Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#65: Make a Maze

Full STEAM Ahead

A maze is a puzzle made of pathways, twists, turns, and dead ends. People have enjoyed solving mazes for thousands of years, from ancient labyrinths to giant hedge mazes and even digital games. In this Mini Spark, you will explore different kinds of mazes and then become an engineer by designing your own marble maze!

Spark Your Learning!

1. Set up your STEAM Mini Spark recording page: #45: Make a Maze

2.  Learn about mazes by reading the Maze Fact Sheet.

As you read, record:

  • Three facts you learned about mazes.
  • One fact that surprised you.

When you are done, scroll to the bottom of this page to see some answer options.

3. Try to solve a few mazes with your eyes only!

Record:

    • Which maze was your favorite.
    • Which maze was the most challenging.
    • One strategy that helped you solve a maze.

4. Watch this video to learn how to make a marble maze. Record the materials you will need. Ask you teacher for help collecting the materials.

5. Create your own marble maze.

Your maze should:

    • Have a clear start and finish.
    • Include at least 3 turns.
    • Have at least 1 obstacle or challenge.
    • Successfully guide a marble from start to finish.

6. Test your maze and make improvements.

Record:

      • What worked well.
      • What did not work well.
      • One change you made to improve your design.

7. Submit your completed Mini Spark recording page and a photo of your marble maze to your teacher or EY Coordinator.

There is a Maze Design badge to try at the EY website.

Suggested Answers for Step 2

  • Mazes and labyrinths are not exactly the same thing.
  • One of the earliest recorded mazes was the Egyptian Labyrinth.
  • The legend of Theseus and the Minotaur takes place in a labyrinth on Crete.
  • Scientists have used mazes to study how animals learn.
  • The world’s largest permanent hedge maze is located in Hawaii.

Your answers may be different if you found other interesting facts!

# 75: News for Kids

Social Studies Enrichment

News helps us learn about important events happening around the world. Reading current events can help you understand science, history, government, technology, sports, and people from different places. In this Mini Spark, you will become a young journalist by reading and summarizing a news article written especially for kids.

Spark Your Learning!

1.  Set up your Mini Spark notebook: Social Studies Mini Spark #75: News for Kids

2. Visit: https://newsforkids.net/. Choose one article that interests you and read it carefully. Record the title of the article and the date it was published.

3. Write a summary of the article in 5–7 sentences.

Include:

  • The main topic
  • Important facts
  • Why the event is important

4. What was the most interesting thing you learned from the article? Explain your answer in 2–3 sentences.

5. Browse the website and find three other articles you would like to read.

Write the titles of the articles and explain why each one interests you.

  1. Why I want to read it:

  2. Why I want to read it:

  3. Why I want to read it:

6. Submit your completed Mini Spark notebook pages to your teacher or EY Coordinator.

Use this mini spark work as one of your article projects for the News Nut badge from the EY Webpage.

#73: How Little Golden Books Changed Childhood

Social Studies Enrichment

Little Golden Books transformed children’s reading habits in the early 20th century. A Little Golden Book is a highly popular, classic series of children’s hardcover storybooks featuring an iconic metallic gold spine and colorful illustrations. Launched in 1942, the line revolutionized publishing by offering affordable, high-quality picture books (originally for just 25 cents) that were sold in everyday supermarkets and department stores. Before World War II, most children’s books were expensive and often available only to wealthy families. Little Golden Books changed that by offering colorful, affordable books with modern stories that millions of children could enjoy.

In this Mini Spark, you will explore how these books became a part of American childhood and why they are still remembered today.

Spark Your Learning!

1. Set up your Social Studies Mini Spark notebook: # 71: How Little Golden Books Changed Childhood

2. What are little golden books? Listen to this read aloud of a classic little golden book. By a famous author- margaret wise brown.  This book is known for its poetic quality and simple lesson that mistakes make beautiful colors. On your recording page, write a sentence about your favorite part of the book.

3.  While watching this video about little golden books, think about:

  • Why were Little Golden Books affordable?
  • How did World War II and the New Deal influence families and children’s reading?
  • Why was it significant that Little Golden Books were affordable?
  • Why was it important for books to be accessible to more people? What impact do you think that had?
  • Did you recognize any books in the episode? If not, how can you find them or learn more?

Choose 1 of the questions to answer on your recording page.

 

4. Do you think Little Golden Books changed childhood in America? Explain

your answer using at least two facts from your research.

5. Submit your completed Social Studies mini spark recording pages to your teacher or EY Coordinator.

Check out a few of the many book badges at the EY website.

#74: Ellis Island Interviews 

Social Studies Enrichment,

What was it like to leave your home, cross an ocean, and arrive in a completely new country? Between 1892 and 1954, more than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island on their way to a new life in America. Today, we can learn about their experiences by listening to real interviews from people who made that journey. Become a history detective and explore these personal stories in this Social Studies Mini Spark!

Spark Your Thinking!

  1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #74: Ellis Island Interviews
  2. Watch the background video about Ellis Island

 

As you watch, record:

  • 5 facts about Ellis Island.
  • 3 reasons people immigrated to America.
  • 2 challenges immigrants faced when they arrived.
  • 1 question you have about immigration.

3. Visit the Ellis Island Oral Histories website and choose three immigrant interviews to listen to. For each one make a list and include the following information:

the title of the interview

any dates that are given (date arrived in america, date of interview, birthdate)

the country the person came from

a brief summary of the interview. 

4. Answer TWO of the following questions in complete sentences.

  1. What character traits do you think immigrants needed in order to leave their homes and start over in a new country? Use examples from the interview.
  2. Was immigrating to America more of a risk or an opportunity for the person you listened to? Explain your reasoning.
  3. How might America be different today if millions of immigrants had never come through Ellis Island?
  4. What sacrifices did immigrants make in order to create better opportunities for themselves and their families?
  5. Why do you think oral history interviews are important for understanding history? What can we learn from personal stories that we cannot learn from textbooks?

OR 

Create a “Suitcase of Memories” for an immigrant from step 3. Draw a suitcase and place 5 items inside that represent important parts of their journey. Label each item and explain why it would be meaningful.

5. Share your Social Studies mini spark page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

 

To learn more about this topic, find the Ellis Island Inquiry Badge to complete.

#72: State Research Challenge

Social Studies Enrichment

Have you ever asked what gives each state its own character? Each state holds its own past, landscape, emblems, notable places, and well-known people. In this Mini Spark, you’ll act as an investigator and discover the United States state by state through brief videos packed with fun facts.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #72: State Research Challenge

2. Choose one state that interests you from the Untold History State playlist. Choose on that your don’t already know much about, from the video playlist. Before watching, record:

  • The name of the state
  • Its location in the United States (advanced Latitude and Longitude)
  • Three things you already know about it

Then make one prediction:

What do you think makes this state unique?

3. Watch the video for your chosen state.

As you watch, record:

  • State capital
  • State nickname
  • State bird
  • State flower
  • Population (if given)
  • Largest city
  • One famous landmark
  • One interesting fact

4. Share your Social Studies  mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Check out the badge, The 50 States Research Challenge, at the EY Website.

You can use this mini spark for one of your states.

You can also try the State Savvy badge from the EY website.

 

#90: The Hero’s Journey

Reading Enrichment

Why do so many stories from around the world follow a similar pattern? From Harry Potter to Moana, Percy Jackson to Luke Skywalker, heroes often go on adventures, face challenges, and return changed. This storytelling pattern is called the Hero’s Journey. Discover why this ancient story structure continues to appear in books, movies, myths, and legends in this Language Arts Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Language Arts mini spark recording page: #90: The Hero’s Journey

2. Before you begin, think about a favorite book, movie, or video game character.What makes someone a hero? List at least 5 qualities you think heroes should have and explain why each quality is important.

3. Watch the TED-Ed video: What Makes a Hero?  

Choose 1 of these questions to answer

  1. Explain in your own words what the “Call to Adventure” is and give one example from the transcript (or a story you know).
  2. Describe two events from the Hero’s Journey cycle that happen after the hero crosses the threshold into the special world. Use details from the video.
  3. The video says the hero may face “death and possibly even dies, only to be reborn.” What does this mean symbolically for a real person? Give one real-life example the video mentions or implies.

4.  Study this hero’s journey graphic for kids to use when determining the parts of the hero’s journey. What do you like about it? What suggestions do you have to improve it?

5. Read the article: The Hero’s Journey. What strategies does the writer have for you? Record them on your recording page.

6. Share your Language Arts mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

#70: The Underground Railroad

Social Studies Enrichment

How far would you go to help someone gain their freedom? During the 1800s, brave people risked their safety to help enslaved people escape to freedom through a network known as the Underground Railroad. Historians recently discovered evidence of a hidden room in a New York City home that may have been used to shelter freedom seekers. Learn about this remarkable chapter of American history in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #70: The Underground Railroad

2. Watch this video and record 5 important facts about the Underground Railroad.

3. Watch the video about the hidden room discovered in a New York City house connected to the Underground Railroad. As you watch, record:

  • 3 details about the hidden room.
  • 2 risks faced by people helping freedom seekers.
  • 1 question you still have after watching.

4. Set your timer for 5 minutes. Read a post at National Geographic for Kids. Study the map on the page as well. Explain what the different colors on the map represent.

5. Do you think ordinary people can make a difference during difficult times in history? Use examples from the videos and National Geographic Kids to support your answer.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Check out Social Studies Mini Spark #44 to learn more!

 

#68: The Lost Colony of Roanoke

Social Studies Enrichment

What if an entire town disappeared without leaving a trace? More than 400 years ago, over 100 English settlers arrived on Roanoke Island hoping to build a new life in North America. When help finally arrived three years later, the colony was empty—and the mystery has never been fully solved. Discover one of America’s greatest historical mysteries in this Social Studies Mini Spark!

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #68: The Lost Colony of Roanoke

2. Watch this video about the lost colony.  Why do historians think Croatoan Island may be connected to the disappearance of the colonists?

3. Sketch simple map on your recording page.

Add these labels

  • Roanoke Island
  • Croatoan (Hatteras) Island
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • Jamestown

4. Watch the PBS video, Discovering New Clues About the Fate of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island. As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about the Lost Colony.
  • 2 clues archaeologists have discovered.
  • 1 theory about what may have happened to the colonists.

5.  Read this article. Many historians believe the colonists may have joined nearby Native American communities, while others suggest different explanations. Recent archaeological discoveries have provided new clues, but no final answer has been proven.

Answer in 3-4 complete sentences:

Do you think the Lost Colony mystery will ever be completely solved? Why or why not? Support your answer with evidence from the article and videos.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

 

 

 

#67: Discover the Stock Market!

Social Studies Enrichment, Uncategorized

Imagine you want to open a giant lemonade stand business, but you need $100 to buy lemons, sugar, and cups. You only have $10. What do you do?

You could ask 90 of your friends to give you $1 each. In return, you give each friend a tiny piece of your business. If your lemonade stand makes a big profit, your friends get a share of that money. If it fails, they lose their dollar.

That is exactly how the stock market works, just on a much bigger scale!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page #67: Discover the Stock Market!

2. Read the information and answer the question, “What is a stock”, on your recording page. Use 2 sentences.

What is a Stock?

A stock (also called a share) is a piece of ownership in a company. When you buy a stock, you become a shareholder. If you buy a share of a famous company like Apple, Disney, or Nike, you actually own a tiny, microscopic piece of that company.

Companies sell stock because they need money to grow. They use the cash from investors to build new factories, invent new products, or hire more workers.

3.  Read the information and answer the question, “How did the stock market start”, on your recording page. Use 3 sentences.

 How Did the Stock Market Start?

The stock market wasn’t invented overnight. It started hundreds of years ago because of sea voyages.

The First Stock: Sea Monsters and Spices

In the 1600s, Dutch explorers wanted to sail across the ocean to bring back valuable spices like cinnamon and pepper from Asia. These trips were incredibly expensive and risky. Ships could sink, get lost, or be attacked by pirates.

No single person wanted to risk all their money on one ship. So, in 1602, the Dutch East India Company decided to try something new. They asked regular citizens to fund the trips. In exchange, citizens got a paper certificate showing they owned a “share” of the voyage’s profits. This was the world’s very first official stock market.

Under the Buttonwood Tree

In America, the stock market started out on the streets of New York City. In 1792, a group

of 24 businessmen met outside on Wall Street under a large buttonwood tree. They signed an agreement to trade stocks with each other. This outdoor meeting spot e

ventually grew into the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which is now the biggest stock market in the world.

 

 

 

4. Read the information and answer the question, “How does the stock market work today:, on your recording page. Use 2 sentences.

How Does the Stock Market Work Today?

Today, people don’t meet under trees to trade stocks. It is almost entirely done on computers. The stock market acts like a giant, digital supermarket where buyers and sellers trade shares.

The prices of stocks go up and down every second based on a rule called supply and demand:

  • High Demand: If a company invents an awesome new video game console, a lot of people will want to buy that company’s stock. Because the stock is popular, the price goes up.

  • Low Demand: If a company makes a bad product or loses money, people will want to sell their stock. Because everyone is selling and nobody is buying, the price goes down.

People invest in the stock market hoping to buy a stock at a low price and sell it later at a higher price, making a profit.

5. There is always a risk involved! The stock market involves risk. There are NO guarantees. If a company goes out of business, the value of its stock can drop to zero and investors can lose ALL of the money they put in. Summarize this information using 5 words.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or EY coordinator.

Want to try it out for yourself? Learn more about the stock market by completing the Stock Market Badge at the EY website.

#66: Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride

Social Studies Enrichment,

What would you do if you had to deliver an important message that could change history? In 1775, a silversmith named Paul Revere rode through the night to warn American colonists that British soldiers were coming. Learn about his famous ride and why it became an important part of American history in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #66: Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride

2. Before you begin, imagine there are no phones, text messages, or computers. How would you quickly warn people about an emergency? Record at least 3 ways you might spread important news in the 1700s.

3. Watch the video about Paul Revere.

As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about Paul Revere.
  • 3 details about his famous midnight ride.
  • 1 question you still have after watching the video.

4. Read the Britannica Kids article about Paul Revere. Create a web diagram with Paul Revere in the center. Add at least 6 facts you learned about his life, career, and contributions to the American Revolution.

5. Choose A or B

A. Imagine you are Paul Revere on the night of April 18, 1775. Write a diary entry describing:

  • What you see and hear during your ride.
  • How you feel as you travel through the countryside.
  • Why your mission is important.
  • What you hope will happen when people receive your warning.

Include at least 5-8 sentences with details that make the reader feel like they are there with you.

B. Many people know Paul Revere’s name, but other riders also helped spread the warning. Answer this question in 3–5 complete sentences:

Why do you think some people become famous in history while others who helped are less remembered? Use evidence from the video and article to support your thinking.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.