All posts by lspady

#46: Record Breaking Cat

Early Enrichment, Learning Opportunities

Check out this early enrichment mini spark about the world record cat, Sophie!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Early Enrichment mini spark recording page: # 46: Record Breaking Cat

2. Sure, most cats are soft and furry. But this one has gone bonkers. Sophie holds the world record for the longest cat California rescue cat Sophie sets new record for longest fur | Guinness World Recordsfur. Measuring more than 10 inches long. Read her Guiness World Record page and and record the who, what, when and where on your recording page.

 

 

3. Read this article about Sophie. What do you think would be the best part about having a cat with the world’s longest fur. What would be the hardest thing about having a cat with such long fur.

4. Share your Early Enrichment Mini Spark recording page with your teacher or EY Coordinator.

 

#36: Draw a 3D Art

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities

Learn how to draw a 3D ladder and chair. These are  optical illusions from Trick Art for Kids by artist Jon Harris.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #36: Draw a 3D Art

2.  Learn how to draw a 3D ladder.

3. Gather you materials. Materials used: cardstock, Grey Bic Marking Pen (any gray marker will work), Black Sharpie Pen, toy car. Take a picture of your materials and add them to your recording sheet.

4. On your recording page, write about what is going to be hard about this art and what is going to be easier, in your opinion.

5. Using the video as a guide, make the ladder.

6.  Recreate the optical illusion of  cars driving under the ladder. Capture your work with your ipad camera.

7. Create this image as well.

8. Capture your work with your ipad camera.

9. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and your two art pieces. with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Image from Artist Howard Lee.
Image from Artist Howard Lee.
Image from Artist Howard Lee.

 

 

 

#75 Make Anything into Math

Learning Opportunities, Math Mini Sparks

You know, you can think of almost anything as a math problem!

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #75 Make Anything into Math

2. Check out this video
~Ms. Fibonacci from Math Curse https://vimeo.com/44966140

3. Take a snapshot of anything that reminds you of a math concept/problem.

4. Create a pic collage or another visual of your choice with your picture and a math problem goes along it. Create an answer key as well.

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

20-21: Weekly Challenge #2-Kitchen Challenge

Current Challenge, Uncategorized

What’s Cooking?

This week’s EY Weekly Challenge has you cooking up something in the kitchen!

For this Weekly Challenge, please choose one of the following options:

  • Ask a grandparent, relative, parent(s), etc. for a family recipe.  Is it something you always have at a holiday gathering?  Something only prepared on a special occasion? Submit a family recipe along with an explanation of its significance to you/your family.
  • 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.

Google Form Link: https://forms.gle/RzHSWDHtnonnRvFu7

Image Source: https://www.clipart.email/clipart/kid-chef-clipart-33460.html

Weekly Challenge #1 Highlights

Uncategorized, Weekly Challenge Highlights

Wow! Over 80 mask submissions for our first Weekly Challenge!

Thank you all for submitting your fun, fashionable, functional and fitting mask designs for the first EY Weekly Challenge!  Each week, we will pick out a few of our favorites to highlight.

Calista from Loveland went the fashionable route for her mask.  Check out the reversible Halloween mask that her and friend Katie sewed themselves!
Whitney from Rockbrook sewed a mask with her Grandma.  The pleats make for a functional and comfortable fit!
Click here to see Whitney’s mask.
Logan from Loveland went the functional route with cooling fans and a zipper for eating and talking.

Alondra from WMS looks like she is on her way to a business opportunity with her mask design!

Ada from Loveland was resourceful in her design as she up-cycled a sock for her mask.
Thanks for checking out the highlights for Weekly Challenge #1!  Make sure to check back for the highlights of Weekly Challenge #2!

#2: Shadow Science 

Science Mini Spark, Uncategorized

Learn about shadows, including what they are and how they form. Discover the way solid objects block light to form shadows and how shadows can change shape when the light source changes

Spark you thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #2: Shadow Science

2. How are Shadows formed? Watch this video. Record all of the vocabulary words tha pop up on your recording sheet. If it is a new word for you, write a short definition as well.

3. Shadow puppetry is the art of using the shadows of puppets to entertain the audience. Research this art form at Wonderopolis.  Explain the history about shadow puppet creation with 2 sentences.

4. A long time ago, people observed the way shadows were formed by the sun and utilized this principle in making the world’s most primitive clocks, the sundials. Learn about sundials. Take notes about the process on your recording sheet.

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

Check out the Shadow Science Badge at the EY Website.

#1: How Glass is Made

Science Mini Spark

Ever wonder how glass is made? It’s like making a giant cookie: you mix sandy quartz with some lime and a sprinkle of sodium bicarbonate, then bake it in a super hot oven until it turns into a shiny, crunchy treat—just don’t eat it!

Spark you thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #1: How Glass is Made

2. Watch a video about glass from Mystery Doug. Take a 5 notes on your recording page as you watch.

3. Watch this animated step video about glass from Mocomi.

4. Draw a picture timeline or use pic collage showing several of the different glass making processes that were shown in the video. Include at least 3 science words in your visual.

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

source: https://mocomi.com/how-is-glass-made/

20-21: Weekly Challenge #1-Design A Mask

Current Challenge

Before reading further, did you remember to read the Weekly Challenge Info page first?

Masks are required in school and each day, more and more public places are requiring masks before you can enter.  Whether you agree with wearing a mask or not, if you have to wear one, it’s important to find something you like.

QUESTION: When it comes to wearing a mask, do you want it to be Fashionable? Functional? A good Fit?

For the 1st Weekly Challenge of the 2020-2021 School Year, please submit a design for a mask.

  • You can make a physical mask using materials you have at your house. Take a picture of the mask and/or you wearing the mask and upload & submit it using the Google Form link below.
  • You can draw your mask design on a piece of paper labeling the materials needed, parts of the mask, etc. Take a picture of your paper and upload & submit it using the Google Form link below.
  • You can use an application on a computer or iPad to design your mask. Export your project as a .pdf or picture file and upload & submit it using the Google Form link below.

Google Form Link: https://forms.gle/RzHSWDHtnonnRvFu7

Mask Image Source: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/mask-facemask-face-mask-cover-5323807/

#35: Olympic Medal Designer

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges

Every two years, a selection committee creates the medals that symbolize triumph at that year’s Olympic Games. They must adhere to certain guidelines while also having the creative freedom to design medals that reflect the true essence of the Olympics.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #35: Olympic Medal Designer

2. Watch this video and record 5 ideas about the process of creating medals for the Olympics hosted in Japan on your recording sheet.

3. View the history of Olympic Medals.  Pick 3 different years and compare the medals from those years (designer, composition, diameter, and mint).  Display your findings in a creative manner and add a picture to your recording sheet.

4. Imagine you are part of the Olympic Medal Design committee! Design your own Olympic medal that pays tribute to the world’s top athletes in a distinctive manner. Answer these questions on your recording sheet

  • Which Olympic Games will your medal represent — an upcoming event or a fictional one?
  • Will you concentrate on the Summer or Winter Olympics?
  • Will you maintain the classic design features on one side of your medal, or will you opt for innovative concepts?
  • What figures, locations, or symbols will you choose to celebrate on the front of your medal?

5. Do some planning and research. Add ideas to your recording sheet

6. Design your medal on paper or digitally. Add a picture of your design to your recording page.

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

Idea adapted from https://kid-museum.org/maker-playground/olympic-medals/