Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#35: The History of Pandemics

Social Studies Enrichment

The word “Pandemic” is a pretty scary word. It almost seems like it is something that no one else ever has before. But, that isn’t true. Pandemics have existed throughout history.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #35: The History of Pandemics

2. This a group of mask-wearing citizens, Locust Avenue, California, during the flu pandemic of 1918

Photograph: Raymond Coyne/Courtesy of Lucretia Little History Room, Mill Valley Public Library. © The Annual Dipsea Race.

Read about this pandemic at Kiddle. Look up and record the definitions of these words.

Influenza

Pandemic

Cytokine storm

Epidemiological

Antiviral

3. Scroll to the very bottom of this post and look over the definitions. Check with those that you wrote to make sure you were on track.

4. To learn about the history of pandemics, read the Time For Kids article.  Make a mini timeline with the pandemic dates from the article.

5. Read this information page about the bubonic plague that took hold of London in 1665. What caused the plague? When was the cause of the plague discovered? What were the two ways that the plague finally came to an end?

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Influenza: a highly contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system, causing symptoms such as fever, cough, and body aches.

Pandemic: an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects a large proportion of the population.

Cytokine storm: an excessive immune response in which the body releases too many cytokines, leading to inflammation and damage to tissues and organs.

Epidemiological: relating to the study of how diseases spread and can be controlled within populations.

Antiviral: a type of medication that specifically targets viruses to treat viral infections, preventing them from multiplying and spreading in the body.

#34: The San Diego Zoo

Social Studies Enrichment

The San Diego Zoo is a beautiful 100-acre wildlife park that is home to more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals representing over 680 species and subspecies.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #34: The San Diego Zoo

OPTIONAL: Print this recording page to use for this mini spark

2. Do you know where San Diego, California is? It’s waaaaaaay at the bottom of California – check it out on the map. On your recording page, write 5 facts that you found while looking at the map.

3. Divide your recording page into 3 sections. Choose 3 letters of the the alphabet and label each section with one of the letters you picked.

4. San Diego has an incredible zoo. You can meet and learn about just about any animal from A-Z at their website! Visit the San Diego Zoo!  For each letter that you picked, research an animal that starts with that letter. For each animal record five to ten facts.

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

Check out Save the Animals or Roaring Keynote at the EY website.

 

 

 

#45: Khan Academy Reading Course

Reading Enrichment

Inside Khan’s Grade 2-10 reading & vocabulary courses, you’ll find: several units, each with a mix of practice exercises, fun and insightful video instruction, and vocabulary articles.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #45: Khan Academy Reading Course.

2. The courses are set up in units and each unit has several lessons.

3. Choose the grade level that fits you. If you need help deciding, ask your teacher to help.

 

4. On your recording sheet, add the grade level you choose.

5. If you want, you can take the course challenge before you start (pre-test). When doing the course challenge, if you don’t know an answer, just click skip and move on.

6. To earn this mini spark complete at least 3 lessons. Add your lesson scores to your recording page.

7. Would you recommend this learning resource to other students? why or why not. Please record your opinion on your recording sheet.

OPTIONAL: Khan Academy also has a grammar section for you to explore.

8. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 

#74 Fibonacci Fun

Learning Opportunities, Math Mini Sparks

The Fibonacci Sequence

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144

What do these numbers have in common? What pattern do you see? These numbers are a part of what is known as the fibonacci numbers. Fibonacci numbers are found by adding the two previous numbers. So the number after 144 would be 233. The Fibonacci Sequence is a simple sequence of numbers that anyone can learn!

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #74 Fibonacci Fun
  2. “Too much of the mathematics we learn in school is not effectively motivated.” ~Mathemagician Arthur Benjamin. Watch his TED Video about the Magic of Fibonacci Numbers. Take notes on your recording page.

3. Watch this Numberphile video about Random Fibonacci Numbers.  Take notes on your recording page.

4. Then, try the activity he explains in the video using a coin. Record your project.  My sons Toby and Trevor and I recorded ourselves doing the activity here:

 

5. Read about the Fibonacci Sequence at Math is Fun. Recording 3 details on your recording page.

6. Create a interesting way to show what you have learned from this math mini spark. Add it to your recording page.

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

#33: I Have a Dream

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges

“I Have a Dream” is a public speech that was delivered by American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in which he called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States.

To celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , this post is challenging you to dream as well.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page:#33: I Have a Dream

2.  There are three art choices for this mini spark. Make an I have a dream image, mobile, or vision board. Read about each one below. On your recording page write a short summary for each.

3. Decide which one you will do and gather your supplies.

_________________________________________

Cloud Template link

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

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

#33: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Social Studies Enrichment

 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Celebrated on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King Day is a national holiday that honors the United States’ most famous civil-rights activist.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #33: Martin Luther King, Jr.

2. Watch the following video.

  1. Start the video.
  2. When you hear a date or a number mentioned, pause the video.
  3. Write down the date or number.
  4. Include a brief explanation of what it means.
  5. Resume the video when you are ready.

 

3.  Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Read this information page and record 5 details on your recording sheet.

4.  Watch this short video. What small act of kindness or act of service can you do to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.?

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

#44: I Have a Dream

Reading Enrichment

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist in the 1950s and 1960s. He led non-violent protests to fight for the rights of all people including African Americans. He hoped that America and the world could become a colorblind society where race would not impact a person’s civil rights. He is considered one of the great orators of modern times, and his speeches still inspire many to this day.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #44: I Have a Dream

2. Add this information to your recording page

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • Occupation: Civil Rights Leader
  • Born: January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, GA
  • Died: April 4, 1968 in Memphis, TN
  • Best known for: Advancing the Civil Rights Movement and his “I Have a Dream” speech

3. Read about Martin Luther King, Jr. at National Geographic Kids. Add a short summary for each section to your recording sheet.

4. Read this article and add 5 details to your recording sheet.

5.  Read these Interesting Facts about Martin Luther King, Jr. On your recording sheet add 3 more facts that you found in your research.

  • Dr. King was the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a national holiday.
  • At the Atlanta premier of the movie Gone with the Wind, Martin sang with his church choir.
  • There are over 730 streets in the United States named after Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • One of his main influences was Mohandas Gandhi, who taught people to protest in a non-violent manner.
  • He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  • The name on his original birth certificate is Michael King. This was a mistake, however. He was supposed to be named after his father who was named for Martin Luther, the leader of the Christian reformation movement.
  • He is often referred to by his initials MLK.

6. Take a quiz to see how much you learned about this great man! Record your score on your recording page.

7. OPTIONAL Read or listen to Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. After reading/listening to the speech, record your thoughts on your recording page.

8. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.