This is the link
File make a copy and you can use it for your classroom.
All posts by Jenny Henningsen
# 8: Binary Code: Numbers
To talk to computer your need to speak its language. One such language, or code, is binary. It works by using a system of 2 symbols, base 2, often made up of 0’s and 1’s. In this 2nd binary code STEAM mini spark learn about binary code: numbers
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #7: Binary Code: Numbers
2. The base 2 number systems (binary) requires you to be familiar with the powers of 2. Copy these two charts on to your recording page.
3. Watch this teaching video to 3:37 to get started reading numbers written in binary. Pause the video at 1:28 and write the chart on your recording sheet. He does the addition for you, but still write down all of the numbers as he goes and add them together to make sure it is 155. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see that you have all of the correct numbers. Watch until 3:37, taking a few more notes as you watch.
4. Make a table like this on your recording sheet. Then look up at the top to find age on the graphic for this mini spark. Fill in this table with the 1s and 0s. You can put 0s in for 128 and 64 or just leave them blank.
5. Use the process that the teacher used in the video. What birthday is the person celebrating? Record all of your math on your recording page.
6. Scroll to the bottom of this post to check your answer. If you have the answer correct, put a star on your recording sheet. Correct your work if necessary.
7. Watch this video to see how to write base ten numbers in base 2. Pause at 27 seconds and draw the horizontal table on your recording page. Then follow along with the teacher and fill in your chart. What is 347 in binary?
8. Learning the process of converting from base ten to base 2 and base 2 to base 10. This STEAM mini spark was an introduction. OPTIONAL: If you want to learn more and practice you can visit the Khan Course-Binary Numbers.
9. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
Check out STEAM Mini Spark # 7: Binary Code: Names
From step 3: You should have 128 + 16 + 9 + 2 + 1 = 155
#9: The dove dove.
A homograph is a group of words that are spelled the same way, but have different meanings. They may or may not be pronounced the same way, although the difference in pronunciation is often just a shift in the accented syllable.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #9: Homographs
2. Here is a sentence that uses the homograph “dove.” Write the two meanings of the word dove on your recording page.
The dove looked elegant as it dove underneath the tree branch to catch the bug.
Here is a sentence that uses the homograph “bank.”Write the two meanings of the word bank on your recording page.
After swimming at the river bank, we went to the bank to get some money to buy ice cream.
3. Read this article. Write down 4 of sets of words and a short meaning for each.
4. Strengthen your brain by playing a matching game. You will be given two lists of word definitions. Find the pair that has the homograph in common. Here is a sample
Find the matching pairs and write them on your recording sheet. The answers are at the bottom of this mini spark. Check your work.
4. Go to this website. Choose the level that fits you. Record the level you choose on your recording sheet.
5. Play the game 3 times. Write your answers on your recording sheet.
Don’t click “hint” until you have guesses made.
Then click the word “hint”. That will give you the words and you will be able to check to see if your guesses are correct. Correct your work on your recording sheet.
6. On your recording sheet, build 2 columns like the game you played. Use these 5 words.
minute, coordinates, produce, entrance, down
If needed, use a dictionary to help you with your definitions.
7. Make an answer key to go along with your game.
8. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
Check out mini spark which is about heteronyms, homographs that are pronounced differently.
Answer for step 3: 1 & B, 2 & D, 3 & A, 4 & E, 5 & C
Quarter 1 Update
The leaves are falling, the smell of campfires fill the air, and conferences are here! That must mean the first quarter is over!
We have had a busy, but fun first quarter. Our focus has been on invention and innovation. This is always a fun theme for students and proved to be true this year as well. We had a variety of events and experiences that provided students with the opportunity to explore invention and innovation both inside and outside the classroom.
One such event was the Invention Convention Seminar in October. This was open to all students grades 2 – 6 (at two separate seminars) and had a focus on the engineering profession as well. 5th & 6th grade students had the opportunity to create their own musical instrument, work through the reverse engineering process, market their invention, and look at improving the world through inventions all while creating an engineering notebook. 2nd – 4th graders worked through the process of creating electrical circuits and even got to put together a light up greeting card using a circuit they made. It was exciting to see all of the innovative thinkers we have at Westside!
Math and Reading enrichment are in full swing now. There are many opportunities available to students within the classroom during these subject areas. Most of the enrichment options can be found through the EY blog. Many of these experiences have the potential to lead into deeper projects/studies, so be sure to check with your student regarding opportunities they have chosen or plan to explore.
We continue to encourage all students to check out the EY blog regularly for enrichment opportunities in many interest areas both within their classrooms and beyond. Please encourage your student(s) to explore the blog at home as well. Like I always say…the blog doesn’t ever take a day off!
Thank you for making this first quarter a success!
Links for Henningsen EY
Math League
Link to use for Lynda
Google Form for Lynda Progress
#7: Binary Code Names
To talk to computer your need to speak its language. One such language, or code, is binary. It works by using a system of 2 symbols, base 2, often made up of 0’s and 1’s. In this 1st binary code STEAM mini spark learn about binary code names.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #7: Binary Code Names
2. Check out first part of this article on binary code. Write your name using UTF-8 binary code. Record your Code Name on your recording sheet.
3. Using the chart from the article, determine the person’s name from the name tag at the top of this mini spark. Record it on your recording page.
4. Watch this video and take detailed notes on your recording page.
5. Start looking at binary codes that represent numbers. At this site you will see numbers from 1-100. Choose 10 numbers to recordon on your recording page. Write about what you notice and any patterns you see.
6. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
Check out STEAM Mini Spark # 8: Binary Code Numbers
#3: Let’s Simile
Learn more about how to add spark to your writing.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your mini spark recording page: #3: Let’s Simile
2. Watch this BrainPop Jr. video about Similes. Record a few of the examples from the video on your recording page.
3. Use this image as an example Draw your own image on your recording page.
picture from ehssjadej.edublogs.org
4. Fall Simile Writing Activity. Copy these 3 of these sentence starters on your recording page and create your own similes. You may use your own ideas instead if you wish. Add color/designs to your finished page.
A fall leaf is a red as a _________________________.
A jack-o-lantern is a round as a______________________.
A fall leaf is a crunchy as a___________________________.
A fall leaf is as ____________________ as ________________________.
A pumpkin is _______________________like _______________________.
A bat is as ________________________as __________________________.
Halloween is __________________________as ___________________.
The scarecrow is ____________________like__________________________.
5. Share your mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
#8: Haiku Poem
Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. It often centers around nature. Haiku poems don’t rhyme and they follow a pattern.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #8: Haiku Poem
2. Record this haiku poem on your recording page. What patterns do you notice?
3. Watch this video. Record 3 details from the video.
4. Record the pattern on your recording page:
The pattern for haiku is the following:
Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables
5. Count out the syllables in an example written by Basho Matsuo. Record the answers on your recording sheet for each line.
An old silent pond… (How many syllables did you count?)
A frog jumps into the pond, (How about this line?)
splash! Silence again. (Does this line follow the rule?)
6. Choose a topic or theme (nature, sports, family, school, friendship, etc.) and brainstorm a list of many words related to your topic.
7. Follow these bulleted points to write your own Haiku Poem with using the words you brainstormed.
- Example topic : weather
- Example brainstormed words : rain, clouds, soft breezes, mist, windy, snowing
- Choose the words that you like from the list you made and start working on arranging those into your poem with other filler words.
- Count the syllables
- Put them together using the pattern.
8. Write 2 or 3 haiku style poems about the topic/theme you picked out.
Follow the 5-7-5 pattern
9. Send your work to the EY coordinator in your building.
OPTIONAL: Draw an illustration for one of the poems.
Image : http://heightstechnology.edublogs.org/files/2010/10/cloud-205bdge.jpg
Early Enrichment #2: You can be an inventor
BUILD A BETTER PENCIL
Did you know that the popsicle, ear muffs AND the trampoline were invented by kids? You can be an inventor, too. Take this challenge to create a new and improved pencil.
1. FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM
Inventors are motivated by things that don’t work. Imagine that your pencil keeps slipping out of your hand and it presses on your fingers and they get sore.
Figure out the problem! Is the pencil too narrow? Is the paint to slippery.
Think about what might improve the pencil so that the problem is erased (no pun intended). Write your ideas down in a notebook.
2. LET YOUR IMAGINATION GO!
Brainstorm as many ideas to solve the problem of as possible. Next, turn these ideas into designs. Draw them in your note book. No matter how bizarre or unrealistic a design may seem, make sure to make sure to include it. Although a design may seem impossible, it might inspire a realistic solution.
Comment below to share your ideas or Snap a picture of your best pencil idea and share it with the EY coordinator in your building.
Welcome back!
The beginning of the school year is always busy-but I have met with all of the students. I am so looking forward to spending time with them in the classrooms, in small groups, and at seminars.
Seminars-There will be seminars offered throughout this school year. The seminars topics offered can be found at this link. These will be 1/2 day or full day events held at the Westside Community Center. We will transport to that event and back to school. If your child is interested in participating, he or she will need to complete the ticket and submit it by the due date. There will be some seminars where we have a more interest than spots, so please encourage your child to turn in his/her best work on the tickets and to get them in by the due date.
Seminar ticket posted for a coding seminar ticket-click for info
Ticket posted for the invention convention ticket-click for info
All tier 2/3 students will be attending a seminar on Sept 3. The students will be creating his/her online portfolios. This is a 1/2 day event and will be held at the Westside Community Center.
Reading-We are creating accounts in Storybird and the student have started making an “All About Me” book. This resource is amazing, and we will be using it this year to create projects. 
Math-We are dusting off our khan accounts and spending time exploring the resources found here. please encourage your child to spend time working at khan during the school week. Khan is lovely, since can children work at his/her own pace. 
Please contact me with any questions
Jenny