All posts by lspady

Science Mini Spark #19 Flamingos with Bad Knees

Read the fact card and other information at National Geographic Kids to review flamingo facts.
Go along with two cute flamingos as they attend their hydrotherapy session to help them heal.  Hydrotherapy is the use of exercises in a pool as part of treatment for conditions such as arthritis or back pain.

 

To earn this Science Mini Spark choose one of these projects to complete
-Write a mini flamingo dairy from the point of view of one of the flamingos from the video. Include 3 entries. Talk about the relationship with the zookeeper, the therapy, as well as the stingray encounter.
-Learn about several species of Flamingos and make a list  of 8-10 facts for each one.
-The flamingos in the video at the zoo have different experiences than flamingos in the wild. Do research and create an information page comparing and contrasting the two groups.  Use this image as a guide.

 

 

Science Mini Spark # 18 What REALLY Happened to the Dodos

What do you know about dodo birds? Record what you know on a page titled “Dodo Information”. Watch the TED Ed video that provides detailed information about these interesting birds.

 

Choose several of these questions to answer in thoughtful sentences. Add the responses to your dodo info page that you started before watching the video. Add any other information that you would like to your dodo information page.
  1. Describe the origin of dodos as explained in the video.
  2. How did dodos adapt to their environment on the island of Mauritius?
  3. Discuss the factors that contributed to the downfall of dodos.
  4. How did human activities, such as the arrival of Dutch sailors, impact the dodo population?
  5. In what ways did the dodo prove to be a survivor on its island home before facing extinction?
  6. How did the introduction of invasive species contribute to the decline of dodos and other Mauritian animals?
  7. Reflecting on the extinction of the dodo, what larger lesson can be learned about human impact on wildlife?

Want to know more?

Take a trip to visit Google arts and Culture and learn more about the dodo.

Language Arts Mini Spark #75-The Fijian myth of Dakuwaqa

Across the Pacific, myths and legends are passed down through oral tradition. The myth of Dakuwaqa is deeply rooted in Fijian culture and serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world, as well as the consequences of greed and disrespect for the environment.

Mini spark project choices

Write a simplified version of this myth for a younger audience.

Read about kids helping sharks.  Write about several of the projects and the kids behind the project.

Research sharks and create an information page about them.

Learn about other myth stories that involve sharks.  Take notes on the information from this article.

 

Science Mini Spark #17 Back to the Moon!

Watch this intro video about Odysseus’ landing that occured in February of 2024. Take detailed notes as you watch.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/us-achieves-first-moon-landing-half-century-with-private-spacecraft-2024-02-23/

If you did not include the idiom mentioned in the video, at the 11th hour, add this information in your notes.

In the video it mentions humans going to Mars and how that has not happened.  Watch this video about this topic.

Write down several reasons explaining why humans have not made the trip to Mars and how going to the moon might help us get there in the future.

 

 

 

Social Studies Spark #56 What Is the Pineapple Express?

This mini spark will introduce your to a current events resource, the World from A-Z, that promotes critical thinking, civil discourse, and compassion in your classroom.

Watch this current events video that will help you understand the Pineapple Express along with many other topics.

Choose several of the prompts below to answer to show what you learn from the A-Z video.

  1. What is the purpose of the light festival in Copenhagen mentioned in the video?
  2. Explain what an atmospheric river is and its impact on California.
  3. How do atmospheric rivers play a role in providing rainfall on the West Coast according to scientists?
  4. Describe the concept of neuralgia discussed in the video.
  5. What potential benefits and concerns are associated with brain computer interfaces like Neuralink?
  6. Share the historical significance of February 6th as mentioned in the video.
  7. How is scorpion venom used in various fields, as explained in the video?
  8. Describe the process of extracting scorpion venom as outlined in the video

Check out more episodes at The World A-Z Video choices 

Link to EY badge-The World from A-Z

Calling All Doodlers! Contest Closes March 14th, 2024

It’s time to start sketching, because this year’s Doodle 4 Google contest is open!

Doodles are the fun, surprising, and sometimes spontaneous changes that are made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists.

K-12 students are invited to bring their imagination to life in a doodle of the Google logo, using any medium they choose.

Check out the contest page to see past winners and to get some ideas! Start working on some sketches.

All information can be found  @ https://doodles.google.com/d4g/.

EY Badge link 

 

Science Mini Spark #16 Why do snowflakes have six sides?

Let’s learn more about the six sided fluffy white stuff that has been flying around!  Watch this video to get started.

 

At this site you can see some snowflakes under a microscope and read about how snowflakes are formed.

To earn this mini spark, create a script where you are interviewing a snowflake. Include 3 or 4 interview with the snowflake providing answers. You can use the questions ideas below as a guide or you can create your own.
  1. What initiates the formation of a snowflake and how does it evolve into a complete snowflake?
  2. Explain the process of crystallization and how it contributes to the symmetrical shape of a snowflake?
  3. Why do snowflakes have six sides?
  4. How does the temperature and humidity of the air influence the basic shape of an ice crystal?
  5. What are the types of ice crystals formed at different temperatures, and what conditions contribute to their formation?
  6. Describe how the atmospheric conditions encountered by an ice crystal affect the intricate shape and arms of a snowflake.
  7. How do the different paths from the sky to the ground influence the unique appearance of individual snowflakes?
  8. What are some of the diverse forms and patterns that individual snowflakes can resemble?
  9. In what ways do slight changes in the surrounding temperature or humidity impact the growth and direction of the arms of a snowflake?

Social Studies Spark #55 The Largest River in Our World is in the Sky!

Learn about the Amazon Rainforest and how the Wampís Nation has been protecting the forest and the largest river in the world. Watch the video and keep track of all of the positive ways the Wampís people are helping our world.

To earn the mini spark, imagine you are a scientist studying the Amazon rainforest. Write a  journal entry describing the incredible biodiversity you have observed and explain why it is important to protect this unique ecosystem. Please use include these words in your journal entry.

  • Ecosystem: A community of living organisms, along with their non-living environment, interacting as a system.
  • Biodiversity: The variety of living organisms in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
  • Indigenous: Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.