3. Print out the PDF or make a copy of the digital version of the doughnut activity page. Due to the complexity of some of the questions, It’s acceptable to use your resources (ie. teacher, older brother or sister, Internet to look up a formula, etc.) and ask for help.
4. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
If you like reading, writing, or illustrating stories, you are in the right place!
Each school year, you learn important skills at school that help you become a better writer. Writing a story can be challenging sometimes, but Jeff Kinney, the author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, has some great tips for you to follow:
1. Take your time writing. To become an expert, you need lots of practice!
2. Find someone to help you out. Ask an someone who can edit your work to make it even better!
3. Be unique. Try something new and make your work stand out.
For this early enrichment post write a short story about an adventure that takes place in your school library.
Share your story with the EY teacher at your school.
Each student may submit one poem. The poem must be no more than 20 lines on any subject and in any style except concrete (shape poems) or blackout. The poem must be the original and individual work of the student. Sample topics include: Pride in America, friendship, feelings, nature, dreams, aspirations, or anything that inspires creativity.
Prizes: Twelve participation prizes will be drawn from all entries. Prizes include a laptop, tablet or iPod Touch, and $25 gift cards. First, second, and third place in each division will be awarded a cash prize. One “Editor’s Choice” poem will be awarded a $500.00 grand prize.
Westside Community Schools does not sponsor or endorse the organization or activity described here. The sharing of this information is provided as a community service.
Math concepts are fantastically weaved into all kinds of artwork and Cloud Gate, or “The Bean”, in Chicago, IL is no exception! Cloud Gate is British artist Anish Kapoor’s first public outdoor work in the the United States.
1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #24: The Bean
2. According to the city of Chicago website, The 110-ton elliptical sculpture is forged of a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates, which reflect Chicago’s famous skyline and the clouds above. A 12-foot-high arch provides a “gate” to the concave chamber beneath the sculpture, inviting visitors to touch its mirror-like surface and see their image reflected back from a variety of perspectives. Inspired by liquid mercury, the sculpture is among the largest of its kind in the world, measuring 66-feet long by 33-feet high. Watch this summary video below and record 5-10 details on your recording page.
3. Watch a video on how they “Clean the Bean”. Record 3 sentences about what you have learned about this process on your recording page.
4. Take a look inside the Bean during construction. What math and science was involved in creating the bean?
5. “The Bean” is 33 feet high, 42 feet wide, and 66 feet long. It weighs about 110 tons — roughly the same as 15 adult elephants. Suppose a regular bean was sitting next to Cloud Gate. Do some research to find out the dimensions of a regular bean. Do some math calculations. About how many times bigger is cloud gate? Record your work on your recording page.
6. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
Thanks to the Hoffart boys at Sunset for inspiring this math mini spark!
Have you ever wondered what’s happening in your brain while your are reading to turn all these weird symbols into meaning? Check out this reading mini spark to learn more about this process.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #20: Open a Book
2. Reading is something you’re doing effortlessly right now. Ever wondered how your brain turns symbols into meaning? This video will help you rediscover the amazing process of reading.
3. After watching this video, choose 5 of these questions to respond to on your recording page. Each response should be at least 2 sentences. Remind your teacher that the answer key is in the reading mini spark folder.
What secret does Joe mention about how we read?
How do rounded letters differ from flat-topped letters in terms of height?
Explain the “Müller-Lyer illusion” and how it relates to letter recognition.
What is the “paradox of reading” that Dr. Erica Brozovsky discusses?
Describe the concept of “neural recycling” as explained in the video.
How do our eyes gather information when we read, according to the video?
What is the “Word Superiority Effect,” and why is it important in understanding reading?
Discuss the role of the fovea and parafovea in reading. How do they contribute to our ability to recognize words?
How does the brain process the shapes of letters and words according to the video?
What happens in our brains when we recognize a word, as described by Joe in the video?
4. Read this article about benefits reading. List your top 3 on the recording sheet.
5. On your recording sheet write title of the book you’re currently reading and write about your opinion about the book at this time. Support your decision with 3 specific examples and 3 details.
6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
Did you know that during the Olympics things are measured differently?
At school, we learn how to measure with inches, feet and yards. However, during Olympics races are measured using the Metric System. They use centimeters, meters, and kilometers.
If you look closely at a ruler you can see the centimeters system.
Download and print the Metric Me! worksheet to practice measuring using the metric system.
Math concepts are fantastically weaved into all kinds of artwork and Cloud Gate, or “The Bean”, in Chicago, IL is no exception! Cloud Gate is British artist Anish Kapoor’s first public outdoor work in the the United States.
