Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#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.

L. Arts Mini-Spark #31: Growth Mindset Part 2

Learning Opportunities, Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

What did you learn today?  What mistake did you make that taught you something?  What did you try hard at today? ~Carol Dweck

Learn more about Growth and Fixed Mindset by completing the LearnStorm course on Khan Academy.  There are 6 activities total and each one has an accompanying worksheet (linked below).

You can either print the activity sheets yourself by clicking the links above, or you can ask your classroom teacher or the EY Coordinator at your building for copies.  When you are finished with all the activities, hand in your papers to your classroom teacher or EY Coordinator.  Make sure to fill out the Badge Request Form to earn your Mindset Badge.

brain image taken from: https://pixabay.com/photo-1295128/

# 19: Learn about Nebraska

Social Studies Enrichment

Nebraska is the 16th largest state by land area, covering just over 77,220 square miles. The state flower is the goldenrod and the state bird is the meadowlark.  This Social Studies Enrichment post has you digging into Nebraska information and history.

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: # 19: Learn about Nebraska

2. Visit these sites and find 10-15 pieces of information on your recording page about Nebraska. Try to look for details to record you did not already know.

https://www.50states.com/facts/nebraska.htm

https://www.factmonster.com/us/states/nebraska

3. Visit National Geographic Kids and read about Nebraska.  Record at least one idea from each of the sections on this website. Look for information that you did not already know as you are writing information.

  • HISTORY
  • WHY’S IT CALLED THAT?
  • GEOGRAPHY AND LANDFORM
  • WILDLIFE
  • NATURAL RESOURCES
  • FUN STUFF

4. Create an interview between you and the state of Nebraska. Remind your teacher that the answers can be found in the social studies mini spark page.

Sample script

Reporter– Hello, Nebraska Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. What does the name “Nebraska” mean, and which river is it associated with?

Nebraska-Of course, thank you for the opportunity. The name “Nebraska” comes from Native American words meaning “flat water,” referring to the Platte River

You can use these question prompts or choose your own.  Include at least 3 questions and answers.

  1. What evidence do archaeologists have that people have lived in Nebraska for at least 13,500 years?
  2. List three Native American tribes mentioned in the text that developed in Nebraska.
  3. What significant purchase did France make in 1803, and how did it affect Nebraska?
  4. Describe the route taken by some of the first settlers arriving in Nebraska. What challenges did they face?
  5. What does the name “Nebraska” mean, and which river is it associated with?
  6. Identify the two major regions of Nebraska mentioned in the text and describe one characteristic of each.
  7. How did the melting glaciers contribute to the geography of the Dissected Till Plains?
  8. What types of wildlife are mentioned as common in Nebraska, and which species is noted for being rare?
  9. How does the High Plains Aquifer contribute to Nebraska’s agriculture?
  10. What is Carhenge, and how does it compare to England’s Stonehenge?

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

 

#30: 10 Sentence Story Challenge-Mystery Object

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

Follow the steps given in this mini spark to practice your writing.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #30: 10 Sentence Story Challenge-Mystery Object

2. Watch this video. Write 3 notes on your recording about what will be easy about this challenge and what will be hard.

3.  If you want to print out this handout you can, or open it up to look at as you write.

4. Work on your story.  Check off each step from the handout as you write.

5. Go back to your story and underline each of your literary devices.

6.   Turn in your language arts mini spark to your teacher or EY coordinator.

#36: Animal Names in ASL

Early Enrichment, Uncategorized

Learn how to sign animal names in this early enrichment mini spark.

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your Early Enrichment ment recording page: #37: Animal Names in ASL
  2. Watch this video one time. On your recording page write down the 5 animal names that you want to learn. You can learn more than 5 if you would like.

  1. Watch the video several times and practice the signs you will learn. Put at star on your recording sheet when you have the sign memorized.
  2. Create a video of yourself doing the animals signs you learned.
  3. Share your early enrichment mini spark recording page and your video with your teacher or EY Coordinator.

Check out the sign language badges at the EY webpage. 

 

#37: What’s so special about that number?

Math Mini Sparks

Why is 2 important?  It’s the only even prime number! Spend some time learning about special numbers in this math mini spark.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #37: What’s so special about that number?

2. Explore this article and find out about 4 types of special numbers. Write the name of each type and some examples on your recording page.

3. Look over this example.

Answer these questions

  • How many of the numbers from 1 to 30 can you express as the difference of two perfect squares?
  • What is special about the difference between squares of consecutive numbers? Why?
  • What about the difference between the squares of two numbers which differ by 2? By 3? By 4…?
  • When is the difference between two square numbers odd?
    And when is it even?
  • What do you notice about the numbers you CANNOT express as the difference of two perfect squares?
  • Reminder for your teacher-The answers to these questions can be found in the math mini park folder.

4.  Set your time for 8 minutes and explore the Almanac of Interesting Numbers at Mathigon.  In what ways could teachers and students use this site? What ways is it useful? What suggestions do you have? Record your responses on your recording sheet.

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