Category Archives: Early Enrichment

Early Enrichment #9: Winter Wonderland

Early Enrichment

Winter is coming! Check out these 5 Fun Facts about winter. 

In Nebraska, we get to experience the wonderful world of snow each winter, but can you imagine what it is like for people who have never seen snow before?

Check out this Panda, who has never seen snow before!

If you had a pen pal somewhere who had never seen winter, how would you describe it to them? What would you tell them to give them a clear idea of what the season is like where you live? This week’s Early Enrichment activity is to describe and record winter. Look outside to get ideas or use these questions to help you.

Weather: What is the weather like in the Winter? Is it always like that? What is normal winter weather like?

People in Winter: What kinds of things do people do to help them get through winter?How is this different from what they do at other times of the year?

Animals in the Winter: What kinds of things do other animals do to get through winter?
What did you learn from your study of winter? Do you think you can describe winter better now.

Comment below what you would write about to your pen pal!

Early Enrichment #8: Wonderopolis: Thanksgiving Edition

Early Enrichment

Renowned American chef Julia Child once said, “I’m very happy…if I can influence anyone to keep in the kitchen and make it a real family room and part of your life.” Does that statement ring true for your kitchen?

Image from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Parents_and_their_kids_cook_healthy_and_tasty_meals_150321-A-ZT122-110.jpg/639px-Parents_and_their_kids_cook_healthy_and_tasty_meals_150321-A-ZT122-110.jpg
Image from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Parents_and_their_kids_cook_healthy_and_tasty_meals_150321-A-ZT122-110.jpg/639px-Parents_and_their_kids_cook_healthy_and_tasty_meals_150321-A-ZT122-110.jpg

Does your family cook big meals for celebrations? Have you ever helped make a Thanksgiving dinner with your family? If you have, you probably know that there is a lot of directions and math involved in cooking. For this week’s Early Enrichment, check out this wonder from Wonderopolis:

Wonder #9 How Can Math Help You Cook?

(1) First check out the pictures and videos that go along with the topic. Do you know what they are pictures of?

(2) Second, read about the wonder. You can do this by yourself, by listening or with a grown up.

If you don’t know what the words mean, be sure to click on the yellow boxes to find out!

(3)Then, test your knowledge by completing the quiz.

(4) If you are feeling brave, try it out! Follow a recipe provided or create your own. Share your recipes in a comment below, and be sure to show your class and EY coordinator.

We would love to see what you can cook up!

Early Enrichment #7: Super Digital Citizen

Early Enrichment

How can you be a Super Digital Citizen?

Try this video on a computer! 

The Cyber Five!

  1. Never give your password to anyone.
  2. Don’t download unless you have permission, you might download a virus.
  3. Don’t respond to a bully online.
  4. Show an adult if someone is bullying you online.
  5. If you don’t like the website you are one, tell an adult and go back.

 

Can you think of some more rules that will help you be a super digital citizen? See if you can teach your friends how to be a digital citizen by making a poster or pic collage on how you can be safe, respectful and responsible online!

Share your ideas with your EY Coordinator and your class!

Early Enrichment #6: Alternative Endings

Early Enrichment, Uncategorized

 

42e8958eb76a1e913dc0805a20ea4528

Have you ever wished a story ended differently in a book?

I know I have!

Maybe it was missing more action, a happy ending, or a hook that makes you want to read more.

Try your hand in being an author, and write an ending for a story. You can use a book that you have read before, or checkout the ideas at this website.

http://www.stuartstories.com/activities/finishme.html

Comment below how you would end the stories!

Early Enrichment #5: Matific Episodes

Early Enrichment, Uncategorized

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

Screen Shot 2015-10-09 at 11.59.00 AM

Monster Shop

Screen Shot 2015-10-09 at 12.00.18 PM

Cherry Chomp

Screen Shot 2015-10-09 at 12.01.54 PM

Cut, Paste and Figure

Screen Shot 2015-10-09 at 12.02.47 PM

Weighing the Options

Screen Shot 2015-10-09 at 12.04.46 PM

Get Mixed Up

Screen Shot 2015-10-09 at 12.06.17 PM

The Monster’s Share

Screen Shot 2015-10-09 at 2.08.40 PM

Early Enrichment #4: Alien Invasion

Early Enrichment

aliens-36912_640

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!

#3: Let’s Simile

Early Enrichment, Uncategorized

Learn more about how to add spark to your writing.

 Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your mini spark recording page: #3: Let’s Simile

2. Watch this BrainPop Jr. video about Similes. Record a few of the examples from the video on your recording page.

3. Use this image as an example Draw your own image on your recording page.

Screen Shot 2015-09-08 at 9.59.26 PMpicture from ehssjadej.edublogs.org

4. Fall Simile Writing Activity. Copy these 3 of these sentence starters on your recording page and create your own similes. You may use your own ideas instead if you wish. Add color/designs to your finished page.

A fall leaf is a red as a _________________________.

A jack-o-lantern is a round as a______________________.

A fall leaf is a crunchy as a___________________________.

A fall leaf is as ____________________ as ________________________.

A pumpkin is _______________________like _______________________.

A bat is as ________________________as __________________________.

Halloween is __________________________as ___________________.

The scarecrow is ____________________like__________________________.

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

Early Enrichment #2: You can be an inventor

Early Enrichment, Uncategorized

Screen Shot 2015-08-23 at 8.01.52 AMBUILD A BETTER PENCIL

Did you know that the popsicle, ear muffs AND the trampoline were invented by kids? You can be an inventor, too. Take this challenge to create a new and improved pencil.

1. FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM

Inventors are motivated by things that don’t work. Imagine that your pencil keeps slipping out of your hand and it presses on your fingers and they get sore.

Figure out the problem!        Is the pencil too narrow?               Is the paint  to slippery.

Think about what might improve the pencil so that the problem is erased (no pun intended). Write your ideas down in a notebook.

2. LET YOUR IMAGINATION GO!

Brainstorm as many ideas to solve the problem of as possible. Next, turn these ideas into designs. Draw them in your note book. No matter how bizarre or unrealistic a design may seem, make sure to make sure to include it. Although a design may seem impossible, it might inspire a realistic solution.

Comment below to share your ideas or Snap a picture of your best pencil idea and share it with the EY coordinator in your building.

 

Early Enrichment #1: Pebble Go or Pebble Go Next

Early Enrichment, Uncategorized

EXPLORE ANIMALS, FAMOUS PEOPLE, SOCIAL STUDIES, and DINOSAURS

Screen Shot 2015-08-07 at 1.50.30 PM

Do love to learn new things? Pebble Go or Pebble GO Next is your go-to for facts, pictures, videos, and games!

  1. Choose a topic to learn about
  2. Learn 10 things
  3. After doing research at Pebble Go, create a pic collage, apple clip, explaineEverything, or your favorite presentation tool to share your findings.
  4. Share this presentation with your teacher. Respond to this post and share what topic you choose to research.

Create-a-Plant

Early Enrichment, Uncategorized
CREATE-A-PLANT

Screen Shot 2015-08-07 at 1.29.29 PM

Research to find out more about the parts of a plant

1. Watch this video

2. Study the parts of a plant at this site- kids growing strong

Show What You’ve Learned

You are a botanist who has just discovered a new type of plant. As every good scientist does, you will document your exciting finding. Design a fact sheet highlighting your new plant discovery. Be sure to include the following key pieces of information:

• your plant’s name
• your plant’s basic needs
• your plant’s parts
• where your plant lives
• a colored illustration of your plant in its natural habitat

Your fact sheet might have text features like labels, captions, maps, bold words, subheadings, and more.

lesson idea adapted from ilove2teach.blogspot.com/