All posts by lspady

#77: Pandemic Poetry

July 24, 2024Reading Enrichmentlspady

What Happened When We All Stopped is a children’s book and animated poem by Tom Rivett-Carnac, illustrated by Carla Kreuser and Bee Rivett-Carnac. It explores life after a health pandemic, like COVID-19, from the viewpoint of people at home observing nature. The story suggests that this time of quiet can help the Earth heal and remind us how to live in harmony with nature.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #77: Pandemic Poetry

2. Read this article about Jane Goodall. Record 5 details about her life on your recording sheet.

3. Tom Rivett-Carnac wrote the children’s book What Happened When We All Stopped in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute. The book, read by Jane Goodall, is about what happens after a health pandemic and how to build back better. Watch this animated poem.

4. On your recording page

write about what changed from the beginning of the poem to the end
write about your favorite part of the poem

5. Choose one activity

Write a 5-10 sentence personal reflections about a natural place that feels peaceful. Incorporate sensory images to help the reader understand what it feels like to be there.
Write your own poem about nature.

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

Check out the Jane Goodall Badge at the EY Website.

#24: Orangutan Lessons

July 24, 2024Science Mini Spark, Uncategorizedlspady

Orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling mammals and the most solitary of the great apes. The three species—Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli—are critically endangered due to habitat loss.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #24: Orangutan Lessons.

2. Watch this TED ED video and record 3 details from the video on your recording page.

3. Read 9 facts at this information page from World Wildlife. Choose 3 and record what you learned.

4. Read this journal from scientist who photographed orangutans in 2022. Write down the 3 main lessons on your recording page.

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

Jane Goodall is a scientist who is helping endangered animals. Check out the Jane Goodall Badge at the EY Website.

#23: Rachel Carson

July 24, 2024Science Mini Spark, Uncategorizedlspady

In an era when the threats to our environment were largely overlooked, marine biologist and author Rachel Carson courageously called on the US government to step up and safeguard both its citizens and the planet. Her passionate advocacy illuminated the urgent need for environmental protection and inspired a movement that would change how we view our relationship with nature.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #23: Rachel Carson

2. Watch this intro video to learn about Rachel Carson. Record 3 of her accomplishments on your recording sheet.

3. Read about DDT and record 3 details on your recording sheet.

4. Read this Silent Spring book summary. On your recording page choose TWO of these questions to answer in two sentences or more. Reminder for your teacher that the answer key can be found in the science mini spark folder.

What evidence does Rachel Carson provide to support her claim that the introduction of chemicals is making the earth unfit for life?
How does Carson differentiate between the effects of inorganic chemicals used before World War II and the chemical pesticides introduced later? What implications does this have for pest control practices?
In what ways does Carson suggest that the interaction of multiple chemicals can increase cancer hazards in polluted waters? Analyze how this complexity affects public health policies.
Carson discusses the destruction of beneficial biological species due to chemical treatment of soils. What are the potential long-term ecological consequences of this destruction?
How does Carson’s notion of “delayed physiological symptoms” challenge the traditional understanding of safety regarding pesticide exposure? Provide examples from the text to support your analysis.
What criticisms does Carson raise about the government’s role in pesticide regulation and public safety? How does her perspective reflect broader concerns about environmental governance?

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

#76: Diary of a Wombat

July 24, 2024Reading Enrichmentlspady

Wombats are like the adorable couch potatoes of the animal world! These furry little marsupials come in shades of brown, tan, or grey and can grow up to 1.3 meters long!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #76: Diary of a Wombat

2. Listen to the story Diary of a Wombat. Focus on viewpoint, voice, and flow as you listen to the story.

3. Explore opposing viewpoints. Choose one event. On your recording page describe the same event from two points of view

Mothball vs. family members.

4. Diary of a Wombat is a humorous text. Identify the various devices Jackie French and Bruce Whatley have used to make this book entertaining. To get you started- What is Mothball describing as a ‘flat, hairy creature? How does this add humor? Think of 2 more funny examples and add them to your recording page.

5. In literary texts, dialogue plays an important role in character development. However, there is no dialogue in Diary of a Wombat (from Mothball). Analyze the text to gather information about Mothball. How has the author developed Mothball’s character without the use of dialogue? Record 3 things you know about him,

6. Mothballs main motive in life is to find carrots to eat. Make a list on your recording sheet of all of the ways he does this.

7. Read this National Geographic article. Make a tiny information page with 5 facts about wombats on your recording sheet.

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

Check out the Diary of a Creature badge at the EY website.

#99: Applications of Mathematics

July 8, 2024Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorizedlspady

I didn’t know you needed to know math for that!

Find out how math is used in movie graphics, roller coasters, swimsuit design, and so much more!

Spark your math thinking!

Set up your math mini spark recording page: #99: Applications of Mathematics
Explore this website and find a topic that interests you.
In your math notebook, record the topic title and 1-2 interesting things you learned.
Repeat until you have read and recorded information about 10 math topics.
Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#98 Chocolate Math

July 8, 2024Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorizedlspady

Chocolate’s flavor is a combination of sweetness, bitterness, and creaminess that many people find irresistible. We celebrate national chocolate day in July every year. Check out this math mini spark to learn more about chocolate and math.

Spark your math thinking!

Set up your math mini spark recording page: #98 Chocolate Math
Read this Bedtime Math post about the world’s largest chocolate kiss! Do one of the math questions on your recording page before scrolling all of the way down to see the answer.

A Day for Chocolate

3. Check out this math trick that reveals your age and how many times a week you like to eat chocolate at this chocolate math site. Write about this site?

4. Read about chocolate facts at this site. Create a math data page with all about chocolate. Include at least 8 facts