Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#41: Future Spacecraft

Math Mini Sparks

Will future spacecraft fit in our pockets?  Learn about  this small technology and how scientists are exploring our world.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #41: Future Spacecraft
  2. Watch this video, write about some of the calculation scientist must make for these tiny spacecraft to be created. 

3. Think about the following:  NASA provides opportunities for students, researchers and industry to launch their small satellite payloads on NASA’s own launches.  What type of small satellite would you build and what type of data or experiment would you carry out if you could send a small satellite to space?

4. Read about Specific Impulse on this site.  It’s some higher level math, but try to read through it and pick out at least one new thing you can write about on your recording page.

5. Read about SmallSats and CubeSats at NASA. Record some details on your recording sheet.

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

Wait…is this a Math Spark or a Science Spark?  Math and science are so intertwined that it’s hard to tell sometimes whether you’re doing one or the other.  Many times it’s both!

Social Studies Mini-Spark #20-Geography Wonders

Social Studies Enrichment

    Calling all Geographers!

 

Stretch your geography skills by studying several of these Wonderopolis Wonders :

Where is the Forbidden City?- #644

Where is the Windy City?- #897

Where is the Quietest Town in American?-#1557

Which City Has the Longest Name?-#1123

Where is the Oldest City in America?-#692

Where are the Suburbs?-#1547

Have You Ever Been to the Big Apple?-#718

Where is Timbuku?- #1064

Where is the Big Easy?-#1143

How are Cities Founded?-#1229

For each wonder that you study, come up with a creative way to show what you learned. If you would like, create some geography bee style questions. Share your questions and answers in the comments.

#26: STEAM Challenge: Straws

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges

Dive in to this building challenge? Grab some straws and tape and get started! With just these two materials, you can create amazing structures.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #47: STEAM Challenge: Straws

2. Look over the STEAM challenge.

3. Make a sketch of what your structure will look like and any ideas that you have. Add a picture of your sketch to your recording page.

4. Gather the materials you will need. Ask an adult to help you if necessary.

5.  Take a picture of your supplies before you start. Add the picture to your recording sheet.

6. Take a picture of you final project at add it to your recording sheet. Record the height of your project.

7. Explain your project, what you did well on this challenge and where you can improve.

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

#40: Universal Calendar Puzzle

Math Mini Sparks

This is a date calculation puzzle to try! Other date puzzles can be found at Math Mini Spark #30 and #90.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #40: Universal Calendar Puzzle
  2.  Take notes as you watch the tutorial. It is also helpful to pause the video while you are watching to do the calculations. NOTE Pause the video and calculate the date 10.19.1902.  Unpause the video to see if you were correct.

3. Please complete two date calculations of your choice from start to finish and put the date, your math and your solution on your recording page.

4. This info sheet is very helpful.  You can print it to help you do step number 3.

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

#39: Hexaflexagon DIY

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

Learn how to make a really fun geometric toy—a Hexaflexagon! There are many types of flexagons. The names of flexagons tell the type of polygon and the number of faces.  Hexaflexagons are paper polygons you will create in this math mini spark. They were first discovered in 1939 by Arthur Stone, who set up a Flexagon Committee to investigate their properties.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #39: Hexaflexagon DIY
  2. Add information to your recording page about these shapes from the intro above.
  3. Watch this Vi Hart video. Add  5 math terms from the video to your note taking page.

4. Look over these PDFs that will help you make your own.  Print off the instruction page and the the template. READ IT VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU START.

5. OPTIONAL: If you would  like to try larger puzzle here is a page with instructions and other templates.

6. Snap a picture of your finished project and add it to your recording page.

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

Info from: http://www.auntannie.com/Geometric/HexaHexaFlexagon/

#33: Word Squares

Reading Enrichment

Word squares are grids of letters that cross horizontally and vertically. In the puzzle below, the word TRAP is located in the top row and left-most column; ROME can be seen in the second row from the top and the second column from the left; AMEN is found in the third row from the top and the third column from the left; and PENT occurs in the bottom row and in the right-most column. All the words cross each other in a perfect square arrangement. (taken from Psychology Today)

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page:#33:Word Squares

2. Take a look at this one.  DEN is spelled vertically and horizontally in the first column and row respectively.  EYE is spelled vertically and horizontally in the 2nd column/row, and NET is spelled vertically and horizontally in the 3rd column/row

 

3. Try These 3 Word Squares. Record your answers on your recording page.

4. Create the Word Squares from these given clues!  Use this sheet to record your answers.

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

24: Skyscraper Puzzles

Full STEAM Ahead, Uncategorized

For this mini spark you will create mini skyscrapers and complete the puzzles following the rules outlined.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM  mini spark recording page: #24: Skyscraper Puzzles 

2. Print out this set of starter puzzles and you will need a set of linking cubes or legos that you can use to build towers.

3. Read these instructions 3 times.

How to Solve a Skyscraper Puzzle:

● Build towers in each of the squares provided sized 1 through 4 tall
● Each row has skyscrapers of different heights (1 through 4), no
duplicate sizes
● Each column has skyscrapers of different heights (1 through 4), no
duplicate sizes
● The rules on the outside (in grey) tell you how many skyscrapers you
can see from that direction or how many skyscrapers you could see while looking down that city block from that spot.
● Taller skyscrapers block your view of shorter ones

4. Watch this teaching video for ideas on how to get started.

5.  Create 16 towers.

6. Solve the 4 X 4 puzzles in your booklet.

7.  When you are done with each puzzle you need to check it.  You can ask a teacher or a friend to do this for you.

1st-Look at each row and column and make sure there are only 1 of each size skyscrapers. 2nd-Look at the numbers in the gray boxes and make sure you can only see the number of skyscrapers when looking “down the street” from each gray box.

8. Make changes if needed and snap a picture of your final project.

9. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and your completed puzzle pictures with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 

Check out the Skyscraper Puzzle Badge on the EY Website.

#32: Library Designs

Learning Opportunities, Reading Enrichment

“In a good bookroom you feel in some mysterious way that you are absorbing the wisdom contained in all the books through your skin, without even opening them.”
― Mark Twain

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #32: Library Designs

2. In early November, 2017, China opened a futuristic library.  Check out this article. What are your opinions about this library? Record 3-5 sentences on your recording sheet.

3. Explore other libraries using this page or do your own research. Write 3-5 sentences about 3 of these beautiful places on your recording sheet.

4. Create design ideas for your own classroom, school, or city library.  What kind of books would you have in your library?  Furniture? Colors? Would there be other things at your library? food? animals? Would your library have only books to check out? Record 10-15 ideas on your recording page.

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

#31: Mo Willems

Reading Enrichment

Mo Willems is a well-known author and illustrator celebrated for his entertaining and captivating children’s literature. He is recognized for creating beloved characters such as the Pigeon, Elephant and Piggie, and Knuffle Bunny. His narratives frequently incorporate humor, relatable experiences, and interactive features, making them favorites among both children and adults.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #24: Mo Willems

 2. Watch this read aloud of the book Waiting Is Not Easy.  Think about 3 times during your day when you have to wait for something.  What advice do you have for other kids when they are frustrated about having to wait.  Write your suggestions on your recording sheet.

 

3.  Watch this read aloud of the book Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay up Late.  Pigeon was very creative when thinking about ways to avoid going to bed. What would be other ideas for how Pigeon could avoid going to bed? Write 3-5 ideas on your recording sheet.

4. In this interview Mo Willems talks about how his journey began and what projects have inspired him. What metaphor does Mr. Willems use to describe how ideas grow, and what does it signify about creativity?

6.  Mo Willems makes masterful use of speech bubbles and thought bubbles in his books. Speech bubbles can be an effective tool for writing prompts, reading responses and inference. Read this teaching page about speech bubbles. Record 3 important ideas writers should remember about how to use them properly. 

7. Open this template. Look over the images on the three pages. Choose one of the pages to use for your own story. On your recording sheet brainstorm some ideas about a story line you can create to go along with the Elephant and Piggies actions on the page you have choosen.   

8. Create your own Elephant and Piggie dialogue on your recording page. Ask someone to read it over and make suggestions. 

9. Print the template you need for your story. Transfer your final story to the template. Optional: Color your page and outline your words with a thin black marker. 

10.  Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

Optional: Create a silly story with this Elephant and Piggie Mad Lib page

 

 

#38: Duplicator Lab Riddles

Math Mini Sparks, Mini Challenges, Uncategorized

This Math Mini Spark is brought to you by Steve Wyborney.  Steve is an award-winning teacher and instructional coach from Oregon.

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #38: Duplicator Lab Riddles
  2. Click here to watch the Duplicator Lab Riddle Video. It does not have sound.
  3. Answer 1, 2, and/or 3 riddles posed at the end of the video. Do all math on your recording page.
  4. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator. *reminder answers for are in the math mini spark folder.