Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#26: STEAM Challenge: Straws

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges, Other Events & Contests

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.

#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: Growth Mindset Part 1

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?  Does it depend on the situation?  Do you believe you are born with innate talents and gifts?  Find the answers to these questions and more by checking out the resources below.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #30: Growth Mindset Part 1

2. Watch this video from John Spencer. On your recording sheet record 3-4 details that were new to you, interesting, or sounded important.

3. Watch the 3D animated short short Soar. Write a detailed description of the tiny flying machine, focus on component parts.

4. Respond to 2 of these prompts on your recording sheet after watching the video, Soar.

  • A theme is the message or lesson that the author wants you to learn from the story. The theme is often inferred. What themes are present in this animation?
  • What did the characters learn?
  • Did all the characters learn the same thing?
  • How did the characters grow throughout the animation?
  • How does this animation fit with what we know about growth vs. fixed mindset?
  • What message can we take from this animation and how might it apply to our lives?

5. Read this article, “A Quick Note About Getting Better at Difficult Things”. Record the answers to questions 1-4 on your recording sheet, question 5 is optional.

6. Read the poem, “I PRACTICED” by JonArno Lawson.  Choose 1 of these prompts and respond with 5 sentences.

  •  Think of an activity or skill that you have practiced a lot. Why do you practice it? Do you think becoming perfect at a skill should be the goal of practice? Why or why not?
  •  Do you think practicing a lot makes you successful? Why doesn’t the speaker succeed at the skill even though they practice all the time?
  • In the poem, the speaker describes practicing a new skill, but not doing it. How do you think fear could stop someone from trying a new skill or activity?

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

Check out the Growth or Fixed Mindset Badge at the EY Website