All posts by lspady

#11: Microbes Eating Trash

Science Mini Spark

Every year, humans churn out about 400 million tons of plastic, and shockingly, 80% of it ends up as trash.  But don’t worry, nature has its own cleanup crew in the form of microbes, ready to chow down on our plastic mess.

Spark you thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #11: Microbes Eating Trash

2. Watch this TED-Ed video. Record 5 interesting vocabulary words on your recording sheet.

3. After watching this video, answer these questions in an interview format. You are the interviewer and the interviewee is a plastic starfish.

  • How are man made polymers different than those found in nature ?
  • What are some common forms of plastic?
  • How do you break plastic’s chemical bonds?
  • What  never before identified bacteria was found in the lab from this video.
  • Why type of engineers worked on the project to create super enzymes?
  • What was discovered in Japan?

4. Advanced Option:Read this article and record your thoughts about this process.

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

2022-23 WMS Battle of the Books

MS Learning Opportunities

Did you participate in Battle of the Books in elementary school and wish there was a way to participate in middle school?  Well you’re in luck because on May 11, 2023, there will be a Middle School Battle of the Books Competition at ESU #3!

Send an email to Dr. Spady (spady.lynn @ westside66.net) if you’re interested in participating in Middle School BOTB!

2022-23 Middle School Battle of the Books Book List

  1. Barefoot Dreams – Petra Luna
  2. Before the Ever After – Jacqueline Woodson
  3. I Must Betray You – Ruta Sepetys
  4. Echo – Pam Munoz Ryan
  5. The Last Cuentista – Donna Barba Higuera
  6. Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story – Nora Baskin
  7. Lines of Courage – Jennifer A Nielsen
  8. Inside Out and Back Again – Thannha Lai
  9. Fall Out: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War – Steve Sheinkin
  10. Amari and the Night Brothers – BB Alston
  11. Flight of the Puffin – Ann Broden
  12. Beyond the Bright Sea – Lauren Wolk

#70: Why is there a “B” in doubt?

Reading Enrichment

Cat- C-A-T     Dog. D-O-G. Not all words have spellings that are as clear and easy to remember as these two. Watch this TED ED video about why there is a “B” in doubt.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #70: Why is there a “B” in doubt?

2. Watch this video. Record all of the forms of doubt and double from the video and 3 other details.

3. Do some research to find words with silent letters that are new to you. Record some that you have found on your recording sheet.

4. Read an article from Wonderopolis about silent letters.  Choose one question to answer with 2 sentences.

  1. According to the text, why might it be challenging to create a language where one letter represents each sound?
  2. What historical events led to the introduction of silent letters in the English language, according to the passage?
  3. Why does the author suggest that silent letters can be useful? Give an example from the text that illustrates this point.

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

2021-22 EY Challenge # 8

Current Challenge

Countdown to Summer!

Summer is almost here and this EY Challenge is going to help you think of different ways to express and think of the numbers 20 to 1 as we countdown to summer!

Task:  Create a Google Slides presentation, Pic Collage, or use any other app on your iPad to create a graphic for 20 days, 19 days, 18 days, etc. (see picture below). NOTE:  If you don’t start this challenge until later this week or next week (or the following week), you don’t have to go back and do the ones that have already passed.  BUT, in order to be included in the prize drawing, you have to complete at least 15 days total.

When you are finished with your 15+ days, you can email them to Dr. Spady at spady.lynn @ westside66.net

Some resources that might help you…

#55: Fold a Flying Bat

Full STEAM Ahead

Paper airplanes are pieces of art. Watch this video showing a paper airplane that has flapping wings like a bat. After watching, try to make one of your own.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #55: Make a Flying Bat

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

3. See how researchers are learning more about how bat wings work. Add a few notes to your recording page.

4. For the next step you will need a  few pieces of printer paper (8.5 X 11)

5. Watch this video. The teacher will show you all of the steps for folding your own paper bat. Be patient as any type of paper folding takes some practice. Tip-use a ruler to help you make the creases so they are very crisp.

6. Take a picture of your finished bat and add it to your recording page.

Steps 7 and 8 require teacher permission. Talk with your teacher before proceeding.

7. Try out your paper bat.  Find a space where you will have enough room.

8.  If you are happy with the results, add a few sentences explaining your project.

9. If you would like to go back to the video and try to build a second bat, please do so.

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

#10 Scared of Snakes?

Learning Opportunities, Science Mini Spark

Vipers are sneaky snakes that come with their very own set of sharp, pointy teeth! These special teeth, or fangs, have a little hole in the middle, like tiny straws.

Spark you thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #10: Scared of Snakes?

2. Visit this video and learn more about vipers without having to actually see one in person.  Listen for the answers to these questions and add them to your recording sheet.

The word “Viper” comes from what term, meaning giving birth to live young? 

What allows the viper’s fangs to be extra long?  

How does the snake’s rattle make noise? 

 

3. Choose a snake that you don’t know much about. Do research about the snake and create a colorful fact sheet with 8-10 pieces of information and add it to your recording sheet.  If you would like choices here is a list to check out.

4. Share your science mini spark recording page and your fact sheet with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Use step 2 of this mini spark for the Sneaky Snake badge at the EY website.

 

Author Visit at WMS-April 7

MS Learning Opportunities

“My stories are 6.8 parts fiction and 3.2 parts crazy stories from my life. I guess that’s what happens when I make bets with my stepson and end up in a BMX race . . . or I pretend to be a monkey in a treetop adventure with my daughters . . . or I get caught in a thunderstorm with my husband on a bike several miles from the nearest town. The list goes on . . .”

Quote from Angela Welch Prusia: https://www.angelawelchprusia.com/angela-welch-prusia/

Come meet Angela and learn about her journey as a writer of young adult novels.  She will have novels available for purchase ($10 each).  Check out the flier below!
If you are interested in attending this workshop, email Dr. Spady at spady.lynn at westside66.net

Flier:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rRoGQkJNHfgJ2bmPjAumQNyPpfq89yVD/view?usp=sharing

#69: ULTIMATE Writing Challenge

Learning Opportunities, Reading Enrichment

When reading a favorite story, take some time to notice the length of the sentences you are reading. Writers often use a variety of sentence lengths to create a rhythm. Using long sentences with lots of details, short and sweet to the point sentences, and combined with mid length sentences will make your story flow.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #69: ULTIMATE Writing Challenge

2. Watch this video. Write 3 notes on your recording about what will be easy about this challenge and what will be hard.

3. On your recording page complete the 12 sentence story challenge.

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

Post adapted from http://briantolentino.com/