All posts by Katie Sindt

Early Enrichment Mini-Spark #48: Pipe Cleaner Superheroes!

Source: https://frugalfun4boys.com/pipe-cleaner-superheroes

If you are a superhero fan, you will not want to miss this awesome craft! You will have a blast creating your own jointed and posable superheroes out of very simple materials. Pipe cleaners, straws, beads… You probably have most (if not all) of the supplies on hand!

First, grab your supplies:

  • Pipe cleaners
  • Felt, for capes
  • Straws – we used paper straws, but regular straws are just fine (and much cheaper)
  • Googly eyes
  • Pony beads
  • Wooden beads – we used 3/4 inch diameter beads
  • Tacky Glue
  • Hot glue
  • Scissors
  • Markers – we used Sharpie oil based paint markers. They bleed less on wood than regular Sharpies.

Step 1: Start by drawing hair and superhero masks on the wooden beads.

Step 2: Glue on googly eyes – SO CUTE! Then draw a little mouth.     

Step 3: Grab three pipe cleaners. Twist them together in the middle. I found that three “twists” was enough to hold them securely together. Then adjust them so that they are in the arrangement shown.

Step 4: Slide three pony beads onto BOTH of the bottom two pipe cleaners. This will form the body.

Step 5: Cut a straw into 8 one inch segments. (Or feel free to adjust the size!) We found that we could get 7 segments out of each straw, so you’ll need two straws per superhero, with quite a bit left over.

Step 6: Build each limb by sliding on a straw segment, then a pony bead, then another straw segment.

Step 7: Bend the ends of the pipe cleaners into hands and feet. I found that it helps to wrap some of the excess around the wrist or ankle to make it secure. Then trim off any excess ends.

Step 8: Slide the head onto the final two pipe cleaners. Then trim off the excess.

Step 9: To make the head more secure, attach it with Tacky Glue. Squirt some glue onto the pipe cleaners. Then slide the head on. We had a little bit of glue ooze out at the bottom of the head. Just wipe off the excess with a paper towel.
Step 10: Cut out a cape from felt and use hot glue to attach it to the backs of the arm segments.
In the comments below, share a picture of YOUR Pipe Cleaner Superhero!
**Extra challenge**: Write a story with your Pipe Cleaner Superhero (or heroes) as your main character. Share the story with the EY Coordinator at your building!

Early Enrichment Mini-Spark #47: Moving Mammals!

Mammals are everywhere—from the Arctic ice to the driest of deserts. They live on land, in the open ocean, and underground. With more than 5,400 species, mammals move in all kinds of ways. They walk, hop, gallop, and swing from trees. They swim, dive, glide, and even fly!

Go to this website to check out how bats, bears, dolphins, gazelles, gibbons, and/or kangaroos move and learn some fun facts about each!

In the comments below, write down something you learned!

Social Studies Mini-Spark #37: Constitution Day!

CONSTITUTION DAY – SEPTEMBER 17TH!

Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day, is observed every year on September 17th to commemorate the signing of the US Constitution. The constitution was created more than 200 years ago in 1787,  and contains the highest rules and laws for the United States. Do you know how many people signed the US Constitution? See if you can find out and add the number in the comments below!

Go here to learn more about the US Constitution!

Watch this awesome Schoolhouse Rock video about the Constitution to celebrate Constitution Day!

Social Studies Mini-Spark #36: Alexander Hamilton – Washington’s Right-Hand Man

If you watched “Hamilton” on Disney+, or are lucky enough to have seen it in-person, you know that Alexander Hamilton was an important founding father who probably doesn’t get enough credit for his role in our history.

Go to this link and watch 2 short videos to learn more about how Hamilton and George Washington’s relationship became key  to the American victory in the Revolutionary War. Then, in the comments section, answer the following question:

How did Alexander Hamilton and George Washington benefit each other in their relationship during the Revolutionary War?

L. Arts Mini-Spark #46: Like to Read? Check out Tween Tribune!

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Are you an enthusiastic reader who likes to read current event articles from a variety of sources? Check out…………Tween Tribune!

Tween Tribune consists of daily news sites and includes text, photos, graphics, and audio and/or video materials prepared by the Smithsonian and others about current events, history, art, culture and science.

It’s easy find articles:

Go to newsela via clever.

Select a Grade Level at the top (K-4, 5-8, or 9-12)

Scan the articles and select one to read.

Create a reading log in docs or pages to keep track of the articles you will read to earn this mini spark

  1. Add your name, grade and school (Trevor, 3, Sunset)

2. Put the name of the article at the top of the page

3. Summarize the article and type a question you have after reading the article

4. Answer the Critical Thinking Challenge and add your score.

Repeat this process for 3 4 5 6 articles depending on your grade level.

Gr 3 reads 3, Gr 4 read 4 and so on.

Submit all work to your teacher or EY coordinator.

 

 

Social Studies Mini-Spark #35: The History of Pandemics

The word “Pandemic” is a pretty scary word. It almost seems like we’re going through something that no one else ever has before.

But, that isn’t true. Pandemics have existed throughout history.

A group of mask-wearing citizens, Locust Avenue, California, during the flu pandemic of 1918. Photograph: Raymond Coyne/Courtesy of Lucretia Little History Room, Mill Valley Public Library. © The Annual Dipsea Race.

To learn about the history of pandemics, read the Time For Kids article linked below:

https://www.timeforkids.com/g34/history-pandemics/

Then, in the comments below, write the one thing you feel has changed the most for you during this particular Covid-19 pandemic.

Social Studies Mini-Spark #34: The San Diego Zoo

Do you know where San Diego, California is? It’s waaaaaaay at the bottom of California – check it out on the map below:

San Diego has an incredible zoo, and they have a website full of animals and activities to check out! You can meet and learn about just about any animal!

Visit the San Diego Zoo!

There are cool videos and even live cams of the animals!

This website can even help you earn an EY digital badge!

Check out Save the Animals or Roaring Keynote!

L. Arts Mini-Spark #45: Khan Academy Reading Comprehension Practice!

Did you know that Khan Academy just released the first version of reading comprehension practice on Khan Academy? And, it is grouped by grade level:

Khan Academy recommends starting at your grade level and doing 1-2 practice sets per day (or 10 practice sets per week). This should take about 10-20 minutes per day.  If you find it difficult, completely okay to start at an earlier grade level. Likewise, if you find the passages and questions to be easy, feel free to move to higher grade levels. 

Khan Academy also has a grammar section: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/grammar

Khan recommends starting by taking the course challenge a few times to figure out what you know and don’t know.

This is a great way to practice reading comprehension & grammar while you’re learning at home!  Challenge yourselves! Enjoy!

Imagineering In A Box!

Source: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/

Walt Disney Imagineering Partners With Khan Academy To Bring You ‘Imagineering in a Box’

Imagineering fans, get ready! If you’ve ever been one of many guests who’s visited a Disney theme park and found yourself inspired to dream, build and create, there’s a new online program you just can’t miss!

Imagineering in a Box’ is a free online program that brings together the diverse talents of Disney Imagineers around the world for a one-of-a-kind learning experience and is part of Disney’s commitment to helping today’s youth create the future they imagine.

The series offers 32 videos in which Imagineers share how they use a wide range of skills – from story development and conceptual design, to math, physics and engineering – to create immersive experiences. The online curriculum aims to ignite curiosity, inspire creativity, and encourage innovation in the minds of students and teachers alike, while creating fun and engaging opportunities to explore new concepts.

Modules range from a tutorial on engineering software, to an interactive exercise where learners are encouraged to gather items around them and create something new. The program’s hands-on components will allow students to relate new concepts to real-world examples to bring treasured Disney stories to life. Each activity is designed to be scalable, allowing individuals to learn on their own or in a classroom setting.

Click here to get started!