All posts by lspady

#78 If I had a million…

Math Mini Sparks

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #78 If I had a million…
  2. For inspiration, listen to How Much Is A Million by David M. Schwartz.

3. Explore the length of ONE MILLION objects.  You have two options for your recording sheet:  you can either print a copy or fill out a digital version. You can also make the charts on your recording page.

4. Create a visual to display your information.  You can use an app of your choice on your iPad or computer.  You can also draw/color on paper. 

5. Share your math mini spark recording page and ONE MILLION object page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

# 77 Organizing Data

Math Mini Sparks

We are surrounded by information (data) and it’s important to organize it into presentable and easy to understand ways!  For this math spark, you are going to display some information of your choice.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: # 77 Organizing Data
  2. Start by watching The Great Graph Contest.

3.  Now, choose a topic that you want to graph, the information, and the way you represent it.

4.  Write 5 questions that can be answered from your information. Please also include the answers to your questions.

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

#41: STEAM Challenge: Paper Plate

Full STEAM Ahead

Are you ready for a fun PAPER PLATE building challenge? Grab a paper plate, scissors and tape, and let’s get started! With just these three materials, you can create amazing structures.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #41: STEAM Challenge: Paper Plate

2. Look over your 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 find a paper plate 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.

Use your project as one of the activities for the STEAM with Paper Plates Badge at the EY Website.

 

Thank You Notes

MS Learning Opportunities
The other day I was thinking about ways my boys and I could serve our community and I continually found myself making excuses like…We’re too busy, we can’t all go to the same place, businesses are not allowing volunteers at this time, etc.  But then I was reminded by one act of service that we could all participate in…writing thank you notes!  Do you know a Veteran? Maybe another person that works in our community?  A first responder?  A teacher?  A custodian?  Writing a heart-felt note to someone thanking them for their service is a great way to display your leadership, character and citizenship.  If you end up writing some notes, I’d love to receive a picture from you letting me know how it went!
If you want some information on how to write a thank-you note, check out this post on the EY Website: https://ey.westside66.org/veterans-day-thank-you-writing/

#40: STEAM Career Collection

Full STEAM Ahead

November 8th is national STEAM day!

STEAM Day is an opportunity to focus on helping kids advance in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Celebrate STEAM any day of the year by learning about careers that fall under each letter.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #40: STEAM Career Collection

2. Get your STEAM carrer collection page. You can print a copy of this recording page or make a digital copy

3. Go to this website and read about the different careers. Write each title in the chart under the correct letter.

4. On your sheet, put a start next to any that sound interesting.

5. After choosing careers to summarize, read the next three paragraphs at the website, answer these questions on your recording page.

  • Why have the arts been underemphasized in favor of an education focused on math and science?
  • How can a STEAM education translate to career success?
  • What do we lose as a society when we don’t acknowledge the importance of arts in education?

6. OPTIONAL. Do some more research to find other jobs not listed. Not sure what category the careers that you find fall under? That happens because all of the parts of STEAM are connected and work together! You choose where you put the other careers you find.

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

Check out the My Future is so Bright I Gotta Wear Shades Badge at the EY website.

2020-21 Weekly Challenge #12: Paper Plate Design

Current Challenge
For this week’s Weekly Challenge, you are going to create something using a paper plate.

When you’re finished with the challenge, submit your work using the Google Form: https://forms.gle/KKW9RsmEhqp3TVoz7
Take it a step further and complete the STEAM with Paper Plates Badge:
 Google Docs Version:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BwkfibE0T1CVYxPu6QK_vzUi8Msst2bM9D4rYSKp9G0/copy
PDF Version: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KhyTn3_Kmx5ZKQdDV2jSUtYyx694zzN4/view?usp=sharing

Everyday Leadership: Drew Dudley

NJHS
We’ve made leadership about changing the world, and there is no world.  There’s only six billion understandings of it.  And if you change one person’s understanding of it, understanding of what they’re capable of, understanding how much people care about them, understanding of how powerful an agent for change they can be in this world, you’ve changed the whole thing! ~Drew Dudley

Who has made your life better?  How can you make some else’s life better?  Leave a comment below!

#51: Happy Spelling!

Enrichment Links, Other Events & Contests, Reading Enrichment, Spelling Bee

It is fun to learn how to spell new words. This mini spark is a great way to find new words to practice. Happy Spelling!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #51: Happy Spelling!

2. Find practice words. Look through the choices and find the list that is right for you

grade 3  

grade 4   

grade 5   

grade 6   

grade 7  

grade 8

3. Choose 15 words from the grade level that suits you and add them to your recording page.

4. Study the spelling of your new words.

5. When you are ready, have a teacher, parent, or peer give you a spelling test over the 5 hardests words on your list. Use your recording page for the test.

6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and your test with your teacher/EY coordinator.

2020-21 Weekly Challenge #11: Organizing Data

Current Challenge, Uncategorized

We are surrounded by information (data) and it’s important to organize it into presentable and easy to understand ways!
For this week’s Weekly Challenge, you are going to display some information.  You can choose the topic and the way you represent it.   You must also include 5 questions that can be answered from your information.
If you need some inspiration, you can watch The Great Graph Contest.

When you’re finished with the challenge, submit your work using the Google Form: https://forms.gle/KKW9RsmEhqp3TVoz7