All posts by lspady

2020-21 Weekly Challenge #16: Intro to Opera

Current Challenge, Uncategorized

Art requires creativity and imagination and enhances flexibility, adaptability, productivity, responsibility and innovation – all required skills for a successful career in any field of study.  
The ‘A’ in STEAM represents ‘Art’ which includes music.

source: https://sproutsupplies.com/blog/steam-the-importance-of-art-in-stem-education/

For this week’s Weekly Challenge, you’ll have an opportunity to explore the world of opera.  There are several different learning choices.  Pick as many activities as you’d like and then demonstrate your learning by creating a product.

You are welcome to find other resources of your own.  Have fun!

Submit Your Work Here: https://forms.gle/UmK5n4AXx9V5gpG78

NOTE:  There is a Marvelous World of Opera badge available if you’re interested.  Get a copy of the recording sheet here: https://sites.google.com/westside66.net/eybadgepage/fine-arts-badges?authuser=0

#80 Problem Solving PicCollage

Math Mini Sparks

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #80 Problem Solving PicCollage.       
  2. Pick a problem      Problem A      Problem B       Problem C
  3. Complete the problem
  4. Create a PicCollage with the problem, your work, and your final answer.
  5. Ask your EY teacher to correct your work. Solutions are in the mini spark folder.
  6. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Frog Dissection Workshop January 27

MS Learning Opportunities

Grab some gloves and participate in this unforgettable hands-on class to uniquely explore the anatomy found in a frog. Learn to use the equipment properly and discover animal needs and identify organs with step-by-step directions.

Who:  7th and 8th Graders (I have room for 24 students-in person and EC students welcome)

Where & When:  In person students will meet in Dr. Bruner’s room from 9-11 am on Jan. 27.  EC learners will need to pick up materials at WMS prior to the 27th and will participate via WebEx from 9-11 am on Jan. 27

Sign up now using this Google Form: https://forms.gle/gwyicBYruKQtBbGQ8

Signups will be accepted until Friday, January 15.

In the meantime, check out this website.  I didn’t check all the links nor am I sure that they are all open with your school laptop, but I wanted to give you this resource to explore.

Online Dissection Resources: https://www.navs.org/additional-information/bioleap-dissection-alternatives/free-online-dissection-resources/#.X_TehulKg0o

Storytelling Workshop – January 20

MS Learning Opportunities, Uncategorized

Image Source: http://clipart-library.com/clipart/53061.htm

In this half-day workshop, participants will explore the basics of acting, using the natural tools of voice and body, as well as integrating technology to engage in dynamic storytelling. Students will learn how to develop character through movement, sound, and visual composition. By using creativity, self-assessment, and constructive dialogue, students will discover their own unique theatrical narrative style. Contemporary text, improvisation, and personal writing will challenge each student to reach beyond their limits, in order to honestly and joyfully search for their character and story.

Sign up now!  https://forms.gle/dZ8fE8goDk2hWWgx7

#56:Word Art

Reading Enrichment

WordArt.com is an online word cloud generator that enables you to create amazing and unique word clouds with ease.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page #56: Word Art.

2. Look over this example.

3. Decide what you would like to use as a topic for your word art. Record your choice on your recording sheet.

Some ideas for your Word Art:

  • Type on word but in different languages
  • Type the things you are thankful for
  • Type your favorites (food, music, color, artist, subject, etc.)
  • Type in the names of your favorite books/characters
  • Type in words associated with your favorite seasons
  • Type words about a history or science topic that you are interested in

4. Create a piece of word art using the following website:  https://wordart.com/

5. Add a screenshot of your art to your recording page or print it out.

6. Create a second piece of word art with a different theme. Use the same website and experiment with different shapes, fonts, colors, etc. Add a screenshot of your art to your recording page or print it out.

7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and your art with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#48: Make a Crystal

Full STEAM Ahead

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #48: Make a Crystal

2.  Watch this video that shows the steps for making a crystal.

3. Gather your materials. Take a picture and add it to your recording page.

  • measuring spoon
  • colored pencil
  • pipe cleaner
  • hot water
  • food coloring (optional)
  • spoon
  • Borax (Available at grocery stores in the laundry soap section. Use 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster, not Boraxo soap.)
  • a glass or jar

Safety first! Borax can irritate your skin, eyes and lungs, and it can be harmful if you swallow it. Ask a grown-up for help handling borax, and don’t touch your crystal once it’s done

4. Watch the video again and work on your experiment.  Take pictures while you are working and add them to your recording sheet.

5. The following day, take a picture of your crystal and add it to your recording sheet.

6. Read this information and add a summary to your recording sheet.

Understanding Borax Crystals.

Borax is a type of crystal, defined as “a solid with flat sides and a symmetrical shape due to its molecules being arranged in a specific, repeating pattern.” Each crystal exhibits a unique repeating pattern that corresponds to its shape. Crystals can vary in size, but they all share this characteristic structure. Examples of crystals include salt, sugar, and Epsom salts. Salt crystals typically form in a cube shape, while snow crystals display a six-sided design.

How Do Borax Crystals Form?

Hot water can dissolve more borax than cold water. This is because the molecules in heated water spread further apart, allowing more borax to dissolve. When no additional borax can dissolve in the solution, it is considered saturated. As the solution cools, the water molecules come closer together, creating less space for the dissolved borax. This change allows crystals to start forming as the water evaporates and releases the excess borax.

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

#47: STEAM Challenge: Paper

Full STEAM Ahead

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #47: STEAM Challenge: Paper

2. Look over the STEAM challenge.

3. Make a sketch of what your structure will look like and any ideas that you have. Add a picture of your sketch to your recording page.

4. Gather the materials you will need. Ask an adult to help you if necessary.

5.  Take a picture of your supplies before you start. Add the picture to your recording sheet.

6. Take a picture of you final project at add it to your recording sheet. Explain your project,  what you did well on this challenge and where you can improve.

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

# 7: Platypus Study

Science Mini Spark, Uncategorized

Platypuses continue to uphold their status as one of the most unusual animals on the planet. Recent research published in the scientific journal Mammalia reveals that platypus fur emits a bluish-green glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. Only a handful of other mammals possess this ability, and the platypus is the first monotreme— a type of mammal that lays eggs— to demonstrate this phenomenon.

Spark you thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: # 7: Platypus Study

2. Look over this info page and record 5 details on your recording page.

3. Read this article published by Newsela to learn more. Take the quiz after the article, Scroll down carefully as the answers are at the bottom and you don’t want to see them until you are done. Write your answers on your recording page. When you are done, check your work and record your score it on your recording page.

4. Go to this webpage and read more information about the topic.  Take 5 notes on your recording page.

5. Choose 1 of these projects

  • What other animals have biofluorescence? Do research to find out. Create a list of 5.
  • Research scientific sketching. Create a scientific sketch of a platypus. Add a picture to your recording page.

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