All posts by lspady

Quarter 1 is behind us!

October 22, 2015Sindt Blog, Uncategorizedlspady

First quarter is over! Wow – this year is flying by already!

We have had a busy, fun first quarter. Our focus has been on invention and innovation, which has always been a fun theme for students. We had a variety of events and experiences that provided students with the opportunity to explore invention and innovation both inside and outside the classroom.

One such event was the Invention Convention Seminar in September. This was open to all students grades 2 – 6 (at two separate seminars) and had a focus on the engineering process, as well. Fifth and sixth grade students had the opportunity to create their own musical instrument, work through the reverse engineering process, market their invention, and look at improving the world through inventions all while creating an engineering notebook. Second through Fourth graders worked through the process of engineering by creating electrical circuits and they even got to put together a light up greeting card using a circuit they made. It was exciting to see all of the innovative thinkers we have at Westside!

Math and Reading enrichment classes are in full swing now. For reading enrichment, we are doing some higher-level novel studies. The students enjoy digging deeper into their reading and writing. When we’re not working on a novel, students are encouraged to complete their Current Events on the Google Doc, and look into Reading Enrichment opportunities in the EY Blog. For math enrichment, we’re working off of a Math Enrichment menu, which gives students the opportunity to personalize their own math enrichment experience.

We continue to encourage all students to check out the EY blog regularly for enrichment opportunities in many interest areas both within their classrooms, and beyond. Please encourage your student(s) to explore the blog at home as well. Like I always say…the blog doesn’t ever take a day off!

Thank you for making this first quarter a success!

#7: Mayan Math

October 22, 2015Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorizedlspady

The Mayans were a classical civilization of Mesoamerica. Originating in the Yucatan around 2600 B.C.E., they rose to prominence around A.D.E. 250 in present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala, western Honduras, El Salvador, and northern Belize.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #7: Mayan Math

2. Mayan Math was the most sophisticated number system ever developed in the Americas. Astronomers and architects used Mayan Math, but it was also simple enough to be used by uneducated traders and farmers. Where we use ten different symbols to represent numbers (1, 2, 3, 4 , 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0), the Mayans used only three: a dot for a one, a bar for five, and a symbol (usually a shell) for zero. (The Maya were the first civilization to discover and understand the concept of zero.) The chart below shows the Mayan numbers 1 – 19. Draw this chart on your recording page or use this online tool to practice making the numbers 1-19.

3. We use a decimal system, based on the number ten, but the Mayans used a vigesimal system, based on the number twenty. So, where we learn to count on our fingers, Mayan children counted on their fingers and toes. In fact, the number twenty was very important to the Mayans, so much so that the words for “human being” and “twenty” share the same root in most Mayan languages. Record a summary of this information on your recording sheet.

Watch a video about base 20 and how it is used. Record important details on your recording sheet.

4. The Mayans wrote their numbers from top to bottom rather than from left to right, but apart from that, their system was not so different from ours. For example, to write the number 34, we place a three in the tens column and a four in the ones column. The Maya put a one in the twenties column and a fourteen in the ones column. Draw this image on your recording sheet.

Screen Shot 2015-10-22 at 12.25.02 PM

5. Practice making larger numbers at Round 2 at Mayan Math Games. Then you will move to Round 3 at Mayan Math Games where you make numbers in the base 20 system. If you think you can move to round 3 without starting in round 2 that is ok. Add a note to your recording page about what you learned.

6. Adding in the Mayan system is simply a matter of juggling the dots and bars. To calculate 36 + 13, for example, you start by adding the units (i.e., 16 + 13). This gives you 29, so you leave 9 in the ones column and carry the 20 up, giving you a grand total of 2 twenties and 9 ones = 49.

Pretty smart, right? Especially, when you consider that the Ancient Egyptians never cracked the concept of zero and that complex calculations with Roman numerals were way too complicated for ordinary Romans. Practice adding in Round 4 at Mayan Math Games.

7. Optional: If you would like to try subtraction go to Round 5 at Mayan Math Games.

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

Check out the ancient number systems badge at the EY website

Early Enrichment #5: Matific Episodes

October 9, 2015Early Enrichment, Uncategorizedlspady

Matific is a math website/app that features hundreds of playful interactions called “episodes.” Practice your math skills by practicing some of their free episodes!

Go to the link below, click the box to continue to website, and choose one of the activities on their homepage.

https://www.matific.com/us/en-us

(note: activities found off of the homepage will require an account created by classroom teachers. Scroll down to see some of the free episodes).

Spy a Meerkat

Monster Shop

Cherry Chomp

Cut, Paste and Figure

Weighing the Options

Get Mixed Up

The Monster’s Share

Writer’s Block

October 7, 2015Spady Bloglspady

Can I count the image above as a blog post? I know, it’s more of an excuse, but I’m really struggling with my goal of writing two blog posts a month. Even though I’m only a few posts in, I’m really beginning to understand why some students struggle with writing. It can seem like such a daunting task!

Writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all. ~Charles Bukowski

So I guess this post will be about writer’s block. I found this blog post to be very useful in finding some possible solutions. Fear and Perfectionism are probably my two biggest obstacles. I can definitely think of at least 100 excuses why I can’t write…not enough time, there’s nothing interesting to write about, the dishes need washed…

Alas, excuses won’t get me anywhere. For now, I will be satisfied with the fact that I at least wrote something and remind myself of why I set a goal in the first place. I want to become a better writer and I want to be able to empathize with students when they are struggling to write.

I’d love to hear any suggestions you have for writer’s block. Leave a comment below!

#6: The Mathematical Secrets of Pascal’s Triangle

October 7, 2015Math Mini Sparkslspady

Pascal’s Triangle, named after Blaise Pascal, a famous French Mathematician and Philosopher, is more than a triangular shape of numbers. The patterns found within the triangle are FASCINATING! Investigate some of the treasures found within the triangle in this math mini spark.

1 1 1

1 2 1

1 3 3 1

1 4 6 4 1

1 5 10 10 5 1

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #6: The Mathematical Secrets of Pascal’s Triangle

2. Watch this video about Pascal’s Triangle. On your recording page answer these questions: Describe a pattern you notice within the triangle. What numbers would be in the next row?

3. At 1:20 in the video, the Triangular Numbers are highlighted. The picture below shows the first 5 triangular numbers. Draw the next 2 triangular numbers on your recording page.

4. At 1:58 in the video, the Pentagonal Numbers are highlighted. The picture below shows the first 5 pentagonal numbers. Draw the next 2 pentagonal numbers on your recording page.

5. Do some more research on Pascal’s Triangle at Math is Fun. Don’t feel like you have to explain everything about the triangle, just pick a couple patterns to highlight on your recording page.

6. This TED Ed Video takes the explanation of Pascal’s Triangle to a higher level, but it’s worth a watch to discover even more patterns within the triangle. Record 5 details from the video on your recording sheet.

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

Early Enrichment #4: Alien Invasion

October 1, 2015Early Enrichmentlspady

Imagine you are a scientist for NASA responsible for a top secret research project on one of the planets. Your job is to inform the world on what your planet is like, and if there is any form of life living there.

First, watch the videos to learn about what planets you can find in our solar system.

Then, choose a planet to research using one of the links below.

Planet for Kids

National Geographic Kids- What is a Planet?

Here are some questions to think about as you research your planet:

What does your planet look like? How far away from the sun is your planet?

What can you find on your planet? Is the temperature cold or hot?

What is the surface like? How long does it take your planet to go around the sun?

After researching your planet, show what you have learned by designing a Planet Report. Your report should include important information about your planet and a drawing of an alien life form that could survive on it. Be sure to label and describe your alien’s features, for example eyes, and why they are vital for your alien’s survival.

Share your Planet Report and Alien with your EY Coordinator!

Geography Bee Practice Quizzes

September 30, 2015Uncategorizedlspady

Test your geography knowledge and prepare for the Geography Bee at the same time! The links below contain questions from the 2014 Geo Bee so you can get familiar with the types of questions. Take each test and then check with the EY coordinator at your building to find out your scores.

You can also take take a daily GeoBee quiz here: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/quiz/today/

Good luck!

#6:Cardboard Arcade Challenge

September 23, 2015Full STEAM Aheadlspady

What arcade games can you make out of cardboard? Using a cardboard box, some paper, a few around-the-house items, and a little bit of engineering, you can create your own pinball machine. You could also make a plan for a marble maze. Use cardboard and some tape so you can and guide a marble around a cardboard track. Ring Toss. DIY Bowling. Household Mini Golf……so many choices!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #6:Cardboard Challenge

2. Caine’s Arcade is where the idea first started. Watch this video. On your recording sheet, write down some of Caine’s ideas that impressed you.

3. Set up your recording page with these three sections.

Ticket Grab Game

Labyrinth Game

Cardboard Games

4. When you are watching each of the videos, record ideas, details, and examples of creativity on your recording sheet.

Ticket Grab Game:

5. Write about a game that you would like to create. Record the materials you would use, draw an sketch of the game and give it a name.

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

Do you want to make your own cardboard game? Check out the Cardboard Challenge badge at the EY Website

#5: Sieve of Eratosthenes

September 18, 2015Math Mini Sparkslspady

A sieve is a kitchen utensil that is used to strain solids from liquids or for separating coarser from finer particles. The Sieve of Eratosthenes is similar because it’s used to separate out all the prime numbers from a given set of numbers.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #5: Sieve of Eratosthenes

2. Listen to the pronunciation of Eratosthenes several times. Practice saying “Eratosthenes”

3. Learn about Prime Numbers at Math is Fun and then answer these question on your recording page. What is a prime number anyway? What is the smallest prime number? Is 1 prime? Why or Why not? Are all odd numbers prime? How many prime numbers are there between 1 and 100?

4. Watch this video about the Sieve of Eratosthenes.

5. Do this online prime number activity and Add a picture of the finished chart to your recording page. If you would rather use paper, print out this 100 chart and find the prime numbers.

6. Read this article and find out about Eratosthenes. Consider the following questions as you read and record your responses on your recording sheet.

What were 2 of Eratosthenes’ nicknames and what did they mean?

What is Eratosthenes known for besides the Sieve named after him?

What kind of man was Eratosthenes?

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

BOTB Update

September 15, 2015Uncategorizedlspady

Thank you for your patience as the EY Team continues to refine the Battle of the Books competition details. We took your feedback from previous years and we are working hard to make sure we provide a great learning experience for our students. We must also focus on aligning all opportunities with our team goals. Please note the following BOTB details:

Teams of 3-5 students should register their team online at http://tinyurl.com/wcsBOTB16 by November 30th. NOTE: While students in grades 3-6 are invited to participate, parents need to realize that some of the content in the books may contain sensitive information. Please note the chart at the bottom of this post as it suggests grade levels for each book.
- Each team will need an adult team leader. The role of this person is to support the students as they are reading the books. The team leader may choose to organize lunches and after school meetings where students can meet and discuss the books. The team leader need not attend the BOTB events.
- Some adult leaders choose to read the books along with the students and write sample questions for the students to practice answering. This can be a shared task if there are multiple teams from a particular school. The format of the questions will be fill in the blank, short answer, and multiple choice.
Teams have until the end of February to read as many of the BOTB books. Some teams have each member of the team read all the books. Others teams split the books up among team members.
Students that attended BOTB last year are familiar with the projects that went along with each book. While the projects are not required this year, students are encouraged to complete a project for at least 2 of the books they read. A list of possible project ideas can be found here. Librarians and classroom teachers also have suggestions for book projects. If a team qualifies for the BOTB Showdown, each team member will be allowed to submit up to 2 projects for judging.
All teams will take a Preliminary Qualifying Test at the end of February. Teams will set up a time with the EY coordinator at the building to take this 50-question online test. The test must be completed within 43 minutes.
The top scoring team from each school (10), plus the next 6 highest scoring teams will be invited to attend the Westside Battle of the Books Showdown on March 10 at the Underwood Hills. During this all day event, the top 16 teams will take part in reading enrichment opportunities, as well as compete in the BOTB competition.
Adult team leaders may choose to organize a school Battle for any teams not qualifying for the Westside event. If the adult team leaders wish to organize a school Battle, the EY team will share all the rounds of questions.
The top 4 Westside teams will be invited to attend another Battle with Ralston schools. The date for this competition has not been set yet.

Westside Excellence in Youth

Talent & Interest Development for All Learners

All posts by lspady

Quarter 1 is behind us!

#7: Mayan Math

The Mayans were a classical civilization of Mesoamerica. Originating in the Yucatan around 2600 B.C.E., they rose to prominence around A.D.E. 250 in present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala, western Honduras, El Salvador, and northern Belize.

Spark your math thinking!

Early Enrichment #5: Matific Episodes

Writer’s Block

#6: The Mathematical Secrets of Pascal’s Triangle

Pascal’s Triangle, named after Blaise Pascal, a famous French Mathematician and Philosopher, is more than a triangular shape of numbers. The patterns found within the triangle are FASCINATING! Investigate some of the treasures found within the triangle in this math mini spark.

1

1 1

1 2 1

1 3 3 1

1 4 6 4 1

1 5 10 10 5 1

Spark your math thinking!

Early Enrichment #4: Alien Invasion

Geography Bee Practice Quizzes

#6:Cardboard Arcade Challenge

Spark your thinking!

#5: Sieve of Eratosthenes

A sieve is a kitchen utensil that is used to strain solids from liquids or for separating coarser from finer particles. The Sieve of Eratosthenes is similar because it’s used to separate out all the prime numbers from a given set of numbers.

Spark your math thinking!

BOTB Update