Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#85: Compare and Contrast

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

Looking at how things are alike and different helps us think critically. It allows us to analyze information about animal behavior and ecology, so we can understand and form our own ideas about how animals live and interact with their environment.

Spark your thinking!

1.  Set up your language arts mini spark page #85: #85: Compare and Contrast

2. Read this article about seals and sea lions. Write down 5 details about each animal.

3. This article outlines how the animals are different, but there are ideas in the article that suggest how they are the same as well. On your recording sheet use what you learned to make 4 sentences about seals and sea lions using these sentence starters.

1. __________ and __________ are alike because __________.

2. __________ and __________ are different because __________.

3. The most interesting difference between __________ and __________ is __________.

4.  While __________ and __________ are alike because __________, they have different __________.

4. Read this article about crocodiles and alligators. Make a colorful fact sheet with 5-10 facts for each animal.

5.  Create a Venn Diagram on your recording page. Record at least 5 items in each section. The far left section will have information that is only true for alligators, the far right section is only true for crocodiles, and the middle section is information that they share.

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

#108: Happy 2025

Math Mini Sparks

Happy 2025!

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #108: Happy 2025

2. Watch THIS VIDEO and write down at least 3 of the math problems given in the video that equal 2025.

Dig a little deeper!

3. Complete THIS WORKSHEET in your notebook putting a checkmark next to the ones that are incorrect and a star next to the ones that are correct.  In your notebook, record the incorrect answers and see if you can write the correct answer.

#84:  The Incredible Octopus

Reading Enrichment

Octopuses possess the capability to tackle challenges, acquire knowledge through watching others, and even utilize tools – similarly to humans. However, what makes the intelligence of octopuses truly remarkable is that it arises from a biological framework that is entirely unlike our own.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts recording page: #84:  The Incredible Octopus

2. Watch this TED Ed video.  Record 5-10 interesting details from the video on your recording page.

3.  Listen to the story Inky the Octopus. The story is written in a poem format. Record the rhyming sets of words as you listen.

4. Look over these reminders about how to write a diary entry.

  • Written in the first person
  • Includes the date and/or time it was written
  • Starts with ‘Dear diary,’
  • Include an introduction to set the scene
  • Signed with the writer’s name
  • Writes events in the past tense
  • Tell events in chronological order
  • Include personal emotions and feelings

5.  Imagine you are Inky the octopus living in the aquarium. Write a 6+ sentence diary entry for the day you planned your escape. Describe what you saw, how you felt, and the challenges you faced. Don’t forget to include the details of your successful escape into the ocean. Check the reminder list before you start.

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

Use steps 2 and 4 from this mini spark to get a start on a new badge! Check out the Inky the Octopus badge at the EY Website.

#107: Hidato Puzzles

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

Hidato Puzzles (or Hidoku Puzzles) are the creation of Dr. Gyora M. Benedek, an Israeli mathematician. The Hebrew word “hida” means riddle. In a hidato puzzle, you are given a grid with a selection of the numbers already filled in.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #107: Hidato Puzzles

2. Watch THIS VIDEO and write down, in your own words, how to solve a Hidato Puzzle.  A sample sentence can be found at the end of this post.  You can also visit THIS SITE and get some additional information about Hidato Puzzles, as well as some tips for solving them.

Dig a little deeper!

3. Try solving some Hidato Puzzles on your own!  THIS LINK will take you to several puzzles at varying difficulty levels.  Work with your EY Coordinator to decide how many you need to complete to finish this Mini Spark.

4.  Want to go further?  You can by earning the Hidato Puzzle Badge!  Check out the requirements HERE.  NOTE:  Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Sample Sentence:  One can solve a Hidato Puzzle by connecting numbers in ascending order (starting at 1)  to the next number either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

#106: Plethora of Patterns

Math Mini Sparks

  

Patterns are EVERYWHERE!

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #106: Plethora of Patterns

2. Look at the image below.  What are 3 patterns you notice?  See if you can come up with the next row.  Does the the next row after that follow the same pattern?  What about after that?  Grab a calculator and see how far you can go! Record your answers on your recording page.

Dig a little deeper!

3. Watch the video and try to create the pattern.  If you have toothpicks, GREAT!  If not, don’t worry.  Just draw lines with your pencil to represent the toothpicks.  Take a picture of your pattern and add it to your recording page.

4. Watch the video and write down at least 3 of the patterns given on your recording page.

5. Watch the video and write down at least 5 notes/images about triangular numbers.

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

#105: The Birthday Problem

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #105: The Birthday Problem

2.  Watch this video. Write a summary of the birthday paradox to someone who has not heard of it before. Use at least 3 sentences.

4.  Carefully, read this article at Wonderopolis.  Take the wonderword challenge and the did you get it quiz after reading. Record your scores.

5. Watch this video from the beginning. Take notes while watching when they start to do the math around 2:00 and record the percents as well. Continue to take notes. On your recording page, explain why people are not able to answer the birthday problem very easily.

6. Advanced option-Read this lesson at Math is Fun.  Record details as you work through the lesson.

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

 

#104: Probability

Math Mini Sparks

The concept of this math mini spark is straightforward. The probability of an event happening is the number of times you expect that event to happen out of many tries. Probabilities always fall between 0 and 1.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #104: Probability 

2. Make a chart like this on your recording page.

Event Probability→ Fraction Probability→Decimal
P (yellow)
P (green) 
P (not red)
P (green or orange)
P (blue)

3.Watch this intro video.  Pause the video @ 3:40 and record the probability of each of the events on the chart on your recording page. You can use a calculator for the decimals.

4.  Copy this chart in your notebook.

5.  Number your recording page from 1-5. Read each example and record if it is experimental or theoretical. Scroll down to the bottom of this post to check your work. Add a star if it is correct or add in the correct answer.

Probability Puzzles: Theoretical or Experimental?

  1. A fair six-sided die is rolled. What is the probability of rolling an even number? Is this theoretical or experimental probability?
  2. Sarah flipped a coin 50 times and got 28 heads. What is the probability of getting heads based on Sarah’s experiment? Is this theoretical or experimental probability?
  3. In a bag, there are 3 red marbles, 4 blue marbles, and 5 green marbles. What is the probability of picking a blue marble without looking? Is this theoretical or experimental probability?
  4. A weather station recorded that it rained on 12 out of the last 30 days. Based on this data, what is the probability that it will rain tomorrow? Is this theoretical or experimental probability?
  5. A spinner has 4 equal sections colored red, blue, yellow, and green. Jack spun it 40 times and it landed on red 8 times. What is the probability of the spinner landing on red based on Jack’s results? Is this theoretical or experimental probability?

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

 

 

 

 

  1. A fair six-sided die is rolled. What is the probability of rolling an even number?theoretical
  2. Sarah flipped a coin 50 times and got 28 heads. What is the probability of getting heads based on Sarah’s experiment? experimental
  3. In a bag, there are 3 red marbles, 4 blue marbles, and 5 green marbles. What is the probability of picking a blue marble without looking? theoretical
  4. A weather station recorded that it rained on 12 out of the last 30 days. Based on this data, what is the probability that it will rain tomorrow? theoretical * note since “tomorrow” hasn’t happened yet it isn’t experimental.
  5. A spinner has 4 equal sections colored red, blue, yellow, and green. Jack spun it 40 times and it landed on red 8 times. What is the probability of the spinner landing on red based on Jack’s results? experimental probability

#103: Combinatorics 

Math Mini Sparks

Combinatorics is a branch of mathematics which is about counting – and we will discover many exciting examples of “things” you can count.  You can use combinatorics to calculate the “total number of possible outcomes”. 

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #103: Combinatorics

To do this mini spark you need to know a little about factorials. Steps 2 and 3 will review them for you.

2. The factorial function (symbol: !) says to multiply all whole numbers from our chosen number down to 1. Example: 4! = 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 24.

Complete these two problems so that they look similar to the example:

Example: 6! = 6 x 5 x 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 720

5! =

9! =

Scroll to the bottom of this post to see if you are correct. If you got it correct, add a star. Add the correct answer if needed.

3. Watch this short video that show you how to divide factorials. Don’t worry. It isn’t hard. Do the problems with the teacher on your recording page.

4. Study the first two columns of this teaching page.  Write the type of the formulas and the formulas on your recording page.

5.  Watch this video. Do the first two math problems with the teacher on your recording page. Try the last problem by yourself on your recording page. The answer is at the end of this post.

 

Advanced: Check out this teaching page. Each of the sections has a mini lesson, a practice problem, and a solution.  Read each lesson and try the problem on your recording page. Check your work. If you complete this, talk with your EY teacher about using this as a badge option.

Factorials

Permutations

Combinations

Combinatorics and Pascal’s Triangle

Combinatorics and Probability

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

 

 

 

 

5! = 5 x 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120

9! = 9 x 8 x 7 x 6 x 5 x 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 362,880

 

 

50 people are in a race. How many ways can gold, silver, and bronze be awarded?

Opera OMAHA: Poetry & Music Project 24/25 Call for Submissions

Learning Opportunities, Other Events & Contests

Now Accepting Poems for the 24/25 Project-Submission Deadline: Saturday, November 30, 2024

Students in grades K-12 from Nebraska and Iowa are invited to submit works of poetry on the theme of Neighborhood. Selected poems will be set to music and premiered during a public concert in May, 2025.

Theme for Poetry Submissions: My Neighborhood

The Opera Omaha Poetry & Music Project is a statewide program run in partnership with the Nebraska Writers Collective to amplify the voices of youth poets, both urban and rural, across Nebraska and Iowa. Last year, over a hundred poems were submitted to the Poetry & Music Project. These poems varied in topic, but one thing was very plain to see and that is the young writers in our region have both immense talent and unique perspectives.

This year, we want to see poems that explore how even though we all may be Nebraskans or Iowans, where we come from still has a profound effect on who we are. We want to see poems about your neighborhood, we want you  to think deeply about what community means to you and how it is formed. We know that it doesn’t matter if you grew up in Beatrice or Benson, McCook or Millard, Cedar Bluffs of Council Bluffs, we are only ever a collection of the places that we reside in, and our stories of these places help paint the full picture of what it means to be from the Midwest.

Submission Guidelines

  • Open to All K-12 Students in Nebraska and Iowa
  • Students may only submit one poem
  • All work must be original
    –All poems will be checked for AI generation, and if found will be disqualified from the project
  • Poems should connect to the project theme-Read the Prompts and attached below before starting.
  • Poems should be in Google Doc or Word file format
  • Poems should use Times New Roman, Helvetica, or Arial font
  • Poems may be in any structure, but may not be more than 250 words or 1 page in length
  • Poem submissions should not include images
  • Submission Deadline: Saturday, November 30, 2024
  • https://form.jotform.com/242526413731148

 

 

Prompts

The following prompts will help you explore your neighborhood and hopefully inspire you to write something that a composer can bring to life and shine light on wherever it is that you call home.

The People

A community is a group of people living in the same place and having common experiences. We want you to bring the people of your community alive. Make a list of all the people that come to mind when you think about “Your Neighborhood” even if you don’t know them that well. Who is well known and who isn’t? How do these people interact with you on the day to day? How are these people the same as you and how are they different? Explore all of these things and share the stories of the people in your vicinity and share their stories.

If you get stuck maybe look at this poem “Neighbors” by James Crews in which the poet chronicles all of the people he is likely to encounter while talking a stroll through his community. Think about the people in your neighborhood and write a little about what you know about them. Explore how these people are the same and how they are different or how they fit or don’t fit into your neighborhood. Tell the good, bad, strange, and otherwise funny things that you notice about these people.

Or consider “Neighbours” by Benjamin Zephaniah where he compares and contrasts what people think about him when they first see him and the things that people come to understand once they get to know him. Who is unlike you in your neighborhood? How are they unlike you? What is something you previously thought about them that you no longer believe? What is something that you think people would miss about this person upon meeting them? Set up a comparing and contrasting poem for one or multiple people around you.

The Places

One of the things that makes your neighborhood distinguishable, regardless of how big or small, is the landmarks. The corners, and parks, and playgrounds, and stores you grew up going to largely shape who you are and are full of nostalgia because many of them have been around for longer than we have been. Think about all the places you hang out or that people congregate in your neighborhood. Write a poem that is a love letter to these places. You can share their history or what they mean to you and your family/friends. You can use your own specific memories to create a timeline of this place or just pick one specific moment to write about but make sure you describe the space and its meaning in as much detail as possible.

If you need inspiration check out “Good Hotdogs” by Sandra Cisneros. She vividly remembers her favorite hotdog shop in town and how she would frequent it as often as possible. She describes the hot dog in detail but also, she describes the shop and how this food memory still resonates with her all those years later. Do you have a favorite restaurant? Or Snack shop? Or vending machine? Or place to take your food to eat it? Write a “five senses” poem using all five senses to describe what this place looks, feels, smells, tastes, and sounds like.

Or perhaps this “What It Looks Like To Us and the Words We Use” by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limon which explores not just an individual place but rather the open space we occupy. Think of the nature around your neighborhood; think of the trees, the grass, the parks, the skies, the clouds, all thing things that occupy this place. Think about these things influence how your neighborhood looks or how you’ve interacted with your space. Explore what is missing or how the passage of time changes these things from season to season or year to year.

The Things

Sometimes our neighborhoods can feel like they are too big to navigate and sometimes they are too small, and we want bigger adventures. We take souvenirs home from vacation and put them on our shelves to remind us of these times. Think of your neighborhood like a vacation, step outside how you see it every day and think about the things someone would want to collect from it if they came to visit for the first time. What item or items best represent where you are from? Would it be a souvenir cup? A random rock? A trinket from a store that you know well? Pick an item and write a poem from its perspective of your neighborhood. Think about how this object will travel to see new places but it will always remember where it came from.

The poem “POT (MUSEUM ARCHIVE“) from Shamshad Khan describes a piece of pottery in a museum and the author tries to explore its back story and how it must have gotten from wherever it was from to here. She uses the pot to describe so many people’s stories of relocation and how moving from place to place changes us. If you can’t decide what to write, pick something from your neighborhood and explore how it got there like Shamshad does in this poem.

Please reach out to the EY coordinator in your building if you would like any assistance with your poem or with your submission.

 

#82: The Story Spine!

Reading Enrichment

We are all storytellers. Good storytelling involves captivating an audience through the effective use of narrative elements, such as compelling characters, vivid imagery, and an engaging plot.

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #82: The Story Spine!
  2. Watch this video Pixar in a Box: Introduction to Storytelling. Pause the video to record 5-10 ideas about storytelling and what is needed to make a good story.

 

3. Watch this video about the story spine. Write the story spine prompts on your recording page.

 

4. Use a story you have just read or a story suggested by your teacher. Use the story spine template and fill it in for your story.

5. OPTIONAL: Create your own story idea using the story spine prompts.

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


Check out the Pixar in a Box badge on the EY website