All posts by lspady

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!

Reading EnRichment Contests to Check out

October 1, 2015Events & Contests, Other Events & Contests, Uncategorizedlspady

List of Writing Contests that are possibilities

Anne Frank Essay Contest – Grades 5 – 8 – Entry due ___________________

Metro Reading Council Writing Contest – Grades K – 12 Entry due ___________________

Americanism Essay Contest – Grades 5 – 8 Entry due ___________________

Totem Head’s Story Contest-Categories for ages 8 and under all the way up to 18 years-Entry due ___________________

Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest – Grades 5 – 8 – Entry due ___________________

Writing Contests!!!

October 1, 2015Other Events & Contests, Uncategorizedlspady

List of Writing Contests that are open now:

Anne Frank Essay Contest – Grades 5 – 8 – Entry due 11/20/2015

Americanism Essay Contest – Grades 5 – 8 – Entry due 12/18/15

Metro Reading Council Writing Contest – Grades K – 12 – Entry due 12/15/15

Totem Head’s Story Contest-Categories for ages 8 and under all the way up to 18 years-Entry due 12/31/15

Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest – Grades 5 – 8 – Entry due 3/1/2016

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!

Coder Dojo

September 28, 2015Other Events & Contestslspady

CoderDojos are a global movement of open source coding sessions led by volunteer mentors from education and industry. Kids learn how to creatively code at their own pace in a fun, relaxed environment. CoderDojos are FREE to attend, and the only rule is be cool!

In addition to a couple Westside sponsored Coder Dojos, there are additional ones sponsored by AIM scheduled for the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. Check out the dates here: www.aimforbrilliance.org/coderdojo

Next Dojo is Saturday, October 10, 2015

@ Kaneko (1111 Jones Street, Omaha, NE 68102)

1:30pm to 3:30pm
Beginner Coding: SCRATCH
Intermediate Coding: Python / JavaScript (HTML, CSS)
Registration opens: Sept. 28 at 11am and closes on 10/9 at noon.
Registration link: http://goo.gl/forms/QoAEvSTBJU

#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

Essay Contest for 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th graders!

September 22, 2015Other Events & Contestslspady

Do you like to write? Enter the “Americanism Essay Contest”! This year’s theme is: “What I Can Do to Promote Americanism and Love of Country”. There are two categories – one for 5th and 6th grade students, and one for 7th and 8th grade students. There will be a first, second, and third place in each category with prizes for each.

Click on the Link below for more information and to enter the contest! Entries must be submitted by December 18th, 2015.

Writing Contest

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.

Westside Excellence in Youth

Talent & Interest Development for All Learners