Math League
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All posts by Jenny Henningsen
#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.
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. Follow these bulleted points to write your own weather Haiku Poem.
- Example topic : weather
- Example words : rain, clouds, soft breezes.
- Choose the words that you like from this list and start working on arranging those into your poem with other filler words.
- Count the syllables
- Put them together using the pattern.
7. Choose a your topic or theme (nature, sports, family, school, friendship, etc.) and brainstorm a list of many words related to your topic.
8. Write 2 or 3 haiku style poems about the topic/theme you picked out.
Follow the 5-7-5 pattern
9. OPTIONAL Draw an illustration for one of the poems.
10. Send your work to the EY coordinator in your building.
Image : http://heightstechnology.edublogs.org/files/2010/10/cloud-205bdge.jpg
Money Confident Kids Writing Contest
Learn about spending, saving, and setting smart financial goals by participating in this Money Confident Kids Website http://www.scholastic.com/mck/
Essay Prompt:
Discover and describe a true story of a time when your parent or guardian set a financial goal and then
achieved it. Include: the goal; a description of the spending and saving choices that were made to achieve the goal; and lessons that you can apply to your own future financial decisions
Here’s how it works:
1. Read an issue of Money Confident kids- Click here for an issue of Money Confident Kids
2. INTERVIEW a parent or guardian about money
management.
3 . ASK about a time when he or she set a financial
goal and then made saving and spending choices to
achieve it.
4. WRITE a 200 – to 250 -word essay (based on your
interview) that describes the true story of achievement,
and what lessons you can apply to your own future
financial decisions.
Optional: Consider including a photo or drawing
with your essay!
5. ****CONTEST CLOSED*******
Submit to the EY coordinator in your building by October 1st, 2015
Click here for more information about the process, prizes and to find the entry form for the contest.
If you read the magazine, conduct an interview, and write an essay and would like to enter it in this contest, please fill out the entry form and send it to the EY coordinator in your school by Oct 1st. If you need help with getting the permission form printed out, or any part of this contest, please contact the EY coordinator at your school.
Contest Presented by T. Rowe Price
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
A New Adventure!
As summer draws to a close, the adventure of a new school year awaits! I am so excited for all that this year will bring! From seminars and competitions, to small group meetings and blogging, there will be a lot of enrichment going on!
I will continue to be at Oakdale and Westbrook this year, and will split my days in order to be at each school on a daily basis. This is exciting for me as I will be able to check in with students more consistently. We are on a 4 day rotation this year, which is similar to the other specialists in the district. If you would like more information, check out our EY calendar here.
The beginning of the school year is always exciting as so many opportunities await! Students, please explore the blog and take advantage of the many seminar and event opportunities that will be presented. Parents, please encourage your students to take part in these things and inquire as to what opportunities they have participated in. Don’t ever hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns. Together we will make this a fantastic year!
#6: Book Spine Poem
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #6: Book Spine Poem
2. Have you heard of “a book spine poem?” It’s a kind of poetry that you don’t really write from scratch – instead, you “find” it by arranging book titles to make a poem. This type of poem can be serious or funny, just like in regular poetry. Write the poems you see her on your recording page.
3. Watch this video to see the process. Record 3-5 details from the video.
4. Okay, ready to make your own book spine poetry?
- You need is a stack of at least 8 books with interesting titles from around the house, your classroom, or your school library.
- Place a few books on top of each other.
- Play around with the titles to create a short poem, words that create an image, feeling or scenes.
- Write down the titles when you find a combination you like.
- As you write down titles, you might notice some that seem to go together to tell a funny or interesting story. Switch them around to get a poem you like.
- If you are doing a digital recording page, also take a picture of your work in progress
5. Keep working on your final project. Your finished spine poems should have at least 4 book titles included. Document your poem by taking a picture and adding it to your recording page or typing the titles in a poem format.
6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
Lesson adapted from :http://www.brainpickings.org/tag/book-spine-poetry/ and http://www.pbs.org/parents/adventures-in-learning/2015/04/book-spine-poetry/
Early Enrichment #1: Pebble Go or Pebble Go Next
EXPLORE ANIMALS, FAMOUS PEOPLE, SOCIAL STUDIES, and DINOSAURS
Do love to learn new things? Pebble Go or Pebble GO Next is your go-to for facts, pictures, videos, and games!
- Choose a topic to learn about
- Learn 10 things
- After doing research at Pebble Go, create a pic collage, apple clip, explaineEverything, or your favorite presentation tool to share your findings.
- Share this presentation with your teacher. Respond to this post and share what topic you choose to research.