Category Archives: Math Mini Sparks

#66: Alpha Bravo Charlie

Math Mini Sparks

Say what?

A student recently asked me if I knew the NATO alphabet.  I hadn’t heard of it so I told him to send me an email about it and voila…We have our #66 math mini spark!

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #66: Alpha Bravo Charlie
  2. Read about the NATO phonetic alphabet by visiting this site.  Record what you have learned.
  3. Learn about how the alphabet was chosen write about some new information that you learned.
  4. Visit the site to learn how the alphabet has changed over time. Record some details.
  5. Watch this video and then record the spelling of your first name using the correct NATO alphabet words.

6. Check out how the U.S. Navy uses alphabet flags, numeral pennants, numeral flags, and special flags and pennants for visual signaling.  Even though the flags are not used for spelling out words, draw the flags that would spell your first name.

7. What does the NATO alphabet have to do with math?

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

CM (Charlie Mike): Means continue mission.  Keep moving forward.  

#65: Smartphone Materials

Math Mini Sparks

How are smartphones built? What materials are used? Complete this math mini spark and learn more.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #65: Smartphone Materials

2. Print a copy of this worksheet.

3. Fill in the worksheet as you watch the video. Add a picture of your worksheet to your recording sheet, or include it when you turn in your mini spark.

4. Read some of the statistics about smartphones on this site.  Record a question about a statistic that you found interesting.

5. Review this metals in a smartphone infographic. Write 3 compliments and one suggestion that you have that would make it better.

6. Read about the rare earth elements at this page.  Create  a visual to display 8+ pieces of information about rare earth elements. Add this visual to your recording page.

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

#64: Divide by Zero?

Math Mini Sparks

So for now is sounds like we can’t divide by zero, but maybe there might be a rule that mathematicians could be tweaked to make it possible?  Check out this math mini spark and see what you think about this idea.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #64: Why can’t you divide by zero
  2. Watch this video that explains why you can’t divide by zero. Write down 5 ideas from the video.

3. Record 5 vocabulary terms with definitions from the video.

4. Read this info page from Math is Fun. Record 5 details from this page.

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

#63: Can you KenKen®?

Learning Opportunities, Math Mini Sparks

The goal of KenKen® is to fill the whole grid with numbers, making sure no number is repeated in any row or column. If it’s a 3×3 puzzle, you only use the numbers 1-3.  If it’s a 4×4 puzzle, you only use the numbers 1-4. The “cages” are outlined in dark black.  The top left corner of each cage has a “target number” and a math operation (+ – x /).  The numbers you put in the cage have to make the target number. Sometimes a cage is one square in which case, it’s a freebie.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #63: Can you KenKen®?
  2.  Watch this tutorial to get started.

3. Record important reminders from this tutorial on your recording sheet.

4. Print out the puzzles and try to KenKen®!

Click here for a 4×4 Puzzle

Click here for a 6×6 Puzzle

5. This website has many more puzzles to try. Find 2 more to do.

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

Check out the KenKen® badge at the EY badge page.

#62: Aibohphobia

Math Mini Sparks

Aibohphobia: the fear of palindromes

What’s there to be afraid of?  Palindromes are so cool!  Whether the phobia is real or made up, palindromes are definitely real and this week we’re going to have some fun with them!

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #62: Aibohphobia
  2. A palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of symbols or elements, whose meaning may be interpreted the same way in either forward or reverse direction (i.e. mom, wow, racecar, 10501, etc.).  Create a list of palindromes using this resource.
  3. Did you know that any number can be written as the sum of 3 palindromes?  It’s true!  Check out this Numberphile video. Record 5 details.

 

4. On your recording sheet, answer these questions after watching the video

  • Describe the specific example used in the video to demonstrate how to write a positive integer as the sum of three palindrome numbers.
  • How does the presenter compare the process of finding the palindrome numbers to solving a Sudoku puzzle?

5. Practice your multiplication by playing Palindrome Products. Take a screenshot when you are done and add it to your recording page.

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

#61: Math Contest

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

Who’s up for a contest? Mathematics competitions or mathematical olympiads are competitive events where participants complete a math test. Help to prepare for these events by doing a short practice contest.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #61: Math Contest
  2. Find the contest choices here
  3. You MAY use a calculator, but please work by yourself!
  4. Pick the grade level that fits you
  5. Do all of the work on your recording page and click “I am done” at the bottom. It will score your contest for you.
  6. Take a screenshot of your contest and share it along with your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the math contest master badge for more contest practice

#60: Millions, Billions and Trillions

Learning Opportunities, Math Mini Sparks

I really thought I knew everything there was to know about a million, billion and trillion until I came across a Numberphile video with new information!  If you’re up for a challenge and making your brain stretch a little, then this math mini spark is for YOU!

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #60: Millions, Billions and Trillions
  2. How Much is a Million by David M Schwartz is one of many picture books I have on my bookshelf.  It’s a great book to help visualize what a million, billion, and trillion look like.  Listen to this book .
  3. A Million Dots by Andrew Clements is another one of my favorites.  In the book, you will actually see ONE MILLION dots!  Don’t believe me?  You can count them yourself!
  4. Print a copy (or have your teacher print you a copy) of this worksheet. You can also record the sentences and charts on your recording page.
  5. Watch this numberphile video How Big is a Billion?

6. Fill out the sentences starters and the chart after watching the video.

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

#59: World’s Favorite Cookie

Learning Opportunities, Math Mini Sparks

What is your favorite kind of cookie?  These are some of my favorite treats. Check out his math mini spark about the world’s favorite cookie! Yum!

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #59: World’s Favorite Cookie

2. Watch this video about one of America’s favorite cookies.  Jot down some facts as  you watch the video.

 

3. Complete this quiz after watching.  Record your score on your answer sheet.

4. Check out this website listing 15 interesting facts about the “World’s Favorite Cookie”.  Record something new and interesting you read.

5. Work on this Bedtime Math post about Oreos. The answers are at the bottom of the webpage so don’t scroll all of the way down.

The Truth about Double-Stuf Oreos

 

6. Celebrate National Oreo day! Read facts about this day and record what you learned.

7. Oreo Thins have a diameter of 4.5 centimeters and a thickness of 7.5 millimeters.  record your answers to the following questions on your recording page. Look up the formulas if needed.

 What is the Circumference of an Oreo Thin?

What is the Area of an Oreo Thin?

 How tall would a stack of 10 Oreo Thins be?

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

#58: Watch a Math Video Everyday

Learning Opportunities, Math Mini Sparks

Research has been conducted on the effectiveness of using video in the classroom. Videos are better than the written word when it comes to information retention, education, and overall experience.  Videos have a way of making information “stick” and we are in a day and age were we have access to a plethora of videos that can help us learn.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #58: Watch a Math Video Everyday
  2. Print this worksheet.
  3. As you watch a video, jot down new and/or interesting information on your recording page.  What connections can you make?  Which video did you find the most interesting?  Silly?  Entertaining?
  4. Watch at least 3 of the videos to earn this mini spark.
  5. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Math Video Menu Badge on the EY Badge Page.

 

#46: Timeline of Mathematics

Math Mini Sparks

In this math mini spark you will explore the accomplishment of mathematicians that have shaped our math world.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #46: Timeline of Mathematics 
  2. Go to https://mathigon.org/timeline.  Click on a mathematician and read about their contributions. On your recording page, make a tiny info page for the mathematician with 3-5 details.
  3. Choose several mathematicians from each century and add the info to your recording page.
  4. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.