Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#79 Really Big Numbers

Math Mini Sparks

What is the biggest number you can think of?  What does that number mean?  For this math mini spark, you will be exploring some “really big numbers” and what they mean.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #79 Really Big Numbers
  2. In the episode, “Have You Seen This Snail?”, SpongeBob SquarePants is given a challenge of hitting a paddle ball 29,998,559,671,349 times in a row.  This causes SpongeBob to neglect Gary (his pet snail) and so Gary leaves.  Write this number out in words.

3. Visit https://www.britannica.com/science/Avogadros-number and write down Avogadro’s Number and what it means.

4. How many different positions are there on a standard Rubik’s Cube?  Visit this site and record the number in your notebook. BONUS: Write the number out in words.

5. Read this Calvin and Hobbes comic strip and record the really large number found in it.  BONUS: Read about another number found in a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip and record it in your notebook.

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

Thank you https://sites.google.com/site/pointlesslargenumberstuff/ for inspiring this this math mini spark.  It definitely sparked my curiosity!

#46: Make Oobleck

Full STEAM Ahead, Uncategorized

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #46: Make Oobleck

2. Watch this video. Record the science terms from the video on your recording page. When you see the materials needed to make oobleck, pause the video and record the list on your recording page. Also write a summary of the directions.

3. Gather your materials. Add a picture of your materials to your recording page. **Note a bowl works better than a cup for this project.

4. Make the oobleck. Take a few pictures during the process and at the end.

5. Record the answers to these questions on your recording sheet.

  • What do fluids and solids do, what determines their shape, and can they be compressed?
  • How is Oobleck like a fluid?
  • How is Oobleck like a solid?

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

#41 – Forever Ago Podcasts

Social Studies Enrichment, Uncategorized

Forever Ago® is a history show for the whole family! Every episode explores the origin of just one thing — like sandwiches, video games, clocks and more — while teaching listeners to think critically about history.

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #41 – Forever Ago Podcasts

2. Watch this brief video about the Forever Ago podcasts. Explain Forever podcasts using exactly 8 words.

 

3.  In step 4 you will listen to one of the episodes. After listening you will tell others what you learned. Print this  review planner or make your own digital copy to organize your thoughts.

4. Choose 1 episode to listen to from the forever ago website. Each episode is about 30 minutes so write down your stopping point if you can’t listen to the entire episode all at once. Write the name of the episode you choose on your recording sheet.

5. Fill out the review planner digitally or on paper.

6. OPTIONAL: Take a video of yourself reading your digital planner and share it with your teacher.

7. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and your planner with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 

#45: Science Buddies Contest

Full STEAM Ahead

K-12 students worldwide are invited to give engineering a try with the annual Engineering Challenge from Science Buddies. Announced every January, the Science Buddies Engineering Challenge lets students use their problem-solving skills to design, build, and test contraptions. The challenges use simple materials and are free for all to participate.

Spark your learning!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #45:Science Buddies Contest

2. Each challenge that science buddies has prepared for you has an introduction video that show the challenge and what you will build. Look at the list below and choose 6 that sound interesting. Add those to your recording sheet.

3. Watch each of the videos you picked. For each one,  record the name of the challenge, the materials needed, and summarize the project in one sentence.

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

Check out the Engineering Design Challenge badge at the EY Website if you want build one of the challenges.

Check out the STEAM mini spark #25 to learn about the engineering design process.

#54: What’s Cooking

Reading Enrichment

This mini spark has you wring all about cooking up something in the kitchen!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #54: What’s Cooking

2. Learn how to write a recipe. Watch this video to show you the steps. Take simple notes on your recording page about  the procedural text steps.

3. Learn how to write a recipe like a professional. Read this article which outlines the process.  This is very detailed, but has some really good pointers. On your recording page, write about how this article is helpful.  Include a question you have about writing recipes as well.

4. Ask a grandparent, relative, parent(s), teacher, etc. for a recipe idea. Add a picture of the recipe to your recording sheet

5. Using the recipe that you have been given, create a more formal version using the information from the video and the article.  The recipe should be typed and please include all of the procedural text steps.

OPTIONAL: Make something in the kitchen and take a picture/video of the process and/or final product.  Make sure your creation has a name and that you provide the ingredients necessary to make your recipe.  Make sure to get an adult’s approval first before you start.

6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page, starting recipe, and final recipe with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 

#44: Tangram Art

Full STEAM Ahead

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: 44: Tangram Art
  2. Watch this intro video. Write the tangram rules and puzzle shapes on your recording page.

 

3. Try out this a tangram puzzle site with challenges to stretch your thinking.

4. Choose 2 puzzles to solve. Add a picture of your finished puzzles to your recording sheet.

5. Make Tangram art! Choose a tangram animal or shape that you would like to use for an art piece.

6. Supplies needed: Ask your EY teacher for a plastic tangrams set, your choice of crayons, markers, watercolors, or colored pencils, and paper.

7. Watch the teaching video.

 

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

Check out the Tangram Badge at the EY website.

#43: Mini Stop Motion

Full STEAM Ahead

stop-mo·tion noun-a cinematographic technique whereby the camera is repeatedly stopped and started, for example to give animated figures the impression of movement.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #43: Mini Stop Motion

2. Watch this video to get started. On your recording sheet respond to these prompts.

  • What are some techniques used to create facial expressions in puppets
  • How has the introduction of 3D printing influenced the production of stop-motion animation?

 

3. In this video, the steps are outlined for how to use the app Stop Motion Studio.

 

4. Record your idea for a tiny story, what materials you would use for your stop motion and your set.

5.  Collect a few materials, add stop motion studio to your ipad, and create a tiny stop motion.

6. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and your stop motion with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Stop Motion Animation Badge on the EY website.

#42: New Inventions

Full STEAM Ahead

What inventions need to be invented? How about a bed-Making Machine: A fun machine that automatically makes your bed for you! Maybe a Spaghetti Twirling Fork: A rotating fork that helps you twirl spaghetti perfectly for a delicious meal. In this mini spark you will learn about some new inventions that have been launched.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #42: New Inventions

2. Every year, TIME magazine puts out its list of the year’s best inventions. Some of these help us solve problems. Others make life easier, or more fun. TIME for Kids features 10 of them here.

3. Go to the TIME for Kids webpage dedicated to the best inventions.

4. Number your recording page from 1-10. Write the name of each invention showcased in the post and a 5 word summary.

5. At the bottom on the page explain which one of the inventions you think is the best?

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

There are more invention learning opportunities at the EY website.

 

#53: Amanda Gorman

Reading Enrichment

Amanda Gorman is an L.A. native poet and humanitarian activist. Through her works, she tries to talk about oppression from the police, racism, discrimination, and women’s rights. She graduated from Harvard University in 2020 with a cum-laude status and was named the youngest poet ever to read an inauguration poem in U.S. history.

Spark your thinking!

1.  Set up your Language Arts Mini Spark recording page: #53: Amanda Gorman

2. Watch Amanda Gorman read her poem “Talking Gets Us There”. Choose one of these question sets to thoughtfully answer on your recording page.

  • Social Justice: Where do we see examples of racism? Where do we see examples of people who have “talked about it?”
  • Poetry: How does Amanda Gorman use rhythm to keep readers/listeners engaged? What lines stand out and why?
  • Art: How does the art/video enhance the meaning of the poem? What changes would you make to the art if you had the chance.

3. Watch this video. On your recording sheet list 5 ways that Ms. Gorman changed America.

4. Read this interview.  Choose one of the Q and A and write about your reaction.

5.  Write a rhyming poem about one of these topics: yourself, Amanda Gorman, poems,  or promoting change. Use this rhyming dictionary if you would like.

6. Share your Language Arts Mini Spark recording page with your teacher or EY Coordinator.

#78 If I had a million…

Math Mini Sparks

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #78 If I had a million…
  2. For inspiration, listen to How Much Is A Million by David M. Schwartz.

3. Explore the length of ONE MILLION objects.  You have two options for your recording sheet:  you can either print a copy or fill out a digital version. You can also make the charts on your recording page.

4. Create a visual to display your information.  You can use an app of your choice on your iPad or computer.  You can also draw/color on paper. 

5. Share your math mini spark recording page and ONE MILLION object page with your teacher/EY coordinator.