All posts by Jenny Henningsen

#18: Make a flip book

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities

A flip book is a small booklet containing a sequence of images that gradually change from one page to the next. When the pages are turned quickly, they create the illusion of motion.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #79: Peter Reynolds

2. Print this instruction page or open it up on your ipad.  Read all of the information.

How does the flip book work? Why 24 pages? What is the patent history for this toy? Record this information on your recording sheet.

3. Watch this video

4.   He outlines several different ideas.  Watch the video to get an idea of how to get started

5. On your recording page write down the materials you will need and the idea you will use for your story.

6. Gather the materials and add a picture to your recording page.

6. If you want to use your ipad for a light source, watch this tutorial

7. Make your 24 paged flip book. Add a picture of some of the pages to your recording page.

8. Have a friend take a video of your flip book in action.

9. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and video with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 

Calling all comic artists!

Other Events & Contests

 

ART CONTEST Grades 2–6

Jeff Kinney Design-a-Character-Contest

Due Date for Entries: April 30, 2016

Ten (10) Grand-Prize Winners will receive an original illustration by Jeff Kinney and a Wimpy Kid Prize Pack.

Ten (10) Runners-Up will each receive a Wimpy Kid Prize Pack.

Draw your own comic character. Include a speech bubble with some details about your character.

All entries must include student’s name, age, and grade; and teacher’s name, school name, address, and phone number.

Send entries to:
Jeff Kinney Design-a-Character Contest
P.O. Box 714
New York, NY 10013-0714

https://clubs2.scholastic.com/?fileName=contests-and-programs

Stumper of the Week #8

Nordquist Blog

Auric-Threshold

June 28, 1921

On this day in history, bridge builder Joseph Strauss submits his finished plans for the Golden Gate Bridge to city officials in San Francisco.  Some people worry that the bridge will spoil the natural beauty of the landscape.  After spending a dozen years convincing people that the bridge should be built, Strauss noted, “The value of an idea depends not only on the sweat you put into thinking it up, but also on the sweat you put into getting people to accept it.”  The Golden Gate Bridge is famous not only for its beauty but also for its span of 4,200 feet.

Challenge:  With your teacher’s permission, measure the longest hallway in your school and figure out how many times the hallway could be laid end to end on the span of the Golden Gate Bridge.  You could also do this with a hallway at home and compare.  Email Ms. Skaggs with your findings!

Day-By-Day Math  Susan Ohanian  Math Solutions Publications  2000

#17: Science Simulations

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities

Have you ever wondered how an atom is created?  Or maybe you find yourself wondering how energy forms and changes.  Do building fractions and creating creatures from area formulas excite you?  Then this simulation website is for you!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #17: Science Simulations

2. PhET Simulations is an interactive website full of simulations that introduce you to many different areas of math and science such as force and motion, energy forms and changes, the Greenhouse Effect, Glaciers, and more! Watch this tutorial that shows you how to find the different  simulations. On your recording page, describe the static electricity simulation.

3. Click here to get started on your own simulation journey!  The site has the simulations divided into 5 categories. Record the main topics that you can explore on your recording page.

4.  Set your timer for 10 minutes. Explore the site and try out some of the options.

*Be sure to hold your iPad horizontally while working with the simulations.*

5. What was your favorite simulation? Write a paragraph explaining the simulation.

6. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator

#16: Eggstraordinary Experiment

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities

For this Mini Spark we are going back to the beginning…of STEAM that is.  So in honor of the “S,” try this egg science experiment. It take 7 days to do, so it might be one you try at home. You can also talk to your teacher about setting it up at school.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #16: Eggstraordinary Experiment

 2. This mini spark teaches you how to do the  The Dissolving Egg Shell & Bouncing Egg Experiment. This experiment is simple, you place eggs in water and also eggs in vinegar. It involves a lot of observation and the results are really interesting to watch. You will set up your experiment and do 4 reflections on your recording page.

3. Reflection 1: To start with, take time to reflect on what you think will happen when the eggs are put into the vinegar and water.  Make a note of your reflection on your recording page.
4. Gather your materials. Take a picture and add it to your recording sheet.

What You Need:

  • eggs
  • (we used raw eggs – 2 brown & 2 white)
  • vinegar
  • water
  • clear cups

5. Set up your experiment. Take a picture and add it to your recording page.

  • Set up 4 clear cups.
  • Put 1 egg into each cup.
  • Add vinegar to 1 of each cup containing a white & brown egg.
  • Add water to the other 2 cups.
  • The eggs should be covered completely by each liquid.
  • Observe

 

The Dissolving Egg Shell & Bouncing Egg Experiment

Day 1 Reflection 2:

What do you notice happening in the 2 cups?

Can you explain why these things are happening? This might require some research to answer. Add your responses to your recording sheet.
A few hours later…
Reflection 3:
What do you notice about the egg in each cup?
Do you have a hypothesis as to why this is happening? (again, you may have to do a little research)
Write a prediction about what you think will happen to all 4 eggs at the end of 7 days?
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 5:
Day 7:

End of Experiment – Day 7: Reflection 4:

What has happened to the eggs?
Test your eggs to get more information by dropping them on a protected surface (adult approved of course).
What observations did you make?
 
And Now, The Science:
What is the chemical reaction that is taking place in this experiment?
Why does this happen?
How could you change this experiment to learn more about this reaction?
You can read the info at the top of this page to help you answer these questions.
or
This video explains some of the science. Watch it to help you answer the questions above.

6. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator
Adapted from http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/

Stumper of the Week #5

Nordquist Blog

bird

6-themes.com

Math Starters and Stumpers by Marcy Cook

Seagulls were on the beach when a boat horn scared them.  Half the number flew away but one returned.  Another blast made half the number fly away, but one returned.  If the number of seagulls at the end is equal to the beginning number, how many seagulls were there?

Email Ms. Skaggs to check your answer!

 

#14: Can we build a wooden skyscraper?

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities, Other Events & Contests

Rising to a height of 85 meters in the Norwegian landscape, Mjøstårnet holds the title of the tallest wooden building in the world, constructed primarily from timber sourced from nearby forests. However, not long ago, towards the close of the 20th century, engineers believed that erecting a wooden structure taller than six stories was unfeasible. What, then, are the differences between wooden constructions like this and skyscrapers made of steel and concrete? Stefan Al explores this question.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #14: Can we build a wooden skyscraper?

2. Listen to how Mjøstårnet is pronounced. Whisper say it 10 times.

3. Watch this TED Ed video. Record 5 terms from the video with the definition on your recording sheet.

4. Choose 5 of these questions to answer on your recording page. **Reminder for your teacher that the answers can be found in the STEAM mini spark folder.

  • Explain how Mjøstårnet blends into the Norwegian countryside.
  • Describe the main types of engineered wood mentioned in the transcript and their functions.
  • What significant invention in the 1890s changed the way wooden buildings could be constructed?
  • How does cross-laminated timber (CLT) differ in construction from traditional lumber?
  • What are some advantages of using CLT and glulam in building construction compared to concrete?
  • Discuss how engineered wood materials like CLT and glulam contribute to environmental sustainability.
  • Why is it mentioned that Mjøstårnet is not made entirely of wood?
  • How do engineered wood materials perform in terms of fire safety compared to steel?
  • What impact could using wooden materials have on the carbon footprint of buildings?

5. Read this post from Guinness World Record. On your recording page, list 5-10 facts about Mjøstårnet.

6. Share your mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.