All posts by lspady

2020-21 Weekly Challenge #15: Snowflakes

Current Challenge, Uncategorized

image source: https://pixabay.com/vectors/flake-snow-snow-flake-snowflake-2029377/

Whether you’re creating one with a folded piece of paper and pair of scissors or you’re learning about the science and math behind them…
Snowflakes are so FASCINATING!

For this week’s Weekly Challenge, you have several different learning choices.  Pick as many activities as you’d like and then demonstrate your learning by creating a product.

Feel free to find other snowflake resources!  Learn something new and have fun creating!
Submit Your Work Here: https://forms.gle/xis68jyeLR31efLj7

#79 Really Big Numbers

Math Mini Sparks

What is the biggest number you can think of?  What does that number mean?  For this math mini spark, you will be exploring some “really big numbers” and what they mean.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #79 Really Big Numbers
  2. In the episode, “Have You Seen This Snail?”, SpongeBob SquarePants is given a challenge of hitting a paddle ball 29,998,559,671,349 times in a row.  This causes SpongeBob to neglect Gary (his pet snail) and so Gary leaves.  Write this number out in words.

image source: https://images.app.goo.gl/6adwmDetkF9r1Vds7

3. Visit https://www.britannica.com/science/Avogadros-number and write down Avogadro’s Number and what it means.

4. How many different positions are there on a standard Rubik’s Cube?  Visit this site and record the number in your notebook. BONUS: Write the number out in words.

5. Read this Calvin and Hobbes comic strip and record the really large number found in it.  BONUS: Read about another number found in a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip and record it in your notebook.

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

Thank you https://sites.google.com/site/pointlesslargenumberstuff/ for inspiring this this math mini spark.  It definitely sparked my curiosity!

#6: Marie Curie

Science Mini Spark

 

Marie Curie is famous for discovering two important radioactive elements called radium and polonium. She was a pioneer in studying radioactivity, which is the energy released by certain materials. Marie Curie was also the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, receiving awards in Physics in 1903 and in Chemistry in 1911 for her amazing work.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #6: Marie Curie

2.  Read this article about Marie Curie.  Make a 5 question quiz to go along with the article. Include an answer key.

3. Watch this video. Take detailed notes on your recording page while watching.  Include at least 8 pieces of information in your notes.

 

4. Choose 2 of these questions to answer with at least 3 thoughtful sentences. Remind your teacher that the answer key can be found in the science mini spark folder.

  • Describe Marie Curie’s early life and the challenges she faced in pursuing her education.
  • What motivated Marie Curie to enroll in the Floating University, and what was its significance?
  • What were the key discoveries made by Marie Curie in her research on radiation?
  • How did Marie Curie’s work during World War I change medical practices?
  •  In what ways did Marie Curie’s discoveries influence the field of science, particularly in medicine and physics?
  • Reflect on the personal cost Marie Curie faced as a result of her research. What can we learn from her story?

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

#46: Make Oobleck

Full STEAM Ahead, Uncategorized

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #46: Make Oobleck

2. Watch this video. Record the science terms from the video on your recording page. When you see the materials needed to make oobleck, pause the video and record the list on your recording page. Also write a summary of the directions.

3. Gather your materials. Add a picture of your materials to your recording page. **Note a bowl works better than a cup for this project.

4. Make the oobleck. Take a few pictures during the process and at the end.

5. Record the answers to these questions on your recording sheet.

  • What do fluids and solids do, what determines their shape, and can they be compressed?
  • How is Oobleck like a fluid?
  • How is Oobleck like a solid?

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

2020-21 WMS Spelling Bee Information

MS Learning Opportunities

Can you spell these 10 hard to spell words in the English language?

If so, you might be a contestant at the 2020-21 WMS Spelling Bee!

Due to COVID, this year’s spelling bee at WMS will look a little different.
All 7th graders will take the qualifying test during their Language Arts class.  If you are one of the top qualifiers, Dr. Spady will email you to verify whether or not you want to participate in the School Bee.
Any 8th grader interested in taking the qualifying spelling bee test needs to fill out this Google Form by Tuesday, Nov. 24.  You will then receive a link to a WebEx call that will be held on December 2.  During that call, you will take the test virtually.
In the meantime, feel free to practice spelling words from the lists linked below.
grade 7
grade 8

2020-21 Weekly Challenge #13: Word Art

Current Challenge

Week of November 16-20

For this week’s Weekly Challenge, you will be creating a piece of word art using the following website:  https://wordart.com/

Some ideas for your Word Art:

  • Type your name and your family members/friends’ names
  • 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

Suggestion…Create several different pieces of word art using the website and experiment with different shapes, fonts, colors, etc.  After you’ve created a few, submit your favorite creation using this link: https://forms.gle/sJ3yKxaTVeYqQYvBA

#45: Science Buddies Contest

Full STEAM Ahead

K-12 students worldwide are invited to give engineering a try with the annual Engineering Challenge from Science Buddies. Announced every January, the Science Buddies Engineering Challenge lets students use their problem-solving skills to design, build, and test contraptions. The challenges use simple materials and are free for all to participate.

Spark your learning!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #45:Science Buddies Contest

2. Each challenge that science buddies has prepared for you has an introduction video that show the challenge and what you will build. Look at the list below and choose 6 that sound interesting. Add those to your recording sheet.

3. Watch each of the videos you picked. For each one,  record the name of the challenge, the materials needed, and summarize the project in one sentence.

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

Check out the Engineering Design Challenge badge at the EY Website if you want build one of the challenges.

Check out the STEAM mini spark #25 to learn about the engineering design process.

#54: What’s Cooking

Reading Enrichment

This mini spark has you wring all about cooking up something in the kitchen!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #54: What’s Cooking

2. Learn how to write a recipe. Watch this video to show you the steps. Take simple notes on your recording page about  the procedural text steps.

3. Learn how to write a recipe like a professional. Read this article which outlines the process.  This is very detailed, but has some really good pointers. On your recording page, write about how this article is helpful.  Include a question you have about writing recipes as well.

4. Ask a grandparent, relative, parent(s), teacher, etc. for a recipe idea. Add a picture of the recipe to your recording sheet

5. Using the recipe that you have been given, create a more formal version using the information from the video and the article.  The recipe should be typed and please include all of the procedural text steps.

OPTIONAL: Make something in the kitchen and take a picture/video of the process and/or final product.  Make sure your creation has a name and that you provide the ingredients necessary to make your recipe.  Make sure to get an adult’s approval first before you start.

6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page, starting recipe, and final recipe with your teacher/EY coordinator.