Category Archives: Reading Enrichment

Language Arts Mini Spark #75-The Fijian myth of Dakuwaqa

Across the Pacific, myths and legends are passed down through oral tradition. The myth of Dakuwaqa is deeply rooted in Fijian culture and serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world, as well as the consequences of greed and disrespect for the environment.

Mini spark project choices

Write a simplified version of this myth for a younger audience.

Read about kids helping sharks.  Write about several of the projects and the kids behind the project.

Research sharks and create an information page about them.

Learn about other myth stories that involve sharks.  Take notes on the information from this article.

 

Language Arts Mini Spark #74-Adages and Proverbs

It is helpful to be able to recognize and understand adages and proverbs in the stories you are reading.

Like idioms, proverbs and adages can be used in conversation or in writing. They are also unique to a particular language. Unlike idioms, however, proverbs and adages generally have more literal meanings. Their meanings match more closely to the meaning of the individual words that make up the expression.

It is helpful to review some of the more common adages to help you better understand the meaning of the text. Look over this information

Proverb

  • Proverb is a short, well-known saying stating a piece of advice or the general truth.
  • It can be described as a statement of practical wisdom expressed in a simple way.
  • It is based on common sense or a person’s practical experience. Proverbs are typically metaphorical or alliterative in form.

Examples

  • Slow and steady wins the race. 
  • Birds of a feather flock together. 
  • Rolling stones gather no moss. 
  • It is better to be smarter than you appear than to appear smarter than you are. 
  • Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. 
  • Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. 

Adage

  • It is a short, common saying or phrase that tends to be old, known for decades or centuries.
  • It refers to popular sayings that give advice.
  • It expresses a general truth about people or the world.
  • It could be based on facts. It can also come from a specific situation or job.
  • It is similar to a proverb and proverbs could be adages.

Examples 

  • A penny saved is a penny earned .
  • Slow and steady wins the race. 
  • Better safe than sorry.
  • Nothing ventured; nothing gained.
  • You live, you learn.
  • Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Keep in mind

  • An adage is sometimes called proverb.
  • They are usually smaller than proverbs.
  • So don’t worry about mixing both up, as they have mostly similar qualities.

Create a colorful note taking page to show what you have learned.

 

 

https://www.enchantedlearning.com/english/adages/index.shtmlAdages

Language Arts Mini Spark #73- Greek and Latin Roots

Improve your spelling and understanding of  words while doing this Language Arts Mini Spark.

Watch this video. As you are watching pause the video as needed to write down at least 10 root words and at least 5 affixes and their meanings.

 

Study this image 

Use these activities to learn these words.
Make flash cards for each of the pink and blue buttons. On one side put the root and the other side put the meaning. Study the cards.
Then look at the word list and find the matching set of cards for each.
Learn how to pronounce the 12 words.  You can do this by typing in the word into your search bar and then typing “pronounce”.  Practice each word several times.
Memorize the spellings of these 12 words. When you are ready, have a friend quiz you on the spellings. You can write them on paper or say the letters aloud.

Lesson idea adapted from Khan and SpellPundit

Language Arts Mini Spark #72 – Golden Line Writing

Stretch your thinking and unravel your ideas with this Golden Line activity!

Step 1: Watch this introductory video about the Golden Line Writing Activity.

Step 2: Print this page or open a new Google Doc and begin writing with the provided “Golden Line” by  C.S. Lewis.

Golden Line Activity

Step 3: Now that you have experienced this writing strategy. Research some other quotes that would make great writing prompts. Make a list of three to five quotes.

Step 4: Submit your Golden Line writing (Step 2) and list of quotes/prompts (Step 3) to your building’s EY Coordinator.

Writing Contest-Due Feb. 24, 2023

This writing contests is simple!  Pick an integer and write a 100 word mini-saga.  That’s it!

INTEGER:

[in-tuh-juh] noun

a number which is not a fraction; a whole number

Could you finish one of these story starters?
  • I rolled a 6…
  • I am number 13…
  • It was 2099…
  • Room 237 was empty…
  • I was down to my last $5…
  • Only 30 seconds left…
  • I was public enemy number 1…
Use one of the story starters above or think of your own!  Hurry!  Entries are Due Feb. 24.  For help in submitting your writing, contact the EY Coordinator at your building.

Click For More Information: https://youngwritersusa.com/contest/middle-high/integer#download-links

 

 

 

Language Arts Mini Spark #71 – Nonfiction Poetry

Nonfiction poetry focuses on conveying facts about subjects through engaging and creative narratives. Nonfiction poetry can be a fun and thought-provoking way to tell a story or impart information.

Step 1 – Learn about an important historical event (Apollo 11) by reading the article, The Moon Landing on the National Geographic Kids website. Click on photo to read.

Step 2 – Listen to this example of nonfiction poetry about Apollo 11, Eight Days Gone. Click on photo to watch/listen.

Step 3 – Explore these websites and choose an article of interest. Read the article 1-2 times.

Step 4Create your nonfiction verse in the form of a Cinquain poem. Cinquain poems follow a specific 5 line pattern. Use these sheets to further analyze your article/topic and draft your poem.

Step 5Find a photo to accompany your poem, choose an app on your iPad to create a visual display of your work.

Step 6 – Share! Email your finished work to your building’s EY Coordinator.

Language Arts Mini Spark #70 Why is there a “B” in doubt?

Cat- C-A-T     Dog. D-O-G

Not all words have spellings that are as clear and easy to remember as these two. Watch this TED ED video about why there is a “B” in doubt.

 

Record all of the forms of doubt and double from the video. Do research to add more words to your list that were not mentioned.

Make an ABC book with a word for each letter that includes a silent letter.

Read this information page about Latin. Record several important details as you read.

Read more about silent letters at Wonderopolis. Take the Wonder Word Challenge or Test Your Knowledge when you are done reading.

Language Arts Mini Spark #69 ULTIMATE Writing Challenge

When reading a favorite story take some time to notice the length of the sentences you are reading. Writers often use a variety of sentence lengths to create a rhythm.

Using long sentences with lots of details, short and sweet to the point sentences, and combined with mid length sentences will make your story flow.

To complete this mini spark watch this video and complete the 12 sentence story challenge.

Turn your story into your teacher or EY coordinator.

Post adapted from http://briantolentino.com/

Language Arts Mini Spark #68: National Opposite Day

We don’t have to only celebrate opposite day on January 25th. Check out some of these resources to celebrate!

Oh, SpongeBob!

Watch this video and make a list of 10 things you could do today that are the opposite of what you would normally do. Examples: eat breakfast for dinner, greet your friends with “good-bye” instead of “hello”, write your name backwards all day.

 

IRONY

The use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning.

Learn about irony @ TED ed. Discover the three types of irony. Watch all three videos and create a chart with definitions and examples. 

CONTRONYMS

These are words that have contradictory or opposite meanings.

  • CLIP can mean to “cut off” (as in clipping a coupon) or “attach” (as you do with a paperclip)
  • DUST can mean to “to remove particles” or “add fine particles” (as in dusting a cake with sugar)
  • LEFT can mean “remaining” (as in one piece left) or “departed” (as in “she left ten minutes ago.”)
  • SEED can mean ” seeds put in” (as in “seeded with native grasses”) or “to remove seeds” (as in “seeding a watermelon”).

Add the words from above to a list and try to come up with 3 more! Check out more examples here after you have thought of 3 of your own.

Palindromes

 Mom and Dad Are Palindromes, written by Mark Shulman has many examples of word that are written the same forwards and backward. Watch the video, and write down your 5 favorite palindromes from the story.

Lesson ideas are from Big Ideas for little Scholars . 

Language Art Mini Spark #67: Personification

Personification is the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.

1 – Watch this video clip that illustrates the use of personification.


2 – Draw an illustration to match each example of personification. Click on image to open the document to print.

3 – Write a story about a day in the life of an object, using plenty of personification. Include an illustration. You may use the template linked below (click on image).

4 – Submit completed “Day in the Life” story to your EY Coordinator.