Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#38: STEAM Challenge: Cardboard Tubes

Full STEAM Ahead

Are you ready for a fun paper tube building challenge?  With just a few materials, you can create a cotton ball launcher.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #38: STEAM Challenge: Cardboard Tubes

2. Watch this video. On your recording page write about what will be easy about the STEAM mini spark and what will be more challenging.

 

3. Read this step by step instructions on how to build the launcher. On your recording page explain if you liked the video instructions or the written instructions.

4. Collect your Materials. Ask the EY coordinator at your building for help getting supplies if needed.

  • Short pencil or popsicle stick
  • Thin rubber bands (2)
  • Cardboard tube (2 empty toilet paper tubes or empty paper towel tube cut in half)
  • Packing tape or other strong tape
  • Scissors
  • Cotton balls
  • Single hole punch

 

5. Take pictures of your supplies and add it to your recording page.

6. Use the video or teaching page from steps 2 and 3 as a guide and start building. Make sure to take pictures of your progress.

6. Test it out! If you need to make modifications, do so at this time.

7. Read this information. In this activity, you used two types of energy to load and launch your cotton ball. As you drew back on the pencil with the cotton ball loaded, you added potential energy to the system. The farther you pulled back on the pencil, the more potential energy was being stored. When you released the pencil, the potential energy became kinetic energy, and the cotton ball should have gone flying through the air!

8. Make a pic collage with the pictures from your project. Include the energy terms, information from step 7,  and definitions.

9. Add your pic collage to your recording page

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

Source: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/cotton-ball-launcher#instruction

#39: The Presidential Election Process

Social Studies Enrichment

How does anyone become President of the United States? An election for president of the United States happens every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #39: The Presidential Election Process

2. Watch this video to see the process explained from beginning to end.  Write a 6 question quiz about the content from the video. Use multiple choice questions, short answer, and true and false questions. Include an answer key.

3. What is the Electoral College? Watch this video.  Record the vocab words from the video with a short definition in your own words on your recording page.

  • elector–a person who casts a vote in the Electoral College. Each state legislature decides how its electors are chosen.
  • Electoral College–a group of people called electors who vote for president and vice president of the United States once every four years. Electors cast their votes on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December.
  • electoral vote–the vote taken by the electors. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A majority, or 270, of electoral votes is required to elect a president.
  • electoral majority–at least one more than half of the total. A person must win a majority of the Electoral College votes (270 of 538) to become president.
  • popular vote–the votes of all the citizens together. The popular vote for president is held every four years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. However, states provide voters with other ways to vote if they cannot or choose not to vote in person on that date.

4.  Set your timer for 3 minutes. Study this infographic.  How does this infographic help you understand the electoral college? Be very specific and include 3-4 details.

5. What questions do you still have or what parts of this infographic are not clear. Share your suggestions and/or what parts are not easy to understand in 2+ sentences.

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

 

Early Enrichment Mini-Spark #48: Pipe Cleaner Superheroes!

Early Enrichment

Source: https://frugalfun4boys.com/pipe-cleaner-superheroes

If you are a superhero fan, you will not want to miss this awesome craft! You will have a blast creating your own jointed and posable superheroes out of very simple materials. Pipe cleaners, straws, beads… You probably have most (if not all) of the supplies on hand!

First, grab your supplies:

  • Pipe cleaners
  • Felt, for capes
  • Straws – we used paper straws, but regular straws are just fine (and much cheaper)
  • Googly eyes
  • Pony beads
  • Wooden beads – we used 3/4 inch diameter beads
  • Tacky Glue
  • Hot glue
  • Scissors
  • Markers – we used Sharpie oil based paint markers. They bleed less on wood than regular Sharpies.

Step 1: Start by drawing hair and superhero masks on the wooden beads.

Step 2: Glue on googly eyes – SO CUTE! Then draw a little mouth.     

Step 3: Grab three pipe cleaners. Twist them together in the middle. I found that three “twists” was enough to hold them securely together. Then adjust them so that they are in the arrangement shown.

Step 4: Slide three pony beads onto BOTH of the bottom two pipe cleaners. This will form the body.

Step 5: Cut a straw into 8 one inch segments. (Or feel free to adjust the size!) We found that we could get 7 segments out of each straw, so you’ll need two straws per superhero, with quite a bit left over.

Step 6: Build each limb by sliding on a straw segment, then a pony bead, then another straw segment.

Step 7: Bend the ends of the pipe cleaners into hands and feet. I found that it helps to wrap some of the excess around the wrist or ankle to make it secure. Then trim off any excess ends.

Step 8: Slide the head onto the final two pipe cleaners. Then trim off the excess.

Step 9: To make the head more secure, attach it with Tacky Glue. Squirt some glue onto the pipe cleaners. Then slide the head on. We had a little bit of glue ooze out at the bottom of the head. Just wipe off the excess with a paper towel.
Step 10: Cut out a cape from felt and use hot glue to attach it to the backs of the arm segments.
In the comments below, share a picture of YOUR Pipe Cleaner Superhero!
**Extra challenge**: Write a story with your Pipe Cleaner Superhero (or heroes) as your main character. Share the story with the EY Coordinator at your building!

#38: History of Plastics

Social Studies Enrichment, Uncategorized

Plastic is not just used for milk jugs and bottles of soda…it’s EVERYWHERE! Watch the video below about the history of plastic and then do some further research on something specific mentioned in the video.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #38: History of Plastics

2.  Watch this video.  Record the names of plastics along with dates that they are invented, if mentioned.

3. Choose 2 questions to answer after watching the video. Remind your teacher that the answer key can be found in the social studies mini spark folder.

  • Who invented celluloid, and in what year did this invention occur? Describe the characteristics of celluloid that made it unsuitable for billiard balls.
  • What two substances were combined to create Bakelite, and why was it considered an improvement over celluloid?
  • List at least three types of plastics that were developed after Bakelite and briefly describe their uses.
  •  Explain the process of the manufacturing technique was invented that allowed for rapid production of plastic items?  
  • How did the production of plastics change during World War Two? 
  •  Discuss some of the environmental issues associated with plastic production and usage as mentioned in the video.

4. Check out Jeff Kirschner’s TED Talk. Learn more about the environmental impact of plastics and other litter and how solutions as being spread around the world.

The task for this step is to record the cities or countries Jeff Kirschner says in the video on your recording sheet. There will be 6 in total. ***Note: The last two places mentioned at the very end of the video. They are cities, and they both start with H.

5. Look over your list. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see if you have them all recorded. Put a star next to those that you can find on a map easily. Put a check by those places that you need to look up. Use a map to find those places. Change your checkmark to a star..

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oakland (mentioned a few times)

China

San Francisco

Amsterdam

Honolulu

Hanoi

 

#37: International Dot Day

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities, Uncategorized

International Dot Day is on September 15th. There are so many ways to celebrate that dot 365 days a year!  A dot might be small, but it’s a powerful way to show your unique individuality and creativity.

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #37: International Dot Day

2. Get started exploring the dot by watching “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds. What is the message of the book? Record your answer on your recording page. Use at least 3 sentences.

3. Go to wonderopolis and read about how this day is celebrated in classrooms. Take the did you get it quiz and add your score to your recording page.

4. Listen to the song, the Dot. What things do you do to encourage others, show persistence, and spread positivity.  Write 3-4 sentences about this on your recording page.

5. Timed Creative Challenge. Have an adult or a friend print this challenge sheet you.  Don’t look at the challenge until you are ready to get started. You need a pencil or colored pencils and a timer set to 3 minutes. Turn the challenge over and read the directions. Start your timer. When you are done add a picture of your drawings to your recording sheet.

OPTIONAL STEPS

6. Create a dot on a piece of paper. You can use markers, crayons, paint, or colored pencils.

Chatterpix Dot Day.gif

7. Animate your dot. Use the app Chatterpix Kids. Launch Chatterpix Kids. Snap a photo of your art, then add a talking mouth. You now have 30 seconds of recording time to talk about your dot!

8. Save the Chatterpix Kids video onto your camera roll, then share it with your teacher.

9. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page, your dot challenge and your Chatterpix with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Dot badge on the EY Website.

 

 

 

 

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Early Enrichment Mini-Spark #47: Moving Mammals!

Early Enrichment

Mammals are everywhere—from the Arctic ice to the driest of deserts. They live on land, in the open ocean, and underground. With more than 5,400 species, mammals move in all kinds of ways. They walk, hop, gallop, and swing from trees. They swim, dive, glide, and even fly!

Go to this website to check out how bats, bears, dolphins, gazelles, gibbons, and/or kangaroos move and learn some fun facts about each!

In the comments below, write down something you learned!

#37: Constitution Day!

Social Studies Enrichment

Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day, is observed every year on September 17th to commemorate the signing of the US Constitution. The constitution was created more than 200 years ago in 1787,  and contains the highest rules and laws for the United States.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #37: Constitution Day!

2. Read this teaching page about the US Constitution. Make a list of 10+ bullet points as you read.

3. Watch this Schoolhouse Rock video about the Constitution to celebrate Constitution Day! Write the Preamble of the Constitution  on your recording sheet.

4. Set your timer for 3 minutes. Study this infographic. Record 5+ pieces of information on your recording sheet.

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

#76 World Record Cat

Learning Opportunities, Math Mini Sparks

Sure, most cats are soft and furry. But this one has gone bonkers. Sophie the cat holds the world record for the longest cat fur. Measuring more than 10 inches long, Sophie’s fur might be longer than your own hair.

Judging from the look on her face, we’re not sure she likes having all that fur…and you can’t blame her. Her owners have to brush her out 2-3 times every week to keep it neat. But now that she holds the Guinness World Record for furriest cat, maybe it’s worth it.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #76 World Record Cat
  2. Check out this post about the world record cat, Sophie!
  3. Go to the world record’s page and read about Sophie.
  4. Create a PicCollage on the topic of Sophie and some of the facts . Do a bit of extra research to add a few more bits of information related to the topic.
  5. Research other animals that hold world records.  Add this information to your PicCollege.
  6. Create some of your own math problems using the data from the post about Sophie. Add these and the answers to your PicCollage.
  7. Share your math mini spark recording page and your PicCollage with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 source for lesson: BED TIME MATH Laura Overdeck

Early Enrichment # 46 Record Breaking Cat

Early Enrichment, Learning Opportunities

Check out this post about the world record cat, Sophie!

California rescue cat Sophie sets new record for longest fur | Guinness World Records

 

Sure, most cats are soft and furry. But this one has gone bonkers. Sophie holds the world record for the longest cat fur. Measuring more than 10 inches long, Sophie’s fur might be longer than your own hair. Judging from the look on her face, we’re not sure she likes having all that fur…and you can’t blame her. Her owners have to brush her out 2-3 times every week to keep it neat. But now that she holds the Guinness World Record for furriest cat, maybe it’s worth it.

Your Turn

1. Create a pic collage with the topic from this and some of the facts from the article.

2. Choose a math question to answer from the list below depending on your age.

3. Add question and the the answer to your pic collage.

4. If you want to do more of these challenges, add the Bedtime Math site to your homescreen on your ipad.

 

Wee ones: If Sophie’s fur is 10 inches long and your hair is 6 inches long, whose is longer?

Little kids: The previous record holder, Colonel Meow, had fur 1 inch shorter than Sophie’s. How long was Colonel Meow’s fur?  Bonus: They say eating salmon (a type of fish) makes your hair soft and healthy. If Sophie eats salmon twice a day, how many times does she eat it in a week?

Big kids: If Sophie’s fur grows 1 inch every 2 months starting now, could it be 14 inches long by next May? (We’re starting September now.)  Bonus: If Sophie needs 2 more brushings this week (Wednesday through Saturday) on any 2 days, how many different pairs of days could she be brushed?

Source:
http://bedtimemath.org/fun-math-world-record-cat 
By Laura Overdeck

 

#36: Draw a 3D Art

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities

Learn how to draw a 3D ladder and chair. These are  optical illusions from Trick Art for Kids by artist Jon Harris.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #36: Draw a 3D Art

2.  Learn how to draw a 3D ladder.

3. Gather you materials. Materials used: cardstock, Grey Bic Marking Pen (any gray marker will work), Black Sharpie Pen, toy car. Take a picture of your materials and add them to your recording sheet.

4. On your recording page, write about what is going to be hard about this art and what is going to be easier, in your opinion.

5. Using the video as a guide, make the ladder.

6.  Recreate the optical illusion of  cars driving under the ladder. Capture your work with your ipad camera.

7. Create this image as well.

8. Capture your work with your ipad camera.

9. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and your two art pieces. with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Image from Artist Howard Lee.
Image from Artist Howard Lee.
Image from Artist Howard Lee.