All posts by Katie Sindt

#71: All About Art!

Early Enrichment

The National Gallery of Art, located in Washington, D.C.  is an art museum that preserves, collects, exhibits, and studies Western art, from the Middle Ages to the present, and is free to the public. Explore and learn about some of the most famous works from the National Gallery’s collection, make your own art, and share it with friends!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your early enrichment mini spark recording page:#71: All About Art!

2. Read this paragraph about the National Gallery of Art and add 3 details to your recording page.

The museum was founded in 1937 when the financier and philanthropist, Andrew W. Mellon, donated to the government a collection of paintings by European masters and a large sum of money to construct the gallery’s building, which was created by the architect John Russell Pope and opened in 1941.
The National Gallery now holds a very large collection of European and American paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and graphic works from the 12th to the 20th century. The museum has especially amazing holdings of works by Italian Renaissance painters, as well as by Dutch and Spanish Baroque and French Rococo artists.

3. Why are Art museums important? According to the National Art Education Association, art museum learning is a fundamental component to a high quality, effective, and balanced education. Plus, it’s fun to look at art!! What do you like about looking at art? Add a few ideas to your recording sheet.

4. Check out the famous works of art below that are located in the National Gallery of Art! Click on the name of the art and you will go to an information page. If you click on the words “image description” there is more information about the art. Record 2 details about the art on your recording page.

 

 

Georgia O’Keeffe Shell No.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pablo Picasso  Family of Saltimbanques

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leonardo da Vinci Ginevra de’ Benci

 

 

 

Louise Bourgeois Spider 

 

 

 

 

5. Now, you can discover the world of art in a fun and easy way. Explore and learn about some of the most famous works from the National Gallery’s collection, make your own art, and share it with friends at Paint -n- Play. Take a screenshot of your creation and add it to your recording page.

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

Check out the Paint and Play mini spark where you can create your own art inspired by one of the pieces from the National Gallery of Art.

#61: Dia de los Muertos

Social Studies Enrichment

Source: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/day-of-the-dead

Many of you are VERY excited that Halloween is coming up? But, did you know that Halloween (or All Hallow’s Eve) is the night before Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)? The celebrations for each culture are woven together in interesting ways!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies spark recording page: #61: Dia de los Muertos

2. Read the following information and record 8-10 pieces of information on your recording page.

Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls’ Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s. The holiday, which is celebrated mostly in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd, is like a family reunion—except dead ancestors are the guests of honor. Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory.

First, people set up a candlelit altar in their homes so spirits can find their way back to their relatives. The altar also offers some of the favorite foods of the deceased—just in case they get hungry. Items that were important to the ancestors when they were alive, such as a favorite book or musical instrument, are placed on the altar as well.

Then it’s off to the graveyard for a big party. Families bring a huge feast to eat while they clean tombstones, sing songs, and talk to their ancestors. Parents might even introduce a baby to a grandparent who died before the baby was born.

And don’t forget the skeletons. During Day of the Dead, life-size papier-mâché skeletons and miniature plastic or clay skeletons are everywhere. Why? Mexicans honor their ancestors on Day of the Dead, but they’re also reminding themselves that death is just a part of life. Hanging out with skeletons reminds people that one day they will be skeletons—but not for a very long time!

The skeletons are posed doing all sorts of wacky things, such as playing guitar, taking a bath, or making tortillas. Apparently people aren’t the only ones who get to have fun on Day of the Dead!

3. Look over the pictures at National Geographic Kids. Choose one of the pictures and describe it in detail using 3-5 sentences.

4. Some of you may have seen the Disney movie, Coco! Click on the video below to see how Coco honors Dia de los Muertos. Watch the clip carefully. Write down 3 things you liked about the clip. Explain why you liked each thing. Write 2 suggestions for how the clip could be improved.

5. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#69: Dinosaur Facts

Early Enrichment

Did you know that dinosaurs are related to birds? Or that the biggest dinosaurs had hollow bones?

Spark your thinking!

1.  Set up your Early Enrichment Mini Spark recording page: #69: Dinosaur Facts

2. Dinosaurs are a group of reptiles that have lived on Earth for about 245 million years. In 1842, the English naturalist Sir Richard Owen coined the term Dinosauria, derived from the Greek deinos, meaning “fearfully great,” and sauros, meaning “lizard.” Dinosaur fossils have been found on all seven continents! Record the bolded information on your recording page.

3. There are all kinds of fun facts about dinosaurs! And, there are so many types of dinosaurs scientists are learning about! Choose a dinosaur read about at National Geographic Kids. Record the name of the dinosaur and 5 facts from the article.

4. Watch and learn fun facts about dinosaurs. At the end of the video there is a review. Pause the video and  write the answers on your recording page then unpause your video and check your answer.

5. Share your Early Enrichment Mini Spark recording page with your teacher or EY Coordinator.

Did you that there are two digital badges about dinosaurs? Check them out at the EY website.

#58: Ancient Origins of Halloween

Social Studies Enrichment

Halloween evolved from the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain. Over the centuries, Halloween transitioned from a pagan ritual to a day of parties, costumes, jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating for kids and adults.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies spark recording page: #48: Ancient Origins of Halloween

2. Read this information page about Halloween’s History. Record any details that were new to your on your recording sheet.

3. Based on this information, you can see that traditions cover centuries and adapt to the changing times. What Halloween or Fall traditions does your family practice? Write a response on your recording sheet.

4. Do some research and record what you find on your recording sheet. Feel free to record any other Halloween details that you find.

  •  Why are black and orange tied to Halloween?
  • Why do we see Jack O’ Lanterns at Halloween
  • What does candy corn pop up at the stores around Halloween?

5. Share your social studies mini spark recording page  your teacher/EY coordinator.

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween

# 64: Earthquake Lesson

Early Enrichment

What do you know about earthquakes?  Let’s find out!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your early enrichment mini spark recording page # 64: Earthquake Lesson

2. Read this teaching page written by an earthquake. If a word is bold, record it on your recording page.

Greetings! I am an Earthquake.
I usually occur at the edge of tectonic plates, which are the outer layer of the Earth. Made of rock, these plates are constantly on the move.

My Trigger: Getting Stuck!
I happen when the tectonic plates get stuck but continue to try to move. As they remain stuck, pressure builds up until I can finally break free with a sudden movement!

Foreshocks: My Warning Signals!
Before I make my grand entrance, I sometimes send foreshocks your way. These are smaller earthquakes that occur before the main event, which is known as the main shock. Scientists can use these signals to predict when I might arrive.

Aftershocks: My Echoes!
Once I’ve made my appearance, aftershocks usually follow. These are smaller earthquakes that occur after the main one, as the Earth’s crust adjusts to the changes I’ve caused. They can be very dangerous, especially if buildings are already damaged from my initial impact.

My Seismic Waves!
The shock waves I create as I move through the ground are called seismic waves. They are strongest at the center of my occurrence and travel to the surface, causing the ground to shake and leading to destruction.

Measuring My Strength!
Scientists use the Moment magnitude scale to measure my strength. This scale accurately measures the energy I release. In the past, they relied on the Richter scale, which measured the size of my seismic waves but wasn’t as precise.

My Birthplace: The Hypocenter!
I always start somewhere underground, and that place is known as the hypocenter. It’s the hidden origin of my power.

The Epicenter: My Surface Spot!
The point directly above my hypocenter on the ground is called the epicenter. The difference is clear: the hypocenter is underground, while the epicenter is above, where the effects are felt most.

My Record-Breaking Event!
The strongest earthquake ever recorded was in Chile in 1960, measuring 9.5 on the Moment Magnitude scale—an extremely high value! I lasted for a full 10 minutes, leaving a significant mark.

My Frequent Home: Japan!
I tend to occur most often in Japan, located within ‘The Pacific Ring of Fire,’ which sits at the edge of the Pacific Ocean where tectonic plates meet. Other countries affected by my presence include the Philippines, the United States, Chile, and more.

3. Which of these 10 facts surprised you the most?

4. Write a 5 question quiz about earthquakes. Make an answer key as well.

5. Share your early enrichment mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Natural Disaster Reporter Badge at the EY Website.

 

 

 

 

#53: Constitution Day

Social Studies Enrichment

Constitution Day, which is celebrated every year on September 17th, commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. 

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #53: Constitution Day

2. Watch these two videos. Explain the constitution in 3 sentences.

3. Make a 5 question quiz with an answer key to go along with the two videos. 

4. Go to this link to take a quiz. Add your score on your recording page.

5. Share your social studies mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#62: Comets

Early Enrichment

Comets are large objects made of dust and ice that orbit the Sun. Scientists believe that comets are made up of material left over from when the Sun and the planets were formed. They think that about 100,000 million comets orbit the Sun. Some comets orbit the Sun like planets. Their orbits take them very close to and very far away from the Sun.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your early enrichment mini spark recording page #62: Comets

2. As of 2021 only about 4,584  comets have officially been cataloged, a number that is steadily increasing as they are discovered. However, this represents only a tiny fraction of the total potential comet population, as the number of comet-like bodies in the outer Solar System is estimated to be one trillion. That’s a LOT!  Write the number one trillion on your recording page.

3. Learn more about comets by watching the video below. Write 3 facts about comets on your recording page.

4. Go to this link and watch a short video to learn more about comet tails. Draw a picture of a comet tail on your recording page.

5. Share your early enrichment mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#52: The Acropolis

Social Studies Enrichment

Ancient cities were often built around a fortress on top of a hill. When a city spread to the area below, the high part came to be called the acropolis, which means “city at the top” in Greek. The best-known acropolis is in Athens, Greece.  The Acropolis of Athens contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #52: The Acropolis

2. Watch this introduction video and respond to this prompt: Why was it important to the Greeks to have a location high above the city? 

 

3.  You will go on a virtual tour of the Acropolis of Athens. The Virtual Tour of the Acropolis highlights the most prominent monuments. Record these 4 monuments on your recording sheet: The Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Leave room so you can record 3-4 details about each one.

4.  Watch this introduction video.

Go to https://www.acropolisvirtualtour.gr/ to start your tour. Add details on your recording sheet for each monument.

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

Check out the Greek Mythology badges at the EY website.

#51: Write About Ancient Adventures

Other Events & Contests, Social Studies Enrichment

Take the excitement of history and mix it with your imagination to create ancient adventures! You can pick any person, place or event from history to inspire your mini-saga, a story told in just 100 words that must have a beginning, a middle & an ending.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page:#51: Write About Ancient Adventures.

2. Watch this introduction video about a writing contest that was held last year. It isn’t open for submissions at this time, but you can earn this social studies mini spark by creating your own mini story. Make a list of  at least 5 of the topics suggested in the video.

3. Check out some examples of other students’ mini-sagas!  Read 3 of these stories. Choose your favorite and on your recording sheet explain what made it stand out.

4. From discovering a pharaoh’s tomb, or a soldier in the trenches, to being a president or an explorer it’s a great way to tie in creative writing with history to have a bit of fun, and to create an original short story.  Which era or person will get your creativity flowing? Look at this planning page and write your plan on your recording page.   ***Note-Your teacher may choose a topic for you. 

5. Download or print this graphic organizer help you keep track of your word count. 

6. Choose one topic, and write your mini saga. You can be inspired by other stories, but your mini-saga must be written in your own words.

7. Add a copy of your story to your recording page.

8. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and your story, if you wrote it on the graphic organizer, with your teacher/EY coordinator.