All posts by lspady

#40: Universal Calendar Puzzle

Math Mini Sparks

This is a date calculation puzzle to try! Other date puzzles can be found at Math Mini Spark #30 and #90.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #40: Universal Calendar Puzzle
  2.  Take notes as you watch the tutorial. It is also helpful to pause the video while you are watching to do the calculations. NOTE Pause the video and calculate the date 10.19.1902.  Unpause the video to see if you were correct.

3. Please complete two date calculations of your choice from start to finish and put the date, your math and your solution on your recording page.

4. This info sheet is very helpful.  You can print it to help you do step number 3.

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

Tech Savvy April 21, 2018

Other Events & Contests
Tech Savvy, a program of AAUW,  introduces girls in 6th through 9th grades to many types of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers and teaches “savvy skills” such as critical thinking, sharing opinions, financial literacy, and negotiation.

Tech Savvy will be held April 21, 2018, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the College of St. Mary, 7000 Mercy Rd, Omaha, NE.

Find out more at: https://aauw-ne.aauw.net/tech-savvy/

#39: Hexaflexagon DIY

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

Learn how to make a really fun geometric toy—a Hexaflexagon! There are many types of flexagons. The names of flexagons tell the type of polygon and the number of faces.  Hexaflexagons are paper polygons you will create in this math mini spark. They were first discovered in 1939 by Arthur Stone, who set up a Flexagon Committee to investigate their properties.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #39: Hexaflexagon DIY
  2. Watch this Vi Hart video.

3. Look over these PDFs that will help you make your own.  Print off the instruction page and the the template.

4. Snap a picture of your finished project and add it to your recording page.

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

Info from: http://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/HexaHexaFlexagon/

Central Honors Institute

Other Events & Contests
The Central Honors Institute (CHI) is a five-day residential academic camp for middle school students who have completed the 6th or 7th grade and who have demonstrated academic accomplishments, leadership and maturity among their peers.

Students attend classes during the day (see below) and socialize with peers in the evenings while experiencing life on a community college campus.

  • CHI Stream Team: During this biology based track, Stream Team campers will investigate living and non-living objects, food web, and biodiversity in a nearby aquatic ecosystem.
  • FLY CHI Track:  This track will focus on the fascinating aspect of flight from archery to ornithology, rockets, gliders, combustion and beyond!
  • CSI at CHI Track: Campers in this track will investigate and solve a number of puzzling cases throughout the week.
  • CHI Creativity Track: Campers will explore their creative potential through teamwork and cooperation.

To learn more, visit: https://www.cccneb.edu/chi/

Applications are due May 1, 2018

Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest

Other Events & Contests, Uncategorized
The Friends of Omaha Public Library are currently accepting submissions for the Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest.  The contest is for students in 5-8th grade.  First prize in each grade is $100.

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing contest is held each year in the spring to recognize the creative writing talent of area students. This contest, sponsored by the Friends of Omaha Public Library, recognizes the top three winners from each grade. Each winner receives a cash prize and certificate, is recognized in a ceremony at the library, and has their story published on the library website. The school libraries of each winning student are also recognized with a matching cash prize.

Eligibility Requirements

    • Stories must be submitted with an entry form to be considered. Complete all fields either online or on a printed entry form and submit with your story.
    • Students must be in 5th to 8th grade and live in Douglas or Sarpy counties.
    • Students may be enrolled in public, private, parochial or home school.
    • Stories must be typed and no longer than 750 words.
    • Entries must be original fiction featuring a character from a book you have enjoyed and read on your own. Identify the book and author from which your character originated in the title or subtitle of your story.
    • Only one entry per contestant will be accepted.
    • The decision of the judges is final.
    • All entries become the property of Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) and may be featured by Omaha Public Library on its website or social media.
    • Deadline for entries is February 28, 2020.

    Prizes

    • First ($100), second ($75) and third place ($50)
    • Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners from each grade.
    • The school library of the winning students will be recognized with matching cash prizes.

Read the winning stories from the 2019 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest

About Virginia Frank

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest began in 2003 and is named in honor of a longtime Friends of Omaha Public Library volunteer. Virginia Frank was a Central High and UNO graduate. She acquired a master’s degree from Brown University and taught English literature and creative writing at UNO for many years. Her passion for students and young people inspired everyone around her, and her enthusiasm encouraged many students to explore their creative writing talents. Frank volunteered thousands of hours with the Friends of OPL to help ensuring a bright future for our public libraries.

#33: Word Squares

Reading Enrichment

Word squares are grids of letters that cross horizontally and vertically. In the puzzle below, the word TRAP is located in the top row and left-most column; ROME can be seen in the second row from the top and the second column from the left; AMEN is found in the third row from the top and the third column from the left; and PENT occurs in the bottom row and in the right-most column. All the words cross each other in a perfect square arrangement. (taken from Psychology Today)

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page:#33:Word Squares

2. Take a look at this one.  DEN is spelled vertically and horizontally in the first column and row respectively.  EYE is spelled vertically and horizontally in the 2nd column/row, and NET is spelled vertically and horizontally in the 3rd column/row

 

3. Try These 3 Word Squares. Record your answers on your recording page.

4. Create the Word Squares from these given clues!  Use this sheet to record your answers.

5. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and your word square sheet with your teacher/EY coordinator.