Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#56: Code a Trick or Treat Game

Full STEAM Ahead

Code a spooky game for others to play. Follow the tutorial instructions to make a simple game. Customize your game to make it your very own.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #56: Code a Trick or Treat Game.

2. Watch this video that show how to code this project in scratch junior.

3.  Now you are going to design your own game.

4. Decide if you want to do a trick or treat theme, or use this same idea, but with your own designs.

5. Please have at least 3 items coded in your final project.  Example: the pumpkin the first candy, the second candy.

6. On your recording page, write what project you are going to create.

7. Code your project. If you want to make a split screen, and run the video again as a guide that is an option.

8. Take a screenshot of the blocks for each of your items. Add this to your recording page.

9.  Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and you finished project with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Scratch Jr coding badge at the EY website.

#90: A Ridiculous, Long Way to Find Out the Day of the Week You Were Born

Math Mini Sparks

Do you know what day of the week you were born on?  If not, you could…

  1. Ask your parent(s)/guardian(s) if they remember the day of the week.

  2. You could “Google”: What day of the week was May 16, 1975 (that’s my birthday)

OR

You can do this ridiculously long way…which is more fun IMO!

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #90: A Ridiculous, Long Way to Find Out the Day of the Week You Were Born

2.  Follow the steps. If you would like to see an example of the steps, scroll down to the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Take the last 2 digits of the year in which you were born.

Step 2: Divide that number by 4 and ignore any remainder.

Step 3: Add the day of the month to the answer from step 2

Step 4: Add the month’s key value to the answer from step 3.

January and October:Key Value = 1

February, March, and November: Key Value = 4

April and July: Key Value = 0

May: Key Value = 2

June: Key Value = 5

August: Key Value = 3

September and December: Key Value = 6

Step 5: Subtract 1 for January or February of a leap year.

Step 6:

Add 0 if the date is in the 1900s

Add 6 if the date is in the 2000s

Add 4 for the 1700s

Add 2 for the 1800s

Step 7:  Add the last 2 digits of the year.

Step 8: Divide by 7 and take the remainder.

Remainder 0 is Saturday

Remainder 1 is Sunday

Remainder 2 is Monday

Remainder 3 is Tuesday

Remainder 4 is Wednesday

Remainder 5 is Thursday

Remainder 6 is Friday

3. Now double-check your work by searching on Google!

4.Create a product that shows your work!  Example:

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

#89 Matrices

Math Mini Sparks

Matrices are rectangular arrangements of rows and columns. In this mini spark, you will learn about the basics of matrices.

Here are three examples.

    

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #89 Matrices

2. Watch the video below and take notes with the teacher and answer the questions that follow. Remind your teacher that the key can be found in the math mini spark folder.

  1. What is a matrix, and how is it defined in the video?
  2. Describe the different ways a matrix can be represented as mentioned in the transcript.
  3. Explain the condition that each row and column must meet in a matrix.
  4. Give an example of a matrix with two rows and two columns, and list its elements.
  5. Why is the arrangement with three elements not considered a matrix according to the video?

3. Watch this second video. Please record at least 5 pieces of information from the video.

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

You can extend your learning by completing the Marvelous Matrices badge!

#71: Nonfiction Poetry

Reading Enrichment

Nonfiction poetry focuses on conveying facts about subjects through engaging and creative narratives. Nonfiction poetry can be a fun and thought-provoking way to tell a story or impart information.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #71: Nonfiction Poetry

2. Learn about the powerful rocket that was built to send humans to the moon. After reading this article answer these questions on your recording page.

  1. Which mission was the first to launch a human crew with a Saturn V rocket?
  2. How many sections did the Apollo 11 craft have?
  3. Which module did the Apollo 11 astronauts travel in for most of the trip?
  4. What does the V in Saturn V stand for?
  5. How heavy was Saturn V at lift-off?

3.  Listen to this example of nonfiction poetry about the moon mission Apollo 11, Eight Days Gone.  Record 3 adjectives (describing words), 3 verbs (action words) and what your reaction is to reading about humans visiting the moon.

 

4. Watch this video and write down the 5 parts of the poem.

5.  Look over this organizer.  Choose your space themed noun that will be the basis for your poem and record it on your recording page.

6. Number your paper from 1-5 brainstorm ideas for all of the steps of your poem.

7.  Create your space themed nonfiction verse in the form of a Cinquain poem on your recording page.

8. Ask your teacher to edit your draft.

9. Put your final poem on your recording page or type your poem.

10. OPTIONAL Find a photo, draw a picture, choose an app on your iPad to accompany your poem and create a visual display of your work.

11.  Share your language arts mini spark recording page, your poem and your illustration with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Lesson idea adapted from read, write, think

#59: Fables vs. Fairy Tales

Early Enrichment

 

Fables are stories that are passed down, with a good lesson or moral to be learned, and are about animals, plants, or forces of nature that are humanlike. Fairy tales are stories that often involve magical characters, have good and evil characters, and generally start with “once upon a time.”

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your early enrichment mini spark recording page #59: Fables vs. Fairy Tales

2. Watch a video about the differences and similarities of Fables and Fairy Tales. On your recording page, write an example of a fairy tale and an example of a fable.

 

3. Click on the video below to hear a story.  Record the name of the story on your recording page.

 

4. Was this a fable or a fairy tale? How do you know? Use reasons from the 1st video.

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

Check out the Folktale Fun Badge at the EY Website.

#49: The Museum of the Fur Trade

Social Studies Enrichment

If you take a trip to western Nebraska you can visit the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron, Nebraska. This mini spark takes you there without any traveling.

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #49: The Museum of the Fur Trade.
  2. Watch this quick video that introduces you to the fur trade. Complete a 3-2-1 for the video 

3 new things you learned

2 things you wonder

1 question you have

  1. The Museum of the Fur Trade was created in Chadron, Nebraska because it is located on the original James Bordeaux trading post, which is an important historical site. This trading post was established in the fall of 1837 as a site for the American Fur Company to conduct business with the Native Americans who spent their winters in the area. The trading post was reconstructed on its original foundation in 1956 & formally opened to the public later that year. Go to this site and read the article about this trading post. Make a list of 7 details about the post on your recording sheet-one from each paragraph.
  2. Learn more about the Museum of the Fur Trade by watching this video. Discuss the types of items that the Museum of the Fur Trade exhibits. What is unique about their collection? Use 3 sentences.

  1. Go check out the museum itself by taking the audio tours. Listen to two tours of your choice. For each on record the title, a summary, and 5 details. 
  2. Share your social studies mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#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.

#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.

To learn more about how snakes move, explore this Science mini spark.

 

#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/