Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#11: Code.org: Video series

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities

Since the “T” in STEAM stands for technology, it seemed only right to add a post about the code.org video series. Get started on this mini spark to join in on the coding fun and who knows, maybe even begin your career in the computer sciences!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #11:code.org: Video Series

2.  While you are anxiously waiting for Code.org to begin, why not dig into information on coding and all things computer?  Perhaps you find yourself wondering how the internet works?  Or maybe you’ve always dreamed of sitting down with Mark Zuckerberg to learn a few programming tips and tricks.  Now you can!

3. At Code.org there are 7 topic and each topic has 7-10 short videos.

4. Here is a link to videos that will get your brain wrapped around those intriguing topics and more!

5. After looking them over, choose one main topic to explore. On your recording sheet, write the that topic and title of the videos you will watch. Set up a section for each of the videos.

6. Record new ideas or something that you enjoyed from each of the videos. Also record any terms that were new to you.

7. Make a visal about the topic you choose and include 8-10 details.

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

Check out the Code Crusher Badge and the Code.org Video series badge at the EY Website. You can use this project for one of your projects at the code.org video series badge.

 

 

#3: Exploring the Ocean

Social Studies Enrichment

Alvin is a special underwater vehicle that lets scientists dive deep into the ocean to explore amazing things! It helps them check out weird creatures living in super tough places, see volcanic eruptions underwater, and discover all sorts of cool stuff in the deep blue sea. It’s like a submarine for scientists, and it goes on exciting adventures beneath the waves!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #3: Exploring the Ocean

2.  Read this book all about ALVIN and deep sea diving. Make a mini dictionary with interesting terms. Record the definition of each of the words you pick. Include at least 10 words in your dictionary.

3. Watch this video about Alvin. Choose 5 of the questions to answer. Remind your teacher that the answer key is in the Social Studies mini sparks folder.

  1. What year was the submersible Alvin first commissioned and what was its purpose?
     
  2. Who was the scientist that led the push to build the Alvin submersible?
     
  3. Describe one of the significant discoveries made by Alvin in the late 1970s.
     
  4. How did Alvin change our understanding of life on Earth and other ocean worlds?
     
  5. In what way did Alvin capture the world’s attention after the Titanic was found?
     
  6. What upgrades were made to Alvin that increased its dive depth capability?
     
  7. How has Alvin contributed to the field of deep sea research over the years?
     
  8. Discuss the importance of deep submergence technologies that have flourished due to Alvin.

4. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#12: Evaluating Writing

Reading Enrichment

Do you love to write?  Do you want to improve your writing? Learning to be a writer takes practice. This mini spark will give you a took to use to think about what makes a writing piece exceptional.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #12: Evaluating Writing

2. One thing you can do to help you become a better writer is to evaluate, or critique, another person’s writing. This website has a large collection of student writing pieces.  Scroll through the list to find the grade level that fits you and then choose the type of writing you want to use for this mini spark. Record these two items on your recording sheet.

3. Choose a piece of writing to read and evaluate. Read it one time. Add a 3 sentence summary of what you read to your recording sheet.

4. Print this rubric as a guide to help you critique the writing piece you chose. Read it over carefully. On your recording sheet write a sentence about what will be easy to do when evaluating writing and one about what might be harder.

5. On your recording sheet, respond with the following:

  • The title of the piece you chose to evaluate
  • The rating (1-4) for Linguistic Complexity and a brief explanation for the rating
  • The rating (1-4) for Vocabulary Usage and a brief explanation for the rating
  • The rating (1-4)  for Language Control and a brief explanation for the rating

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

Early Enrichment #9: Winter Wonderland

Early Enrichment

Winter is coming! Check out these 5 Fun Facts about winter. 

In Nebraska, we get to experience the wonderful world of snow each winter, but can you imagine what it is like for people who have never seen snow before?

Check out this Panda, who has never seen snow before!

If you had a pen pal somewhere who had never seen winter, how would you describe it to them? What would you tell them to give them a clear idea of what the season is like where you live? This week’s Early Enrichment activity is to describe and record winter. Look outside to get ideas or use these questions to help you.

Weather: What is the weather like in the Winter? Is it always like that? What is normal winter weather like?

People in Winter: What kinds of things do people do to help them get through winter?How is this different from what they do at other times of the year?

Animals in the Winter: What kinds of things do other animals do to get through winter?
What did you learn from your study of winter? Do you think you can describe winter better now.

Comment below what you would write about to your pen pal!

#11: Video Game Math Problems

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized
I have 120 minions (btw…minions can fly).  Each minion has 50 health.   The archer tower does a big damage on the minion.  The minion loses 38 health.  How much health does the minion have left?

My boys love their video games!  Minecraft, Clash of Clans, Where’s My Water…I can’t keep up with all of them.  One way I don’t go crazy with all the gaming is that I have them write math story problems that go along with the game.  Check out these problems my son Trevor wrote about Clash of Clans:                                                                                                                Image taken from https://www.flickr.com/photos/85217387@N04/8638068371ClashofClans

  1. An army camp can hold 50 spaces.  If a giant takes up 5 spaces, how many giants can fit in that army camp?
  2. I am attacking with 75 barbarians.  I place down 40 barbarians.  How many barbarians do I have left?
  3. I have 20 dark elixir.  If I attack and gain 90 dark elixir, how much dark elixir do I have now?
  4. One of my valkyries hit 2 dark elixir drills.  One drill had 100 dark elixir and the other had 59.  If I already had 1,350 dark elixir, how much do I have now?
  5. I have 10,000 gold and I spend 2,000 gold on walls.  If one wall costs 100 gold, how many walls can I get?
  6. I have 120 minions (btw…minions can fly).  Each minion has 50 health.   The archer tower does a big damage on the minion.  The minion loses 38 health.  How much health does the minion have left?
  7. I have 30,292 gold.  Overnight, somebody attacks me and gains 9,929 gold (that means I lose 9,929 gold).  How much gold do I have now?
  8. I have 1,347 trophies.  In the battle, I gain 25 more.  How many trophies do I have now?
  9. When a clan has 1,962 trophies.  Round this number to the nearest hundred.
  10. In my army camp, I can hold 200 spaces.  A giant level 4 takes up 6 spaces.  I have 2 wallbreakers that each take 2 spaces.  How much space do I have left in my army camp?
  11. A wallbreaker breaks 4 walls at a time.  If there are 6 wallbreakers, how many walls will be blown up?
  12. My clan castle can hold 30 spaces.  TiTi, a clan member, donates 5 lv 5 barbarians.  They take up 5 spaces in all in my clan castle.  How many spaces do I have now?

Spark your math thinking!

  1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #11: Video Game Math Problems
  2. On your recording page, write 12 creative math story problems to go along with a video game that you like to play.  Make an answer key for your problems as well.
  3.  On our recording page, write the step by step directions for three of your hardest problems.
  4. Answer 5 of the Clash of Clans story problems from above.  Write the number of the problem, show your math and include your answer.
  5. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#10: Celebrate Math!

Math Mini Sparks

Did you know various math topics have special days solely dedicated to it? Learn about some of these holidays in this math mini spark.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #10: Celebrate Math! 

2.  What is Pythagorean Theorem Day? To qualify as a Pythagorean Theorem Day, the digits that make up the date must qualify as a pythagorean triple. The next pythagorean triple date will be on July 24, 2025 since 72 + 242 = 252.  Do some research and find some other dates that were or will be Pythagorean Theorem Days. 

3. Mole Day is celebrated on October 23. Read about mole day and take notes about this day on your recording page.  Make sure to define a mole in your notes.

4. The Fibonacci sequence begins like this: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144….      November 23 is celebrated as Fibonacci Day because when the date is written in the mm/dd format (11/23), the digits in the date form a Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2, 3.         Watch this video about this special number pattern. Add notes to your recording page.

5. Pi Day is on March 14. Watch this short video about this day. Add some interesting details from the video to your recording page. Then, go to this site to find out how long until we celebrate pi day again (to the nearest second). Record this on your recording page.

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

 

 

#10: Benefits of Fire

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities, Uncategorized

Why would anyone want to start a forest fire on purpose? In this STEAM mini spark you will find out the answer to this question along with many more ideas about this topic.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #10: Benefits of Fire

2. Find the answers to these questions using the sources below.

  • How can you conduct a controlled burn/prescribed burn?
  • What types of scientists/professionals work in this field?
  • What components of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) are important to the controlled burn process?

Research Links: While reading/watching each resource, record information that is new to you, is interesting, or sounds important.  

National Geographic article, Controlled Burning.

Firefighter from Florida interview question 1, “How has a place like Florida been shaped by fire?”

Firefighter from Florida interview question 2 “What does it mean to do a prescribed fire or controlled burn?”

Fontenelle Forest Website page, Prescribed Fires

Smokey Bear Website page, Benefits of Fires

National Geographic article, The Ecological Benefits of Fire

3. Record your answers to the 3 questions on your recording sheet.

4. When you are finished researching and answering the 3 questions, display your learning somehow.  Push yourself to try a new app or a new way of showing your learning.  Here are some examples:

  • Write a letter Fontenelle Forest
  • If you could interview a restoration biologist, what questions would you ask?
  • Make an infographic with terms, images, and details about the topic.

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

Check out the Natural Disaster Reporter badge at the EY website.

#9: Science Experiments

Full STEAM Ahead

Kids can learn a lot about science by watching and doing fun experiments! When you try out experiments, you get to discover things about chemistry, biology, and physics in a hands-on way. While having fun, you also build important skills like solving problems, doing research, and making decision.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #9: Science Experiments

2.  Check out this rainbow test tubes science experiment. Before you start the video record the title on your recording page. Pause the video after Steve shows you the materials. Decide what will happen and record that on your recording sheet.

3. After watching the video one time through, go back and watch it again. Record all of these items on your recording sheet: title, materials, procedures and results.

2. Look over the other 5 videos in the Science Minute™ Video Collection

3. On your recording page, list the 3 videos that you want to watch.

4. Watch 3 videos. For each video watch it all of the way through one time. Then watch a second time, record the title, materials, procedures and results on your recording page.

5. Choose one of the experiments and display what you learned in a creative way (Pic Collage, Explain Everything, iMovie Trailer, Apple Clips, Canva, your choice).

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

OPTIONAL: If you wanted to try any of these experiments at home, that is great! Take pictures to share with your EY coordinator. If you need help gathering supplies for an experiment you want to try, talk to your EY coordinator.

#2: The Oregon Trail

Social Studies Enrichment

The Oregon Trail was a pathway that pioneers took to journey westward to Oregon during the 1800s. This trail was not a railroad; instead, it consisted of a network of worn tracks that extended from Missouri to Oregon.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #2: The Oregon Trail

2.  Record the names of the landmarks the people saw on the trail.

3. Choose 3 of the questions to answer after watching the video.  Remind your teacher that the key can be found in the Social Studies mini spark folder.

  1. What types of transportation did Pioneers use while traveling on the Oregon Trail? 
  2. Name at least two landmarks mentioned in the video that served as mile markers for the Pioneers.  
  3. Explain why natural wonders were important to the Pioneers on their journey.
  4. How did Pioneers mark their presence at Chimney Rock?
  5. Describe the significance of Chimney Rock to the Pioneers traveling west.  
  6. What does the phrase “if man does not feel like an insect here” suggest about the size of Chimney Rock in relation to the Pioneers?

4.  Choose 3 historic sites to read about that were along the trail.  When you get to the Oregon Trail Webpage, click on the names of the sites to find the information pages. Make a tiny fact page that explains the sites.

5. Study this map of the Oregon Trail. Record 3 things you notice, 2 questions you have, and 1 thing you learned.

6.  Study this map with modern roads labeled. Find the east and west end of the Oregon Trail. First find Independence, Missouri and then Oregon City, Oregon.  What roads would you choose to take today to get from Independence to Oregon City?

7. Share your Social Studies mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.