Category Archives: Learning Opportunities

#90: A Ridiculous Long Way to Find Out the Day of the Week You Were Born

Math Minute

Do you know what day of the week you were born on?  If not, you could…

  1. Ask your parent(s)/guardian(s) if they remember the day of the week.
  2. You could “Google”: What day of the week was May 16, 1975 (that’s my birthday)

OR

You can do this ridiculously long way…which is more fun IMO!

Step 1: Take the last 2 digits of the year in which you were born.

Step 2: Divide that number by 4 and ignore any remainder.

Step 3: Add the day of the month.

Step 4: Add the month’s key value.

  • January and October:Key Value = 1
  • February, March, and November: Key Value = 4
  • April and July: Key Value = 0
  • May: Key Value = 2
  • June: Key Value = 5
  • August: Key Value = 3
  • September and December: Key Value = 6

Step 5: Subtract 1 for January or February of a leap year.

Step 6:

  • Add 0 if the date is in the 1900s
  • Add 6 if the date is in the 2000s
  • Add 4 for the 1700s
  • Add 2 for the 1800s

Step 7:  Add the last 2 digits of the year.

Step 8: Divide by 7 and take the remainder.

  • Remainder 1 is Sunday
  • Remainder 2 is Monday
  • Remainder 3 is Tuesday
  • Remainder 4 is Wednesday
  • Remainder 5 is Thursday
  • Remainder 6 is Friday

Now double-check your work by searching on Google!  Bonus: Create a product that shows your work!  Look below for an example.

#89 Matrices

Math Minute

           

Matrices are rectangular arrangements of rows and columns.

In this mini spark, you will learn about the basics of matrices by watching 2 videos and taking notes.  You can extend your learning by completing the Marvelous Matrices badge!

Step 1: Start by taking out your math notebook.  Put the date at the top and put the title of this mini spark.

Step 2: Watch the 2 videos below and take notes with the new information you learned.

Step 3: Show your notes to your EY Coordinator and/or classroom teacher.

Language Arts Mini Spark #71 – Nonfiction Poetry

Reading Enrichment

Nonfiction poetry focuses on conveying facts about subjects through engaging and creative narratives. Nonfiction poetry can be a fun and thought-provoking way to tell a story or impart information.

Step 1 – Learn about an important historical event (Apollo 11) by reading the article, The Moon Landing on the National Geographic Kids website. Click on photo to read.

Step 2 – Listen to this example of nonfiction poetry about Apollo 11, Eight Days Gone. Click on photo to watch/listen.

Step 3 – Explore these websites and choose an article of interest. Read the article 1-2 times.

Step 4 – Create your nonfiction verse in the form of a Cinquain poem. Cinquain poems follow a specific 5 line pattern. Use these sheets to further analyze your article/topic and draft your poem.

Step 5 – Find a photo to accompany your poem, choose an app on your iPad to create a visual display of your work.

Step 6 – Share! Email your finished work to your building’s EY Coordinator.

Early Enrichment #59: Fables vs. Fairy Tales

Early Enrichment

Click on the image above to watch a video about the differences and similarities of Fables and Fairy Tales.

Fables are stories that are passed down, with a good lesson or moral to be learned, and are about animals, plants, or forces of nature that are humanlike. Fairy tales are stories that often involve magical characters, have good and evil characters, and generally start with “once upon a time.”

Click on the video below to hear a story. After you’ve listened to the story, scroll down to answer a couple of questions.

Answer the following questions in the comments below (don’t forget to include your first name and last initial and your school):

  1. Was this a fable or a fairy tale?
  2. How do you know? Use reasons from the 1st video.

Social Studies Spark #49: The Museum of the Fur Trade

Social Studies Enrichment

This summer, my family & I took a trip to western Nebraska and visited the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron, Nebraska! I learned so many things about the Fur Trade!

If you’re not familiar with the fur trade, watch this quick video:

https://www.pbs.org/video/fur-trade-aqnxgy/

The Museum of the Fur Trade was created in Chadron, Nebraska because it is located on the original James Bordeaux trading post, which is an important historical site. This trading post (pictured above) was established in the fall of 1837 as a site for the American Fur Company to conduct business with the Native Americans who spent their winters in the area.

The trading post was reconstructed on its original foundation in 1956 & formally opened to the public later that year.

Learn more about the Museum of the Fur Trade by watching this video:

Finally, go check out the museum itself by clicking this link: https://www.furtrade.org/

What history did you learn about this summer?

Insert your experiences in the comments below!

Language Arts Mini Spark #70 Why is there a “B” in doubt?

Reading Enrichment

Cat- C-A-T     Dog. D-O-G

Not all words have spellings that are as clear and easy to remember as these two. Watch this TED ED video about why there is a “B” in doubt.

 

Record all of the forms of doubt and double from the video. Do research to add more words to your list that were not mentioned.

Make an ABC book with a word for each letter that includes a silent letter.

Read this information page about Latin. Record several important details as you read.

Read more about silent letters at Wonderopolis. Take the Wonder Word Challenge or Test Your Knowledge when you are done reading.

Science Mini Spark #10 Scared of Snakes?

Learning Opportunities, Science Mini Spark

Visit this video and learn more about vipers without having to actually see one in person. 

Choose a project below to create to earn this mini spark. 

* The word “Viper” comes from what term, meaning giving birth to live young? Make a definition page with this word with the definition and five other interesting words from the video.

* What allows the viper’s fangs to be extra long? Research snake fangs and create a pic collage or other visual with your findings. 

* How does the snake’s rattle make noise? Draw a pictures showing this process. 

Share your work with your teacher or your EY coordinator.

 

Language Arts Mini Spark #69 ULTIMATE Writing Challenge

Learning Opportunities, Reading Enrichment

When reading a favorite story take some time to notice the length of the sentences you are reading. Writers often use a variety of sentence lengths to create a rhythm.

Using long sentences with lots of details, short and sweet to the point sentences, and combined with mid length sentences will make your story flow.

To complete this mini spark watch this video and complete the 12 sentence story challenge.

Turn your story into your teacher or EY coordinator.

Post adapted from http://briantolentino.com/