Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#30: Make Slime

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities, Mini Challenges

 Slime is a fun way to study science. Check out this mini spark to learn about the science behind slime. Then check out the Slime Science badge to make your own slime.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #30: Make Slime

2. Watch this video about making slime.  Take notes on your recording sheet while you watch.

3. Using the information from the video, create a quiz for other kids to play. You can use kahoot or google slides. Include at least 10 questions and include the answers as well.

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

Make slime using the Slime Science Badge at the EY Website.

#29: Bitsbox-Code an App

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges

In this STEAM mini spark you will learn how to sign in to Bitsbox and how to code your own apps. You will learn about the text and stamp commands, as well as how to work with coordinates.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page:#29: Bitsbox-Code an App

2. Watch this intro video.  On your recording page, record 5 new things you learned about coding.

3. Bitsbox is an online resource. Click this link to get to bitsbox.

4.  Click the sign in with google button to get to your tablet.

5. Go back to the video from step 2 and code “snacks, please”.  You do not need to sign up with your email like he does in the video since you are already logged in with google.

6. After you finish the app, you can modify it with your own stamp, text, and colors.

7. Take a picture of your code and add it to your recording sheet

8. Click this link to get to a few free coding projects provided by Bitsbox. If you would like, you can print them out.

9. Code 3 of the projects. Take a screenshot of your code and add it to your recording page.

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

#28: Rocket Launcher

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities, Mini Challenges

National STEAM day is celebrated on November 8, but you can create STEAM all year long! Check out this rocket launcher experiment that you can do to celebrate the national day dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #28: Rocket Launcher

2. Watch this video. Write down the materials you will need on your recording page

3. Collect the materials you need. Contact the EY coordinator in your building via email if you need help with this step. Add a picture of of your supplies to your recording page.

4. Go back to step 2 and rewatch this video while you are working.

4. Take pictures from your experiment and add them to your recording page.

5. Take a video of your rocket launcher.

6. On your recording page, create a one paragraph summary about your project.

7. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and your video with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the DIY superstar badge on the EY website

Post adapted from https://projectmc2.mgae.com/#/experiments

#37: Create Your Own National Day

Reading Enrichment

Everyday can be a celebration. Did you know that November 3rd is national sandwich day, December 7th is national letter writing day and January  7th is national bobblehead day?

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #37: Create Your Own National Day

2. Look over this teaching page. On your recording sheet, write about each of the highlighted days, the history, and how it is celebrated.

3. What day do feel deserves to add to the list of national celebrations? Pickle day?  It’s observed on November 15. How about National fuzzy sock day? Wear your cozy socks and keep your feet toasty warm all day long. People celebrate this day on December 21st!  Look over this national day list and find 5 more funny days that are national days.

 

4. What would be a day that you would LOVE to celebrate? Start brainstorming to think of a special day that you would like added to the calendar that is not already observed. Make a list of 5-10 days.

5. Choose your very favorite day from the list you created. Create a colorful information page about your day. Include this information:

The name of your day

3-5 facts about your topic

How can people celebrate this day?

Add color and illustrations to your project.

6. Read about the process of how to formally submit your national day idea to be selected as a “National Day of Celebration”. What information is most important to know about the process.

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

#38: Celebration Days

Early Enrichment, Uncategorized

Everyday can be a celebration. Did you know that November 3rd is national sandwich day, December 7th is national letter writing day and January 7th is national bobblehead day?

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #38: Celebration Days
  2. Look over this teaching page. On your recording sheet, write about each of the highlighted days,  its history, and how it is celebrated.
  3. What day do you feel deserves to add to the list of national celebrations? Pickle day? It’s observed on November 15. How about National fuzzy sock day? It’s a day people celebrate on December 21st! What would be a day that you would LOVE to celebrate? Start brainstorming. Create a list of 10 days that you would enjoy having as special days on the calendar.
  4. Choose your very favorite day from the list you created. Create a colorful information page about your day. Include this information:

The name of your day

3-5 facts about your topic

How can people celebrate this day?

Do research to find out if your day is already celebrated. If so, add that date to your project.

  1. Read about the process of how to formally submit your national day idea for review. 
  2. Share your project with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

#23: Geography Lesson: Oceans

Social Studies Enrichment

It is always a good time to learn more about Geography. Study this geography lesson which is all about Oceans.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies spark recording page: #23: Geography Lesson: Oceans

2.  Watch this video all of the way through.   Record the mnemonic on your recording page.

3. Read the article Ocean Habitat  at National Geographic kids.  Record 2-3 pieces of information from each of the sections.  In step 4 you will be making a quiz so look for good info to include in a quiz.

  • Earth Underwater
  • Climate Control
  • Ocean or Sea?
  • Ocean Life

  • Watery Habitats

4. Use the information from this article to write a 10 question quiz on your recording page. Include multiple choice, true and false, and open ended responses. Make a key to go with your quiz.

5. Take this ocean and sea quiz one time. Record your score.

6.  Take the same ocean and sea quiz a second time. Record your score.

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

#36: 6 Ways to Start a Sentence

Reading Enrichment

Know what you want to write but aren’t sure where to start? These sentence prompts will help. Remember these 6 openings and you can write anything you want

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #36: 6 Ways to Start a Sentence 

2. Watch this video and take notes on your recording page for each of the ideas.

3.  This is an article on this same topic. Read the article, 5 tips, and the example paragraphs. Write down 5 new ideas.

4. On your recording page write a 6 sentence paragraph about a topic of your choice.  Use a different strategy for each sentence. Underline each beginning with a different color.

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

#65: Smartphone Materials

Math Mini Sparks

How are smartphones built? What materials are used? Complete this math mini spark and learn more.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #65: Smartphone Materials

2. Print a copy of this worksheet.

3. Fill in the worksheet as you watch the video. Add a picture of your worksheet to your recording sheet, or include it when you turn in your mini spark.

4. Read some of the statistics about smartphones on this site.  Record a question about a statistic that you found interesting.

5. Review this metals in a smartphone infographic. Write 3 compliments and one suggestion that you have that would make it better.

6. Read about the rare earth elements at this page.  Create  a visual to display 8+ pieces of information about rare earth elements. Add this visual to your recording page.

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

#64: Divide by Zero?

Math Mini Sparks

So for now is sounds like we can’t divide by zero, but maybe there might be a rule that mathematicians could be tweaked to make it possible?  Check out this math mini spark and see what you think about this idea.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #64: Why can’t you divide by zero
  2. Watch this video that explains why you can’t divide by zero. Write down 5 ideas from the video.

3. Record 5 vocabulary terms with definitions from the video.

4. Read this info page from Math is Fun. Record 5 details from this page.

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

#63: Can you KenKen®?

Learning Opportunities, Math Mini Sparks

The goal of KenKen® is to fill the whole grid with numbers, making sure no number is repeated in any row or column. If it’s a 3×3 puzzle, you only use the numbers 1-3.  If it’s a 4×4 puzzle, you only use the numbers 1-4. The “cages” are outlined in dark black.  The top left corner of each cage has a “target number” and a math operation (+ – x /).  The numbers you put in the cage have to make the target number. Sometimes a cage is one square in which case, it’s a freebie.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #63: Can you KenKen®?
  2.  Watch this tutorial to get started.

3. Record important reminders from this tutorial on your recording sheet.

4. Print out the puzzles and try to KenKen®!

Click here for a 4×4 Puzzle

Click here for a 6×6 Puzzle

5. This website has many more puzzles to try. Find 2 more to do.

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

Check out the KenKen® badge at the EY badge page.