All posts by lspady

#37: What’s so special about that number?

Math Mini Sparks

Why is 2 important?  It’s the only even prime number! Spend some time learning about special numbers in this math mini spark.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #37: What’s so special about that number?

2. Explore this article and find out about 4 types of special numbers. Write the name of each type and some examples on your recording page.

3. Look over this example.

Answer these questions

  • How many of the numbers from 1 to 30 can you express as the difference of two perfect squares?
  • What is special about the difference between squares of consecutive numbers? Why?
  • What about the difference between the squares of two numbers which differ by 2? By 3? By 4…?
  • When is the difference between two square numbers odd?
    And when is it even?
  • What do you notice about the numbers you CANNOT express as the difference of two perfect squares?
  • Reminder for your teacher-The answers to these questions can be found in the math mini park folder.

4.  Set your time for 8 minutes and explore the Almanac of Interesting Numbers at Mathigon.  In what ways could teachers and students use this site? What ways is it useful? What suggestions do you have? Record your responses on your recording sheet.

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

#25: An Eggstronaut Mission-Engineering Design Process Lesson

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges

How do engineers tackle challenges? They employ the engineering design process to develop the most effective solution. We will guide you through this process step-by-step as we get ready to launch our eggstronaut on an interplanetary journey.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page:#25: An Eggstronaut Mission-Engineering Design Process Lesson

2. Print this engineering design process recording page  or create sections on your recording page for each of the topics on this handout.

3. Learn about the engineering process by watching this video, An Eggstronaut Mission. As the narrator explains each step, pause the video to fill out the form with the information or type each of the steps on your recording page. Hint: When she says the problem you are going to solve write it down, when she says the ways to research, write them down an so on.

4. Watch this video and record how making tacos for a party follows the Engineering Design Process. On your recording page explain the taco making process and how it follows the engineering design process. Use 3-5 sentences.

5. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and your handout if you printed one with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Use this mini spark as task 2 for the Engineering Design Badge at the EY website.

#32: Football( Soccer) Physics

Science Mini Spark

Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy.  Learn more about physics by checking this video about the impossible kick.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Science mini spark recording page: #32: Football( Soccer) Physics

2. Watch this TED Ed video. Write down the terms mentioned in the video.

3. Choose 3 of these questions to answer on your recording page. Use at least 2 sentences for your response. Remind your teacher that the key can be found in the science mini spark folder.

  1. Explain the significance of the spin that Carlos put on the ball when he kicked it.
  2. Describe Newton’s first law of motion and how it relates to the kick made by Roberto Carlos.
  3. What is the Magnus effect and how does it contribute to the ball curving in flight?
  4. List the factors that can affect the trajectory of a free kick, as mentioned in the video.
  5. How does the air pressure differential created by the ball’s spin influence its path?
  6. Discuss whether it is theoretically possible to kick a ball in a way that makes it return to the kicker.
  7. What are some examples of other sports or objects where the Magnus effect is observed, as mentioned in the video?
  8. Reflect on the challenges a player faces when trying to curve a kick accurately—what makes it so difficult?

4. Check out Physics for Kids Overview on ducksters.com.  List all the 7 main physics topics on your recording page.

5. Choose one of the pages to read. Using information from the page you read, create 5  trivia questions for a classmate to answer.

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

Advanced:

Watch the Fascinating Physics of Everyday Life video.

Answer the questions. What is the law of conservation of angular momentum?

  • How does something not touching anything (i.e. Hubble Telescope) know where it is?
  • What are two important things to know about science?

 

#29: Snapple Facts

Reading Enrichment

Snapple is a brand of juice drinks. The company was founded in 1972 by Leonard Marsh, Hyman Golden, and Arnold Greenberg, who started selling fresh apple juice called Snapple out of the back of Greenberg’s parents’ pickle store in Queens, New York. The name Snapple is a combination of the words “snappy” and “apple”.  This mini spark isn’t really about Snapple. It is about the facts that are printed on the lids.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #29: Snapple Facts

2. Did you know how much a bumblebee bat weighs? Do you know the national animal of Scotland? Record your guesses on your recording sheet and then click the links to find out.

3. Click the arrows at Snapple Facts to explore more facts.

4. Print this recording sheet or use your recording page and record 5 interesting facts that you found.

5. Do some further research on one fact.  Add at least 5 details to your recording page.

6. Finally, display your researched fact on a Pic Collage or other digital tool.

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

Check out the Snapple Fact Check at the EY Badge Page.

#36: Minimum Wage

Math Mini Sparks

Minimum wage is the minimum hourly wage an employer can pay an employee. This number is determined by the government, and it is illegal for employers to pay their non-exempt workers anything below the minimum wage. This is very important, because it makes sure that employees do not fall into poverty.

My boys and I recently had a conversation about minimum wage and it got me thinking about my first job.  It was the late 1980’s and I was 13 years old.  I worked at Bishop’s Buffet rolling silverware in napkins and I made a whopping $2.15 an hour!

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #36: Minimum Wage
  2. Go to this site and click around on the map to see some of the current minimum wages in the United States. Record several observations on your recording page.
  3. Look at this site and make a table of Nebraska’s minimum wage from 1968 to present.
  4. Using the same site from #3, compare the minimum wage for several states. Make a table and then transfer it to a graph. Use this online graphing tool or another graphing tool of your choice.
  5. Read about Nebraska’s minimum wage at this site. What kinds of jobs offer minimum wage?  Is $12.00 an hour sufficient?
  6. Ask a parent, grandparent, or other adult what their first job was and how much they made per hour.
  7. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#35: The Math Behind the Solar Eclipse

Math Mini Sparks

Taken from NASA.gov:  One of the reasons that ancient peoples could not predict total solar eclipses was because they did not appreciate the mathematics involved in forecasting. Also, many of the parameters needed to accurately predict eclipses had not been astronomically measured until the first century CE.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #35: The Math Behind the Solar Eclipse
  2. Go to this site to read about eclipses. Then click the arrows to go through the quick facts. Record several details.
  3.  Watch this video, The Coincidental Geometry of a Total Solar Eclipse, to learn more about the math involved. Take notes while watching.

4. Read and take notes about total solar eclipses at National Geographic Kids. 

5.  *Advanced: Take the NASA Challenge X Marks the Spot Linear Equations. Print out the activity sheets to get started.

6. *Advanced: Take the NASA Challenge Exploring Angular Diameter.

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

#34: Pizza Math

Math Mini Sparks
Where is your favorite place to eat pizza?  My Top 3 are Sortinos, Mama’s Pizza, and Papa Johns.  Of course whenever we eat pizza as a family, we have to make up some math problems!  Explore some “pizza math”!
Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #34: Pizza Math

2. Watch the video, Pizza Pi, and add details on your recording page.

3. Now watch this video, The Twitter Pizza Equation Explained ,and add details to your recording page showing the math behind the pizza sizes.

4. Omni has a great site with information on pizza math and an pizza size calculator. On the left side there are a few articles about pizza. Record the title of each article and 3 details from each one on your note taking sheet.

5. Now try out the calculator. You can use the measurements from one of the videos or create your own and see what the comparisons are. Record what you find.

6. OPTIONAL: Calculate the area, circumference, and price per square inch of the next pizza you order.  Make a display of the math/calculations.

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

 

#33: Math Madness

Math Mini Sparks

March Madness is an exciting time for basketball fans, where 68 college teams compete in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion. But did you know that math plays a crucial role in understanding and predicting the outcomes of these games?

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #33: Math Madness
  2.  Read an short article about March Madness from DOGO news. Add 3 pieces of information to your recording sheet from the article.
  3. Watch this video about the perfect bracket.  You will need a coin or this online coin flipper.  On your recording page, record your flips totals, and the math that he introduces. Then answer to this question:  What are the chances of choosing the winner of every game in the entire tournament?
  4. Print out this activity from Yummy Math Activity: Does Seeding Matter? Read the page and do problems #1-#5. Reminder for your teacher-the answer key to this activity can be found in the math mini spark folder.
  5. Advanced option: Complete the entire worksheet Does Seeding Matter.
  6. Share your math mini spark recording page and Does Seeding Matter activity with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#18: Ireland

Social Studies Enrichment

This mini spark is all about the Emerald Isle! Ready to discover one of Europe’s most beautiful countries?

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies recording page: #18: Ireland Information

2.  Set your timer for 3 minutes. Study this map of Ireland. Record 10 details on your recording page.

3. Read a teaching page all about Ireland at National Geographic Kids.   Record at least 8 facts that you did not know.

4. Do research to determine if these are Irish cities, counties, rivers, or mountains. Record your answers on your recording page. (Don’t peek until you have done the research)

  • Liffey
  • Galway
  • Shannon:
  • Belfast
  • Cork
  • Slieve
  • Bray
  • Erne
  • Wicklow
  • Killarney

When you are done, scroll to the bottom of this post to check your work.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Liffey: The River Liffey is a major river in Dublin, Ireland, that flows through the city and is an important part of its geography and history.
  2. Galway: A city on the west coast of Ireland known for its vibrant culture, arts scene, and as a gateway to scenic areas like Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher.
  3. Shannon: The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland, flowing through several counties and known for its beautiful landscapes and recreational activities.
  4. Belfast: The capital city of Northern Ireland, known for its rich industrial history, cultural landmarks, and as the birthplace of the RMS Titanic.
  5. Cork: A city located in the south of Ireland, famous for its historic architecture and as a center for food and music.
  6. Slieve: Refers to the Slieve Mish Mountains, a mountain range in County Kerry, known for its rugged beauty and hiking trails.
  7. Bray: A coastal town near Dublin, known for its scenic seafront and the nearby Bray Head mountain, popular for walking and stunning views.
  8. Erne: The River Erne is a river in the northwest of Ireland that flows through counties Fermanagh and Donegal, known for its lakes and fishing.
  9. Wicklow: A county in Ireland known for the Wicklow Mountains, which offer beautiful landscapes, hiking opportunities, and rich biodiversity.
  10. Killarney: A town in County Kerry, famous for its national park, lakes, and mountains, making it a popular destination for tourists and nature lovers.

#28: Fairy Tales

Reading Enrichment

What are Fairy Tales?  According to Merriam-Webster, a fairy tale is “a story (as for children) involving fantastic forces and beings (as fairies, wizards, and goblins) – called also fairy story”.  

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #28: Fairy Tales

2. Have you seen Beauty and the Beast? Watch this short clip from the animated movie. Record 4 characters from the clip and explain how they are magical.

3. The original Beauty and the Beast (French: La Belle et la Bête) is a traditional fairy tale written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740 in La Jeune Américaine et les contes marins. Read this article about this fairy tale. On your recording sheet record 5 details.

4. Please read this Wonderopolis article, How Old are Fairy Tales?  Make a 5 question quiz and answer key to go along with the article.

5. Go to this website and choose 2 more fairy tales to read. Record the title and a short summary of the story on your recording page.

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