be worn while the book is read.

Links below are affiliate links.

Getting Ready to Decorate the Mask

Once you have downloaded the Jaguar Printable Mask,you will need to open it with a PDF reader. I used Acrobat Reader. Then you will need to print out the mask on sturdy paper. Heavy copy paper or cardstock would be the best.

You can have your children cut out the mask before or after they decorate it. If you plan on cutting out the mask for them, you may want them to decorate the mask after it is cut out. Then you can attach the way they will wear it and they can wear it right away.

Decorating the Mask

You can put out a variety of coloring tools for your children to use or choose just one. Below you will find a list of fun ways to color.

Magic Markers give the mask some texture. They also give you a brightly colored mask. The colors don’t fade much.
Crayons also give a mask texture. They aren’t messy and are easy to color over if you make a mistake. They don’t create bright vividly colored masks.
Color pencils give a mask a soft and fuzzy look. They aren’t messy!
Watercolors give the mask a sheer layer of color. They are messy and colors can run from one area of the mask to another. We used watercolors to paint this mask!

Wearing the Jaguar Mask

There are a number of ways you can wear the mask.

First, you can punch holes on either side of the mask. Then you can attach yarn to both of the holes. You can tie the two pieces of yarn in the back.
Second, you can attach a strip of cardstock to both sides of the mask. Your children can then slip the mask over their heads.
Third, you may have children that don’t want to wear the mask on their face. You can attach a wooden craft stick to the mask. Children can hold the mask over their faces.