All posts by lspady

# 18: Dodo Discovery

Science Mini Spark

The dodo was discovered by Dutch soldiers on an island in the Indian Ocean around 1600. It became extinct less than 80 years later due to deforestation, hunting, and the destruction of their nests by animals introduced to the island by the Dutch.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #18: Dodo Discovery 

2. Watch this video. Record 8 details on your recording page.

3. On our recording g page,  choosed two questions to answer. Please use 3-5 thoughtful sentences for each one.

  • Describe the origin of dodos as explained in the video.
  • How did dodos adapt to their environment on the island of Mauritius?
  • Discuss the factors that contributed to the downfall of dodos.
  • How did human activities, such as the arrival of Dutch sailors, impact the dodo population?
  • In what ways did the dodo prove to be a survivor on its island home before facing extinction?
  • How did the introduction of invasive species contribute to the decline of dodos and other Mauritian animals?
  • Reflecting on the extinction of the dodo, what larger lesson can be learned about human impact on wildlife?

4. Take a trip to visit Google arts and Culture and learn more about the dodo.  Scroll down slowly and read all of the information. There is so much to learn. Record your 3 favorite ideas on your recording sheet.

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

#75-Dakuwaqa:A Fijian Myth

Reading Enrichment

Across the Pacific, myths and legends are passed down through oral tradition. The myth of Dakuwaqa is deeply rooted in Fijian culture and serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world, as well as the consequences of greed and disrespect for the environment.

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #75-Dakuwaqa:a Fijian Myth
  2.  Watch this video. On your recording page, record the names of the characters as they appear.

 

3. Choose an activity to complete.

  • Write a simplified version of this myth for a younger audience.  Make your version 10-15 sentences long.
  • Read about kids helping sharks.  Choose two projets. Write a 5 sentences about each of the projects and the kids behind the project.
  • Research sharks and create an information page about them with 10-15 facts.

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

#17: Back to the Moon!

Science Mini Spark

We have been to the moon before and we did it again. In this mini spark you will learn about a recent mission to the moon, some history about a moon landing in the past, and what the future looks like for space travel.

Spark you thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #17: Back to the Moon!

2. Watch this intro video about Odysseus’ landing that occured in February of 2024. Take detailed notes as you watch.

3. In the video, they use the idiom at the 11th hour. On your recording page, write the meaning of at the 11th hour: the latest possible time before it is too late. Example: still making changes at the eleventh hour

4. In the first video you watched, it mentions humans going to Mars and how that has not happened.  Watch this video about this topic and record 5 details from the video.

5. Write down two reasons explaining why humans have not made the trip to Mars.

6. In two sentences, explain how going to the moon might help us get to Mars in the future.

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

Check out the Mission to Mars badge and Space traveler badge at the EY Website.

 

#56: The Pineapple Express

Social Studies Enrichment

This mini spark will introduce your to a current events resource, the World from A-Z, that promotes critical thinking, civil discourse, and compassion in your classroom.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #56: The Pineapple Express?

2. Watch this current events video that will help you understand the Pineapple Express along with many other topics. Explain the pineapple express in 3 sentences.

3. Choose 3 of the prompts below to answer to show what you learn from the A-Z video.

  1. What is the purpose of the light festival in Copenhagen mentioned in the video?
  2. Explain what an atmospheric river is and its impact on California.
  3. How do atmospheric rivers play a role in providing rainfall on the West Coast according to scientists?
  4. Describe the concept of neuralgia discussed in the video.
  5. What potential benefits and concerns are associated with brain computer interfaces like Neuralink?
  6. Share the historical significance of February 6th as mentioned in the video.
  7. How is scorpion venom used in various fields, as explained in the video?
  8. Describe the process of extracting scorpion venom as outlined in the video

4. OPTIONAL Check out more episodes at The World A-Z Video choices . Record the titles of 5 videos that look interesting to you.

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

There is a World from A-Z badge! Check it out on the EY website.-The World from A-Z

#16: Snowflakes

Science Mini Spark

Snowflakes can vary significantly in size and shape, often influenced by atmospheric conditions as they form. Each snowflake is unique, showcasing a fascinating array of structures due to the intricate process of crystallization that occurs as water vapor freezes in the atmosphere.

Spark you thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #16: Snowflakes

2. Watch this TED-Ed video. Take detailed notes on your recording sheet.

 

3. At this site you can see some snowflakes under a microscope and read about how snowflakes are formed. Record 5 things you learned on your recording page.

4. Create a script where you are interviewing a snowflake. Include 3 or 4 interview questions with the snowflake providing answers. You can use the questions ideas below as a guide or you can create your own.

  • What initiates the formation of a snowflake and how does it evolve into a complete snowflake?
  • Explain the process of crystallization and how it contributes to the symmetrical shape of a snowflake?
  • Why do snowflakes have six sides?
  • How does the temperature and humidity of the air influence the basic shape of an ice crystal?
  • What are the types of ice crystals formed at different temperatures, and what conditions contribute to their formation?
  • Describe how the atmospheric conditions encountered by an ice crystal affect the intricate shape and arms of a snowflake.
  • How do the different paths from the sky to the ground influence the unique appearance of individual snowflakes?
  • What are some of the diverse forms and patterns that individual snowflakes can resemble?
  • In what ways do slight changes in the surrounding temperature or humidity impact the growth and direction of the arms of a snowflake?

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

Check out the Story of Snow badge at the EY Website.

#55: Flying Rivers

Geography Bee, Social Studies Enrichment

Learn about the Amazon Rainforest and how the Wampís Nation has been protecting the forest and the largest river in the world. 

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #55: Flying Rivers
  2. Watch the video and keep track of at least 3 positive ways the Wampís people are helping our world.

  1. Imagine you are a scientist studying the Amazon rainforest. Write a 2 paragraph journal entry describing the incredible biodiversity you have observed, why it is important to protect this unique ecosystem, and the flying rivers. Please include these words in your journal entry.
  • Ecosystem: A community of living organisms, along with their nonliving environment, interacting as a system.
  • Biodiversity: The variety of living organisms in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
  • Indigenous: Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.
  1. Share your social studies mini spark recording page  with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#54: Planting Trees

Geography Bee, Social Studies Enrichment

Trees help clean the air. Trees produce the pure oxygen we breathe, and remove air pollution by lowering air temperature, through respiration and by retaining particulates, but can it be bad to plant a tree?

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #54: Planting Trees
  2. Before watching the video spend a few minutes thinking about possible times/situations when you would not want to plant a tree. Write down your ideas.
  3. Watch this TED EDU video about helping our environment by planting trees. This same video is also about how our environment can be hurt by planting trees. While you watch, take notes tracking new, interesting, and important information.

 

4. After you are done, write an interview between a reporter and a tree. Choose at least 3 of the questions below to ask the tree.

Sample script

Reporter– Hello, Aspen. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. Will you please tell me the difference between afforestation and reforestation?

Aspen-Of course, I am glad to be here. The words sound similar, and they are but there is a difference between them. Afforestation is the planting of trees in places devoid of any forest, while reforestation is the practice of restoring recently degraded forests.

Question Choices

  1. Why are trees considered a solution to curb climate change?
  2. What is the Bonn Challenge and what is its goal?
  3. Why do companies plant trees?
  4. Why are natural forests better at carbon storage compared to plantations?
  5. Why is it important to consider the species of trees and the lands when planting trees?
  6. What are the unintended consequences of planting trees in regions that naturally reflect sunlight?
  7. What is the current approach of Chile in tree planting efforts?
  8. What are some methods mentioned in the video to re-green the planet?
  9. When is it bad to plant trees?

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

#74-Traditional Sayings

Reading Enrichment

It is helpful to be able to recognize and understand adages and proverbs in the stories you are reading.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #74-Adages and Proverbs

2.  Watch this intro video. Record 5 details on your recording page.

 

3. Read and review some of the more common traditional sayings to help you better understand the meaning of the text. After reading the following information, write a short definition and example for proverb and adage on your recording page.

Proverb

  • Proverb is a short, well-known saying stating a piece of advice or the general truth.
  • It can be described as a statement of practical wisdom expressed in a simple way.
  • It is based on common sense or a person’s practical experience. Proverbs are typically metaphorical or alliterative in form.

Examples

  • Slow and steady wins the race. 
  • Birds of a feather flock together. 
  • Rolling stones gather no moss. 
  • It is better to be smarter than you appear than to appear smarter than you are. 
  • Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. 
  • Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. 

Adage

  • It is a short, common saying or phrase that tends to be old, known for decades or centuries.
  • It refers to popular sayings that give advice.
  • It expresses a general truth about people or the world.
  • It could be based on facts. It can also come from a specific situation or job.
  • It is similar to a proverb and proverbs could be adages.

Examples 

  • A penny saved is a penny earned .
  • Slow and steady wins the race. 
  • Better safe than sorry.
  • Nothing ventured; nothing gained.
  • You live, you learn.
  • Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

NOTE

  • An adage is sometimes called proverb.
  • They are usually smaller than proverbs.
  • So don’t worry about mixing both up, as they have mostly similar qualities.

4.  Look up the meanings of 3 of the examples  from step 3.  Explain what it means in your own words.

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

 

https://www.enchantedlearning.com/english/adages/index.shtmlAdages

#63: What to Do with a Box

Early Enrichment, Uncategorized

1. Set up your Early Enrichment mini spark recording page: #63: What to Do with a Box

2. Listen to this book written by Jane Yolen and Chris Sheban. On your recording sheet write about the different ideas from the story. Which one was your favorite?

3.  What can YOU create with a box? Print  a challenge sheet to use to record your ideas. You can also record your ideas on your recording page.

4. OPTIONAL: For a BIGGER challenge take the ABC challenge and use your imagination to turn a box, big or small, into anything at all. You can also do this challenge on your recording page

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

Check out the Cardboard Challenge badge at the EY webpage and the STEAM Mini Spark STEAM Challenge: Cardboard Box.

 

 

#73: Greek and Latin Roots

Reading Enrichment

Learning Greek and Latin roots can help your understand English better, improve your vocabulary, and learn how to read and spell new words.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #73: Greek and Latin Roots

2. Watch this video. As you are watching pause the video as needed to write down at least 10 root words and at least 5 affixes and their meanings on your recording page.

 

3. Study this image. On your recording page, write 5 of the the roots and meanings that will be the hardest for you to remember.

4.  Make flash cards for each of the pink and blue buttons. On one side put the root and the other side put the meaning. Study the cards. 5 times.

5. Look at the word list and find the matching set of cards for each. Lay them out on your desk. Take a picture and add it to your recording page.

6. Learn how to pronounce the 12 words.  You can do this by typing in the word into your search bar and then typing “pronounce”.  Practice each word several times.

7. Memorize the spellings of these 12 words. When you are ready, have a friend quiz you on the spellings. Record your quiz score on your recording sheet.

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

Lesson idea adapted from Khan and SpellPundit