All posts by Jenny Henningsen

#69: Chief Oshkosh and the Menominee Forest

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Can people use natural resources without destroying them? More than 150 years ago, Chief Oshkosh and the Menominee people believed they could. While many forests across the United States were being cut down, the Menominee developed a way to use their forest while protecting it for future generations. Today, their forest is considered one of the best examples of sustainable forestry in the world.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #69: Chief Oshkosh and the Menominee Forest

2. Before you begin, think about this question: If you were in charge of a forest that your family and community depended on, what rules would you create to make sure the forest would still be healthy 100 years from now?

Record at least 3 rules and explain why each rule is important.

3. Watch the video: Chief Oshkosh and a History of Menominee Forest Conservation.

As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about Chief Oshkosh.
  • 3 facts about the Menominee people.
  • 2 ways the Menominee cared for their forest.
  • 1 fact that surprised you.

4. Go to this site and scroll down to find a book about Chief Oshkosh. It is purple and there is a button on it that says, “OPEN THE BOOK”. Set your timer and read for 5 minutes. The Menominee believed they were stewards of the forest and should only take what nature could replace. Why do you think protecting forests was especially important to the Menominee people?

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

#68: The Lost Colony of Roanoke

Social Studies Enrichment

What if an entire town disappeared without leaving a trace? More than 400 years ago, over 100 English settlers arrived on Roanoke Island hoping to build a new life in North America. When help finally arrived three years later, the colony was empty—and the mystery has never been fully solved. Discover one of America’s greatest historical mysteries in this Social Studies Mini Spark!

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #68: The Lost Colony of Roanoke

2. Watch this video about the lost colony.  Why do historians think Croatoan Island may be connected to the disappearance of the colonists?

3. Sketch simple map on your recording page.

Add these labels

  • Roanoke Island
  • Croatoan (Hatteras) Island
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • Jamestown

4. Watch the PBS video, Discovering New Clues About the Fate of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island. As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about the Lost Colony.
  • 2 clues archaeologists have discovered.
  • 1 theory about what may have happened to the colonists.

5.  Read this article. Many historians believe the colonists may have joined nearby Native American communities, while others suggest different explanations. Recent archaeological discoveries have provided new clues, but no final answer has been proven.

Answer in 3-4 complete sentences:

Do you think the Lost Colony mystery will ever be completely solved? Why or why not? Support your answer with evidence from the article and videos.

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

 

 

 

#66: Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride

Social Studies Enrichment,

What would you do if you had to deliver an important message that could change history? In 1775, a silversmith named Paul Revere rode through the night to warn American colonists that British soldiers were coming. Learn about his famous ride and why it became an important part of American history in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #66: Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride

2. Before you begin, imagine there are no phones, text messages, or computers. How would you quickly warn people about an emergency? Record at least 3 ways you might spread important news in the 1700s.

3. Watch the video about Paul Revere.

As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about Paul Revere.
  • 3 details about his famous midnight ride.
  • 1 question you still have after watching the video.

4. Read the Britannica Kids article about Paul Revere. Create a web diagram with Paul Revere in the center. Add at least 6 facts you learned about his life, career, and contributions to the American Revolution.

5. Choose A or B

A. Imagine you are Paul Revere on the night of April 18, 1775. Write a diary entry describing:

  • What you see and hear during your ride.
  • How you feel as you travel through the countryside.
  • Why your mission is important.
  • What you hope will happen when people receive your warning.

Include at least 5-8 sentences with details that make the reader feel like they are there with you.

B. Many people know Paul Revere’s name, but other riders also helped spread the warning. Answer this question in 3–5 complete sentences:

Why do you think some people become famous in history while others who helped are less remembered? Use evidence from the video and article to support your thinking.

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

#65: The New Deal

Social Studies Enrichment

What should a government do when millions of people lose their jobs and struggle to afford food and housing? During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced a series of programs called the New Deal to help Americans recover. Learn how these programs changed lives and decide whether you think they were successful in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #65: The New Deal

2. During the Great Depression, many Americans lost their jobs, homes, and savings. President Roosevelt’s New Deal created programs to provide jobs, support families, and help the economy recover. Before you begin, predict: What kinds of programs would you create to help people during a national crisis? Record 2+ ideas on your recording page.

3. Watch the video about the New Deal.

As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about the New Deal.
  • 3 programs or projects created during the New Deal.
  • 1 fact that surprised you.

4. Read the Khan Academy lesson about the New Deal and then choose A or B or C to complete.

A: Thinking Like a Historian. On your recording page, create a T-chart labeled:

Benefits of the New Deal Criticisms of the New Deal

Record at least 3 ideas in each column.

B: Creative Writing Challenge
Imagine you are a newspaper reporter living in 1935.

Write a short newspaper article (one paragraph) describing a New Deal program that has just arrived in your town. Include:

  • A headline
  • What the program does
  • Who it helps
  • How people in your town are reacting to it

Part C: Critical Thinking
Answer this question in 3–5 complete sentences:

Do you think the New Deal was a good way to help Americans during the Great Depression? Why or why not? Use evidence from both the video and the reading to support your answer.

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

Check out these Social Studies mini sparks about other events during the Great Depression

Art Inspiring Art-Youth Art Show

Events & Contests, Other Events & Contests

Opera Omaha & Joslyn Castle’s Youth Art Show invites artists ages 18 or younger to showcase what sparks their creativity! Just like how Opera Omaha’s production of UnShakeable uses the legacy of Shakespeare to craft an original new story, this exhibit explores how the arts themselves inspire us to create art.

 

Share a piece inspired by your “inner museum:” the collection of art, poetry, literature, or music that has made a lasting impression on you. Show us how art can echo, transform, and become something new through your imagination.

Have you ever looked at a piece of art, listened to a song, or read a poem, and been moved by the work?

What did it inspire you to create?

What memory did it spark or leave behind?

How did it connect you to other people?

What would happen if you stepped inside the artwork?

How would you retell a poem, song, or story in your own visual language?

What artwork, character, or line of text do you keep returning to?

 

This is your opportunity to share your own unique perspective, showing how art continues to evolve, inspire, and transform through you!

When: May 21- June 9, 2026
Where: Joslyn Castle Carriage House Gallery, Omaha
Who: Artists 18 and younger (up to seniors in high school)
Entry Fee: None—completely FREE!
Submissions: Up to 2 pieces per artist

Go to this form to learn more about submitting your art.

 

 

A selection of pieces will move to the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center June 5-7 to be displayed during Opera Omaha performances of UnShakeable.

 

#66: Pentahexaflexagon Folding Calendar

Math Mini Sparks

PENTAHEXAFLEXAGON. Say it 3 times fast! In this mini spark learn about math while doing this “fun” make-it-yourself calendar project. The calendars do require cutting and gluing so they are not truly origami; rather they would be under the category of paper fun.

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your Math Mini Spark recording page: #66: Pentahexaflexagon folding calendar
  2. Learn about different types of -flexagons. Record 3 ideas from the teaching page. How do these puzzles connect to mathematics?
  3. Watch this video before printing out the project.  On a scale of 1-5 how hard do you think it will be to create this project? 

4. Open the calendar template and read the instructions on the top. Gather your supplies. 

5. Print the template. If you would like the template in color, as your teacher for help. Rewatch this video as you build.**Note-If you would prefer written instructions with steps, this webpage has them created for you.

6. Share your Math Mini Spark Mini Spark recording page and your finished project. with your teacher or EY Coordinator.

OPTIONAL: If you would like to try folding this project without the calendar dates you can use this template.

Note Lesson adapted from https://make-origami.com/flexagon-calendar/

If this mini spark has not been updated with the current year’s calendar, ask your EY teacher to modify it.

 

Check out math mini spark #39 for more folding fun

Road Safety Art Contest

Events & Contests, Other Events & Contests

 

Everyone on our roads has a responsibility to help keep each other safe. The annual FMCSA Road Safety Art Contest invites students to use their creativity to raise awareness of how to stay safe on the road, particularly when driving, biking, or walking around large trucks and buses.

Grades K-12

Submissions Due June 5th

Main Information page- https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/OurRoadsArtContest

Entry form-https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2026-03/ArtContest2026_EntryForm%20%281%29_1.pdf

Omaha City Park Challenge

Other Events & Contests

We challenge you to get outdoors this Spring and explore different Omaha Parks! Register for FREE starting March 13th and you will receive a list of the parks to visit. Take a photo at each site and submit them to be entered to win prizes! Complete all 10 sites by May 10th for a chance to win a Group Pool Pass!  For more information, contact Kelly kelly.maher@cityofomaha.org

When- March 13-May 10th 2026

parks.cityofomaha.org/programming-special-event/

Click to register

Young Writers Workshops-UNL campus

Events & Contests, Other Events & Contests

Each summer, the Nebraska Writing Project helps host multiple writing camps and workshops for the young writers of Nebraska. And registration is now open for all! We encourage your students and family to register and join us for a summer full of writing!

**Young Writers Camp

Grades 8-12

Dates: July 13 – 24, M-F, 10am – 1pm

The Young Writers Camp offers a two-week program (Monday through Friday, 10am-1pm) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We offer workshops in slam poetry, fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery, song-writing, poetry, memoir, and screen writing! Young writers work with professional writers, professors, teachers, and undergraduate interns! For grades 8-12

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK: https://newp.unl.edu/youth-and-community/young-writers-camp/ 

***I Love to Write Workshop 1

ages 7-11:  June 1-5: 8:30 – 11 AM

***I Love to Write Workshop 2

For ages 12-15:  June 1-5: 12:30 – 3 PM

The I Love to Write/We Love to Write Workshops are a series of summer writing workshops for youth and families to write in a supportive environment. This year’s workshops will focus on a variety of writing styles, strategies, genres and activities. Sessions will meet on the UNL Campus for a week in June. The Celebration of Writers Ceremony is held on the Saturday at the end of the week. These workshops are led by Sandra Peter and Susan Dinsdale, experienced teachers of writing, and the camp is sponsored by the Nebraska Writing Project

***We Love to Write

(students ages 7-15 and their families or special adults)

June 1-5: 4 – 6:30 PM

TO REGISTER, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK (or visit the Nebraska Writing Project Webpage): https://newp.unl.edu/youth-and-community/i-love-write-we-love-write/

Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, & Environment Calendar Design Contest

Events & Contests, Other Events & Contests

Recycling, composting, and keeping litter in its place are among the many ways we keep Nebraska clean.

The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment is inviting students to put their talents to good use by submitting a drawing for the 2027 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” calendar.  We’re looking for drawings that demonstrate the importance of good environmental practices and tips on reducing waste, recycling, and protecting Nebraska’s air, land, and water.

Theme-Create a drawing or painting that shows how we can keep Nebraska clean by recycling, composting, properly disposing of household hazardous waste (like old paint and cleaning products), cleaning up litter, and any other activity that will keep our air, land, and water clean.

Who: Students K-12 in Nebraska

Due Date: May 1, 2026

Artwork Info: Submit all artwork on 8 ½” x 11” unlined white paper in a landscape, or horizontal, orientation.  Please use tape (no staples or glue) to attach the label. Each piece of artwork must have a label! Mail your artwork flat—do not fold. Entries become the property of DWEE and will not be returned. Artwork may be used for promotional purposes. Fill out this Entry Label.pdf  and attach to the back of your artwork.

Media

Markers, watercolors, tempera, oils, crayons, chalk, acrylic, or colored pencils (no pen and ink, please) are accepted.

Main Contest Webpage

Additional Guidelines

2026 Winners

If your artwork is chosen for the calendar, you will:

  • Have your artwork, name and school’s name featured on a page of the calendar;
  • Be invited to an awards presentation at the State Capitol in Lincoln;
  • Receive copies of the calendar to share with family and friends; and
  • Help educate others about how to protect our environment.
Winners of the 2026 calendar contest were recognized in a ceremony at the Capitol on July 24, 2025.