Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#70: The Underground Railroad

Social Studies Enrichment

How far would you go to help someone gain their freedom? During the 1800s, brave people risked their safety to help enslaved people escape to freedom through a network known as the Underground Railroad. Historians recently discovered evidence of a hidden room in a New York City home that may have been used to shelter freedom seekers. Learn about this remarkable chapter of American history in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #70: The Underground Railroad

2. Watch this video and record 5 important facts about the Underground Railroad.

3. Watch the video about the hidden room discovered in a New York City house connected to the Underground Railroad. As you watch, record:

  • 3 details about the hidden room.
  • 2 risks faced by people helping freedom seekers.
  • 1 question you still have after watching.

4. Set your timer for 5 minutes. Read a post at National Geographic for Kids. Study the map on the page as well. Explain what the different colors on the map represent.

5. Do you think ordinary people can make a difference during difficult times in history? Use examples from the videos and National Geographic Kids to support your answer.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Check out Social Studies Mini Spark #44 to learn more!

 

#69: Chief Oshkosh and the Menominee Forest

Social Studies Enrichment, Uncategorized

Can people use natural resources without destroying them? More than 150 years ago, Chief Oshkosh and the Menominee people believed they could. While many forests across the United States were being cut down, the Menominee developed a way to use their forest while protecting it for future generations. Today, their forest is considered one of the best examples of sustainable forestry in the world.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #69: Chief Oshkosh and the Menominee Forest

2. Before you begin, think about this question: If you were in charge of a forest that your family and community depended on, what rules would you create to make sure the forest would still be healthy 100 years from now?

Record at least 3 rules and explain why each rule is important.

3. Watch the video: Chief Oshkosh and a History of Menominee Forest Conservation.

As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about Chief Oshkosh.
  • 3 facts about the Menominee people.
  • 2 ways the Menominee cared for their forest.
  • 1 fact that surprised you.

4. Go to this site and scroll down to find a book about Chief Oshkosh. It is purple and there is a button on it that says, “OPEN THE BOOK”. Set your timer and read for 5 minutes. The Menominee believed they were stewards of the forest and should only take what nature could replace. Why do you think protecting forests was especially important to the Menominee people?

5. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

#68: The Lost Colony of Roanoke

Social Studies Enrichment

What if an entire town disappeared without leaving a trace? More than 400 years ago, over 100 English settlers arrived on Roanoke Island hoping to build a new life in North America. When help finally arrived three years later, the colony was empty—and the mystery has never been fully solved. Discover one of America’s greatest historical mysteries in this Social Studies Mini Spark!

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #68: The Lost Colony of Roanoke

2. Watch this video about the lost colony.  Why do historians think Croatoan Island may be connected to the disappearance of the colonists?

3. Sketch simple map on your recording page.

Add these labels

  • Roanoke Island
  • Croatoan (Hatteras) Island
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • Jamestown

4. Watch the PBS video, Discovering New Clues About the Fate of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island. As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about the Lost Colony.
  • 2 clues archaeologists have discovered.
  • 1 theory about what may have happened to the colonists.

5.  Read this article. Many historians believe the colonists may have joined nearby Native American communities, while others suggest different explanations. Recent archaeological discoveries have provided new clues, but no final answer has been proven.

Answer in 3-4 complete sentences:

Do you think the Lost Colony mystery will ever be completely solved? Why or why not? Support your answer with evidence from the article and videos.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

 

 

 

#67: Discover the Stock Market!

Social Studies Enrichment, Uncategorized

Imagine you want to open a giant lemonade stand business, but you need $100 to buy lemons, sugar, and cups. You only have $10. What do you do?

You could ask 90 of your friends to give you $1 each. In return, you give each friend a tiny piece of your business. If your lemonade stand makes a big profit, your friends get a share of that money. If it fails, they lose their dollar.

That is exactly how the stock market works, just on a much bigger scale!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page #67: Discover the Stock Market!

2. Read the information and answer the question, “What is a stock”, on your recording page. Use 2 sentences.

What is a Stock?

A stock (also called a share) is a piece of ownership in a company. When you buy a stock, you become a shareholder. If you buy a share of a famous company like Apple, Disney, or Nike, you actually own a tiny, microscopic piece of that company.

Companies sell stock because they need money to grow. They use the cash from investors to build new factories, invent new products, or hire more workers.

3.  Read the information and answer the question, “How did the stock market start”, on your recording page. Use 3 sentences.

 How Did the Stock Market Start?

The stock market wasn’t invented overnight. It started hundreds of years ago because of sea voyages.

The First Stock: Sea Monsters and Spices

In the 1600s, Dutch explorers wanted to sail across the ocean to bring back valuable spices like cinnamon and pepper from Asia. These trips were incredibly expensive and risky. Ships could sink, get lost, or be attacked by pirates.

No single person wanted to risk all their money on one ship. So, in 1602, the Dutch East India Company decided to try something new. They asked regular citizens to fund the trips. In exchange, citizens got a paper certificate showing they owned a “share” of the voyage’s profits. This was the world’s very first official stock market.

Under the Buttonwood Tree

In America, the stock market started out on the streets of New York City. In 1792, a group

of 24 businessmen met outside on Wall Street under a large buttonwood tree. They signed an agreement to trade stocks with each other. This outdoor meeting spot e

ventually grew into the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which is now the biggest stock market in the world.

 

 

 

4. Read the information and answer the question, “How does the stock market work today:, on your recording page. Use 2 sentences.

How Does the Stock Market Work Today?

Today, people don’t meet under trees to trade stocks. It is almost entirely done on computers. The stock market acts like a giant, digital supermarket where buyers and sellers trade shares.

The prices of stocks go up and down every second based on a rule called supply and demand:

  • High Demand: If a company invents an awesome new video game console, a lot of people will want to buy that company’s stock. Because the stock is popular, the price goes up.

  • Low Demand: If a company makes a bad product or loses money, people will want to sell their stock. Because everyone is selling and nobody is buying, the price goes down.

People invest in the stock market hoping to buy a stock at a low price and sell it later at a higher price, making a profit.

5. There is always a risk involved! The stock market involves risk. There are NO guarantees. If a company goes out of business, the value of its stock can drop to zero and investors can lose ALL of the money they put in. Summarize this information using 5 words.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or EY coordinator.

Want to try it out for yourself? Learn more about the stock market by completing the Stock Market Badge at the EY website.

#66: Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride

Social Studies Enrichment,

What would you do if you had to deliver an important message that could change history? In 1775, a silversmith named Paul Revere rode through the night to warn American colonists that British soldiers were coming. Learn about his famous ride and why it became an important part of American history in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #66: Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride

2. Before you begin, imagine there are no phones, text messages, or computers. How would you quickly warn people about an emergency? Record at least 3 ways you might spread important news in the 1700s.

3. Watch the video about Paul Revere.

As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about Paul Revere.
  • 3 details about his famous midnight ride.
  • 1 question you still have after watching the video.

4. Read the Britannica Kids article about Paul Revere. Create a web diagram with Paul Revere in the center. Add at least 6 facts you learned about his life, career, and contributions to the American Revolution.

5. Choose A or B

A. Imagine you are Paul Revere on the night of April 18, 1775. Write a diary entry describing:

  • What you see and hear during your ride.
  • How you feel as you travel through the countryside.
  • Why your mission is important.
  • What you hope will happen when people receive your warning.

Include at least 5-8 sentences with details that make the reader feel like they are there with you.

B. Many people know Paul Revere’s name, but other riders also helped spread the warning. Answer this question in 3–5 complete sentences:

Why do you think some people become famous in history while others who helped are less remembered? Use evidence from the video and article to support your thinking.

6. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

#65: The New Deal

Social Studies Enrichment

What should a government do when millions of people lose their jobs and struggle to afford food and housing? During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced a series of programs called the New Deal to help Americans recover. Learn how these programs changed lives and decide whether you think they were successful in this Social Studies Mini Spark.

Spark Your Thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #65: The New Deal

2. During the Great Depression, many Americans lost their jobs, homes, and savings. President Roosevelt’s New Deal created programs to provide jobs, support families, and help the economy recover. Before you begin, predict: What kinds of programs would you create to help people during a national crisis? Record 2+ ideas on your recording page.

3. Watch the video about the New Deal.

As you watch, record:

  • 5 important facts about the New Deal.
  • 3 programs or projects created during the New Deal.
  • 1 fact that surprised you.

4. Read the Khan Academy lesson about the New Deal and then choose A or B or C to complete.

A: Thinking Like a Historian. On your recording page, create a T-chart labeled:

Benefits of the New Deal Criticisms of the New Deal

Record at least 3 ideas in each column.

B: Creative Writing Challenge
Imagine you are a newspaper reporter living in 1935.

Write a short newspaper article (one paragraph) describing a New Deal program that has just arrived in your town. Include:

  • A headline
  • What the program does
  • Who it helps
  • How people in your town are reacting to it

Part C: Critical Thinking
Answer this question in 3–5 complete sentences:

Do you think the New Deal was a good way to help Americans during the Great Depression? Why or why not? Use evidence from both the video and the reading to support your answer.

5. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Check out these Social Studies mini sparks about other events during the Great Depression

#66: Pentahexaflexagon Folding Calendar

Math Mini Sparks

PENTAHEXAFLEXAGON. Say it 3 times fast! In this mini spark learn about math while doing this “fun” make-it-yourself calendar project. The calendars do require cutting and gluing so they are not truly origami; rather they would be under the category of paper fun.

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your Math Mini Spark recording page: #66: Pentahexaflexagon folding calendar
  2. Learn about different types of -flexagons. Record 3 ideas from the teaching page. How do these puzzles connect to mathematics?
  3. Watch this video before printing out the project.  On a scale of 1-5 how hard do you think it will be to create this project? 

4. Open the calendar template and read the instructions on the top. Gather your supplies. 

5. Print the template. If you would like the template in color, as your teacher for help. Rewatch this video as you build.**Note-If you would prefer written instructions with steps, this webpage has them created for you.

6. Share your Math Mini Spark Mini Spark recording page and your finished project. with your teacher or EY Coordinator.

OPTIONAL: If you would like to try folding this project without the calendar dates you can use this template.

Note Lesson adapted from https://make-origami.com/flexagon-calendar/

If this mini spark has not been updated with the current year’s calendar, ask your EY teacher to modify it.

 

Check out math mini spark #39 for more folding fun

#114: Scientific Calculator Lessons

Math Mini Sparks

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your Math Mini Spark recording page: #114: Scientific Calculator Lessons
  2. Watch this video. Record 3 new learnings, 2 things you will try, and 1 question you still have. 

  1. Open this teaching page and study it for 5 minutes. Record 5 keys and what they do on your recording page. 
  2. Pretend you are a scientific calculator. Write about one of your keys and how it will help you when doing math. 
  3. Share your Math Mini Spark Mini Spark recording page with your teacher or EY Coordinator.

2025-26 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest-Event Closed

Events & Contests, Learning Opportunities, Other Events & Contests, Reading Enrichment

Website: https://omahalibrary.org/virginia-frank-memorial-writing-contest/

Create your own original fiction featuring a character from a book you read on your own.

Deadline: The deadline for 2026 entries is February 20, 2026. 

Check out the website for more details and read the winning entries from last year’s contest.

 

The Friends of Omaha Public Library are currently accepting submissions for the Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest.  The contest is for students in 5-8th grade.  First prize in each grade is $100.

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing contest is held each year in the spring to recognize the creative writing talent of area students. This contest, sponsored by the Friends of Omaha Public Library, recognizes the top three winners from each grade. Each winner receives a cash prize and certificate, is recognized in a ceremony at the library, and has their story published on the library website. The school libraries of each winning student are also recognized with a matching cash prize.

Eligibility Requirements

    • Stories must be submitted with an entry form to be considered. Complete all fields either online or on a printed entry form and submit with your story.
    • Students must be in 5th to 8th grade and live in Douglas or Sarpy counties.
    • Students may be enrolled in public, private, parochial or home school.
    • Stories must be typed and no longer than 750 words.
    • Entries must be original fiction featuring a character from a book you have enjoyed and read on your own. Identify the book and author from which your character originated in the title or subtitle of your story.
    • Only one entry per contestant will be accepted.
    • The decision of the judges is final.
    • All entries become the property of Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) and may be featured by Omaha Public Library on its website or social media.
    • Deadline for entries is February 28, 2020.

    Prizes

    • First ($100), second ($75) and third place ($50)
    • Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners from each grade.
    • The school library of the winning students will be recognized with matching cash prizes.

 

About Virginia Frank

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest began in 2003 and is named in honor of a longtime Friends of Omaha Public Library volunteer. Virginia Frank was a Central High and UNO graduate. She acquired a master’s degree from Brown University and taught English literature and creative writing at UNO for many years. Her passion for students and young people inspired everyone around her, and her enthusiasm encouraged many students to explore their creative writing talents. Frank volunteered thousands of hours with the Friends of OPL to help ensuring a bright future for our public libraries.

#113: Crayon Math

Math Mini Sparks

 

In this math mini spark you will learn a little about the history of crayon colors, answer some crayon math story problems, and learn more about how crayons are made.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #113: Crayon Math

2. Go to this website and study the graph showing how the the colors of crayons have changed over time. Record 5 observations.

3. Read this paragraph from Bedtime math.  Record the data on your recording page.

We just love this map of Crayola crayon colors over the years. In 1903, there were just 8 crayon colors, but by 1935 it had doubled to 16 colors. The chart creator, Stephen von Worley, uses years with an exact multiple of the original 8 colors, so the stripes line up nicely. 1949 has 48 colors, 6 times as many 8, while 2010 shows about 15 times 8, or 120 colors. Today, Crayola® Crayons are made in 148 unique colors, but don’t stop counting there! Some colors are offered in special effects, further expanding our color selection with specialty crayons like glitter, pearl, confetti, metallic, bold & bright, and more!

4. Answer these questions in your notebook.

a. If a machine makes blue-violet crayons the 1st day, lime green the next day, mac ‘n cheese the next, and then blue-violet again to repeat the pattern, what color does it make on the 20th day?

b. When does it make the 7th batch of blue-violet?

c. The Crayola factory in Easton, PA has a sign on the counter that says how many crayons the factory has made. If the sign said 146,037,500,000 crayons,  what is that number in scientific notation? Ask for help with this if needed.

Scroll to the end of this post to check your work.

5. Watch this video about crayons.  Choose 2 questions to answer on your recording page. Use two sentences for each answer.

  1. Describe the process of how the wax mixture is transformed into crayons.
  2. Mention some of the unique crayon colors that were listed in the video.
  3. How does the video describe the distribution of Crayola crayons to the public?

6. Share your mini spark with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Lesson adapted from Bedtime Math

Check out the Crayon Project  at the EY website.

 

 

 

 

 

a. Lime green, since it’s the 2nd crayon in the new set of 3 starting on 19.

b. On the 19th day, since it will have just finished 6 full batches of the 3 colors.

c. 146,037,500,000 crayons in scientific notation is  1.460375 X 10 ^11