All posts by Jenny Henningsen

#43: Fingerprints

Uncategorized

Did you know that no two people have exactly the same fingerprints? Fingerprints help identify people and are used by scientists, law enforcement, and even the technology we use every day. Fingerprints are one type of biometric, a unique physical characteristic that can be used to recognize a person. In this Mini Spark, you will learn about fingerprints and discover how biometrics are used in the modern world.

Spark Your Learning!

1. Set up your Science Mini Spark recording page: #43: Fingerprints. Answer this questions: Why do you think every person has different fingerprints?

2. Watch this video.  How do the different patterns of fingerprints get started?

 

3. Create a Fingerprint Mini Dictionary.

Choose at least 8 vocabulary words from the video.

For each word, include:

  • The term
  • A definition in your own words
  • A small illustration or symbol

Example:

Fingerprint

The pattern of ridges on the tip of a finger that is unique to each person.

4. Biometrics are physical traits that can be used to identify a person. Examples include:

  • Fingerprints
  • Facial recognition
  • Iris scans
  • Voice recognition

Record these on your recording page. Next to each on, think of a real life example of when they would be used.  When you are done, scroll to the bottom of this post to see some suggested answers.

5. Choose 2 questions to answer

Can you think of another way biometrics might be used in the future to make life easier or safer?

Why are fingerprints useful for identifying people?

How are fingerprints used in technology today?

Do you think biometrics are helpful? Why or why not?

6. Submit your completed Mini Spark notebook pages and Fingerprint Mini Dictionary to your teacher or EY Coordinator.

To learn more about biometrics, complete the biometrics badge at the EY website.

examples for Step 4:

Biometric Tool How It Identifies a Person Real-Life Example
Fingerprints Uses the unique ridges and patterns on a person’s fingers. Unlocking a smartphone with a fingerprint sensor.
Facial Recognition Uses measurements and features of a person’s face. Opening a phone with Face ID or checking in at some airports.
Iris Scans Uses the unique pattern in the colored part of the eye. Security access at research labs, government buildings, or some international airports.
Voice Recognition Uses the unique characteristics of a person’s voice. Asking Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant to recognize your voice.

#42: Amazing Animal Movers

Science Mini Spark

Animals move in incredible ways! Some slither, some leap, some glide through the air, and some even roll like wheels. These unique movements help animals find food, escape predators, and survive in their environments. In this Mini Spark, you will explore several animals with unusual ways of moving and discover how their special adaptations help them travel.

Spark Your Learning!

1. Set up your Mini Spark recording page: Science Mini Spark #42 Amazing Animal Movers. What is the most unusual way you have ever seen an animal move?

2. Watch this video about how snakes move. Record the 4 ways of movement and 2 detilas about each one.

3. Record these these 5 animals names and their unusual movements:

  • Mantis Shrimp – Rolling
  • Paradise Tree Snake – Aerial Gliding
  • Sea Pig – Hydraulic Walking
  • Springtail – Bouncing and Leaping
  • Cuban Crocodile – Ground Galloping

4. Read about each animal and write record how the animals’ unique locomotion helps protect the animal.

Rolling — Mantis Shrimp The animal: Some small mantis shrimp living in sandy coastal areas. How it moves: When threatened and far from its burrow, the mantis shrimp flips onto its back and uses strong tail and body motions to somersault along the sand. This rolling motion acts like a wheel and lets the shrimp travel faster across loose sand than by normal crawling. Rolling reduces the time it stays exposed to predators.

Aerial Gliding — Paradise Tree Snake The animal: The paradise tree snake, found in trees across Southeast Asia. How it moves: This snake launches itself from high branches, flattens its body, and forms an S-shaped curve. By changing its body shape it produces lift and can glide through the air for long distances (sometimes 20 meters or more). It steers by bending and twisting its body to land safely on another tree or avoid obstacles.

Hydraulic Walking — Sea Pig The animal: Sea pigs, a type of deep-sea sea cucumber that lives on the ocean floor. How it moves: Sea pigs walk using long, tube-like feet. Instead of contracting muscles in the feet, they change water pressure inside their body to inflate and deflate the tube feet. This hydraulic system lets them lift and move each foot to “walk” slowly across the muddy seafloor while they search for food.

Bouncing and Leaping — Springtail The animal: Springtails, tiny hexapods that live in soil, leaf litter, and moss. How it moves: Springtails have a folded forked appendage called a furcula under their abdomen. When triggered, the furcula snaps downward like a spring, launching the animal high into the air in a quick jump. This catapult-like action helps springtails escape predators and move between small habitat patches.

Ground Galloping — Cuban Crocodile The animal: The Cuban crocodile, which is more terrestrial than many other crocodile species. How it moves: With relatively long, strong limbs and a muscular body, the Cuban crocodile can run on land in short bursts. It uses leaping and bounding motions that look like galloping to move faster across beaches and dry ground. This agility helps it chase prey and move between water and land.

5. Answer this question on your recording page. Which animal movement would be the most useful for a human to have? Explain your answer using evidence from your research.

6. Submit your completed Mini Spark notebook pages to your teacher or EY Coordinator.

Look for the the snake mini spark and snaket badge and the EY website.

# 75: News for Kids

Social Studies Enrichment

News helps us learn about important events happening around the world. Reading current events can help you understand science, history, government, technology, sports, and people from different places. In this Mini Spark, you will become a young journalist by reading and summarizing a news article written especially for kids.

Spark Your Learning!

1.  Set up your Mini Spark notebook: Social Studies Mini Spark #75: News for Kids

2. Visit: https://newsforkids.net/. Choose one article that interests you and read it carefully. Record the title of the article and the date it was published.

3. Write a summary of the article in 5–7 sentences.

Include:

  • The main topic
  • Important facts
  • Why the event is important

4. What was the most interesting thing you learned from the article? Explain your answer in 2–3 sentences.

5. Browse the website and find three other articles you would like to read.

Write the titles of the articles and explain why each one interests you.

  1. Why I want to read it:

  2. Why I want to read it:

  3. Why I want to read it:

6. Submit your completed Mini Spark notebook pages to your teacher or EY Coordinator.

Use this mini spark work as one of your article projects for the News Nut badge from the EY Webpage.

#73: How Little Golden Books Changed Childhood

Social Studies Enrichment

Little Golden Books transformed children’s reading habits in the early 20th century. A Little Golden Book is a highly popular, classic series of children’s hardcover storybooks featuring an iconic metallic gold spine and colorful illustrations. Launched in 1942, the line revolutionized publishing by offering affordable, high-quality picture books (originally for just 25 cents) that were sold in everyday supermarkets and department stores. Before World War II, most children’s books were expensive and often available only to wealthy families. Little Golden Books changed that by offering colorful, affordable books with modern stories that millions of children could enjoy.

In this Mini Spark, you will explore how these books became a part of American childhood and why they are still remembered today.

Spark Your Learning!

1. Set up your Social Studies Mini Spark notebook: # 71: How Little Golden Books Changed Childhood

2. What are little golden books? Listen to this read aloud of a classic little golden book. By a famous author- margaret wise brown.  This book is known for its poetic quality and simple lesson that mistakes make beautiful colors. On your recording page, write a sentence about your favorite part of the book.

3.  While watching this video about little golden books, think about:

  • Why were Little Golden Books affordable?
  • How did World War II and the New Deal influence families and children’s reading?
  • Why was it significant that Little Golden Books were affordable?
  • Why was it important for books to be accessible to more people? What impact do you think that had?
  • Did you recognize any books in the episode? If not, how can you find them or learn more?

Choose 1 of the questions to answer on your recording page.

 

4. Do you think Little Golden Books changed childhood in America? Explain

your answer using at least two facts from your research.

5. Submit your completed Social Studies mini spark recording pages to your teacher or EY Coordinator.

Check out a few of the many book badges at the EY website.

#41: Meet the Slow Loris – The World’s Only Venomous Primate

Science Mini Spark

What if one of the cutest animals in the world had a secret superpower? The slow loris may look like a cuddly stuffed animal, but it is the only known venomous primate on Earth! Scientists are still learning about these fascinating animals and the special adaptations that help them survive in the wild. Discover the amazing world of slow lorises in this Science Mini Spark.

Spark Your Learning!

1. Set up your Science mini spark recording page: #41: Meet the Slow Loris

Before you begin, answer this question:

What do you already know about a slow loris?

Record:

  • 2 things you think might be true about a slow loris.
  • 1 question you hope to answer during this Mini Spark.

2. Watch the video about the slow loris.

 

As you watch, record:

  • 5 facts about slow lorises.
  • 3 physical adaptations that help them survive.
  • 2 dangers they face in the wild.
  • 1 fact that surprised you.

3. Read this fact page about slow lorises. Fill in the blank with the correct words:

  1. Slow lorises live only in South and __________ Asia. 
  2. Slow lorises are __________, which means they live in trees. 
  3. The scientific genus name for slow lorises is ____________. 
  4. Slow lorises have a small bare patch under their arm that makes ____________. 
  5. Slow lorises help forests by spreading __________ and pollinating __________. 

Scroll to the bottom of this post to check your answers.

4. Answer two of the following questions in complete sentences from the point of view of a slow loris.

  1. Describe two physical features of slow lorises that help them live at night.
  2. Explain how slow lorises use their oil secretion and why it matters.
  3. Give two reasons why slow lorises are important to their ecosystems.

 5. Share your Science mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

To learn more about another venomous creature check out Science mini spark # 7  along with the Nature’s Protection badge at the EY website.

 

 

 

#74: Ellis Island Interviews 

Social Studies Enrichment,

What was it like to leave your home, cross an ocean, and arrive in a completely new country? Between 1892 and 1954, more than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island on their way to a new life in America. Today, we can learn about their experiences by listening to real interviews from people who made that journey. Become a history detective and explore these personal stories in this Social Studies Mini Spark!

Spark Your Thinking!

  1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #74: Ellis Island Interviews
  2. Watch the background video about Ellis Island

 

As you watch, record:

  • 5 facts about Ellis Island.
  • 3 reasons people immigrated to America.
  • 2 challenges immigrants faced when they arrived.
  • 1 question you have about immigration.

3. Visit the Ellis Island Oral Histories website and choose three immigrant interviews to listen to. For each one make a list and include the following information:

the title of the interview

any dates that are given (date arrived in america, date of interview, birthdate)

the country the person came from

a brief summary of the interview. 

4. Answer TWO of the following questions in complete sentences.

  1. What character traits do you think immigrants needed in order to leave their homes and start over in a new country? Use examples from the interview.
  2. Was immigrating to America more of a risk or an opportunity for the person you listened to? Explain your reasoning.
  3. How might America be different today if millions of immigrants had never come through Ellis Island?
  4. What sacrifices did immigrants make in order to create better opportunities for themselves and their families?
  5. Why do you think oral history interviews are important for understanding history? What can we learn from personal stories that we cannot learn from textbooks?

OR 

Create a “Suitcase of Memories” for an immigrant from step 3. Draw a suitcase and place 5 items inside that represent important parts of their journey. Label each item and explain why it would be meaningful.

5. Share your Social Studies mini spark page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

 

To learn more about this topic, find the Ellis Island Inquiry Badge to complete.

#72: State Research Challenge

Social Studies Enrichment

Have you ever asked what gives each state its own character? Each state holds its own past, landscape, emblems, notable places, and well-known people. In this Mini Spark, you’ll act as an investigator and discover the United States state by state through brief videos packed with fun facts.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #72: State Research Challenge

2. Choose one state that interests you from the Untold History State playlist. Choose on that your don’t already know much about, from the video playlist. Before watching, record:

  • The name of the state
  • Its location in the United States (advanced Latitude and Longitude)
  • Three things you already know about it

Then make one prediction:

What do you think makes this state unique?

3. Watch the video for your chosen state.

As you watch, record:

  • State capital
  • State nickname
  • State bird
  • State flower
  • Population (if given)
  • Largest city
  • One famous landmark
  • One interesting fact

4. Share your Social Studies  mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Check out the badge, The 50 States Research Challenge, at the EY Website.

You can use this mini spark for one of your states.

You can also try the State Savvy badge from the EY website.

 

#71: Civil War Invention-The Telegraph

Uncategorized

How can a war lead to new inventions? During the Civil War, inventors and innovators created new technologies that changed communication, medicine, transportation, and warfare. Some of these inventions are still influencing our lives today! Discover how necessity and innovation shaped history in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #71: Civil War Invention-The Telegraph

2. Before you begin, think about this question: What invention do you use every day that would be difficult to live without? Record:

  • The invention
  • How it helps people
  • What life would be like without it

3. Watch the video about The Telegraph. As you watch, record:

  • 5 important inventions or technologies used during the Civil War.
  • 3 ways these inventions changed people’s lives.
  • 1 invention you think had the greatest impact and why.

4. Read the article about the origins of the telegraph. Record 3 details from the article.

5. Explore this morse code translator.  Write your name in Morse code.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Check out the Civil War Inventions Badge at the EY website. Use this mini spark as one of your tasks.

#90: The Hero’s Journey

Reading Enrichment

Why do so many stories from around the world follow a similar pattern? From Harry Potter to Moana, Percy Jackson to Luke Skywalker, heroes often go on adventures, face challenges, and return changed. This storytelling pattern is called the Hero’s Journey. Discover why this ancient story structure continues to appear in books, movies, myths, and legends in this Language Arts Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Language Arts mini spark recording page: #90: The Hero’s Journey

2. Before you begin, think about a favorite book, movie, or video game character.What makes someone a hero? List at least 5 qualities you think heroes should have and explain why each quality is important.

3. Watch the TED-Ed video: What Makes a Hero?  

Choose 1 of these questions to answer

  1. Explain in your own words what the “Call to Adventure” is and give one example from the transcript (or a story you know).
  2. Describe two events from the Hero’s Journey cycle that happen after the hero crosses the threshold into the special world. Use details from the video.
  3. The video says the hero may face “death and possibly even dies, only to be reborn.” What does this mean symbolically for a real person? Give one real-life example the video mentions or implies.

4.  Study this hero’s journey graphic for kids to use when determining the parts of the hero’s journey. What do you like about it? What suggestions do you have to improve it?

5. Read the article: The Hero’s Journey. What strategies does the writer have for you? Record them on your recording page.

6. Share your Language Arts mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

#70: The Underground Railroad

Social Studies Enrichment

How far would you go to help someone gain their freedom? During the 1800s, brave people risked their safety to help enslaved people escape to freedom through a network known as the Underground Railroad. Historians recently discovered evidence of a hidden room in a New York City home that may have been used to shelter freedom seekers. Learn about this remarkable chapter of American history in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #70: The Underground Railroad

2. Watch this video and record 5 important facts about the Underground Railroad.

3. Watch the video about the hidden room discovered in a New York City house connected to the Underground Railroad. As you watch, record:

  • 3 details about the hidden room.
  • 2 risks faced by people helping freedom seekers.
  • 1 question you still have after watching.

4. Set your timer for 5 minutes. Read a post at National Geographic for Kids. Study the map on the page as well. Explain what the different colors on the map represent.

5. Do you think ordinary people can make a difference during difficult times in history? Use examples from the videos and National Geographic Kids to support your answer.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Check out Social Studies Mini Spark #44 to learn more!