Category Archives: Social Studies Enrichment

#61: Dia de los Muertos

Social Studies Enrichment

Source: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/day-of-the-dead

Many of you are VERY excited that Halloween is coming up? But, did you know that Halloween (or All Hallow’s Eve) is the night before Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)? The celebrations for each culture are woven together in interesting ways!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies spark recording page: #61: Dia de los Muertos

2. Read the following information and record 8-10 pieces of information on your recording page.

Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls’ Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s. The holiday, which is celebrated mostly in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd, is like a family reunion—except dead ancestors are the guests of honor. Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory.

First, people set up a candlelit altar in their homes so spirits can find their way back to their relatives. The altar also offers some of the favorite foods of the deceased—just in case they get hungry. Items that were important to the ancestors when they were alive, such as a favorite book or musical instrument, are placed on the altar as well.

Then it’s off to the graveyard for a big party. Families bring a huge feast to eat while they clean tombstones, sing songs, and talk to their ancestors. Parents might even introduce a baby to a grandparent who died before the baby was born.

And don’t forget the skeletons. During Day of the Dead, life-size papier-mâché skeletons and miniature plastic or clay skeletons are everywhere. Why? Mexicans honor their ancestors on Day of the Dead, but they’re also reminding themselves that death is just a part of life. Hanging out with skeletons reminds people that one day they will be skeletons—but not for a very long time!

The skeletons are posed doing all sorts of wacky things, such as playing guitar, taking a bath, or making tortillas. Apparently people aren’t the only ones who get to have fun on Day of the Dead!

3. Look over the pictures at National Geographic Kids. Choose one of the pictures and describe it in detail using 3-5 sentences.

4. Some of you may have seen the Disney movie, Coco! Click on the video below to see how Coco honors Dia de los Muertos. Watch the clip carefully. Write down 3 things you liked about the clip. Explain why you liked each thing. Write 2 suggestions for how the clip could be improved.

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

#60: Hidden Figures

Social Studies Enrichment, Uncategorized

“Hidden Figures” is a biographical book about four African American women who worked as mathematicians at NASA during the Space Race and played pivotal roles in the Apollo program. Their contributions were essential in advancing America’s space exploration efforts, particularly during the historic Apollo missions to the Moon

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #60: Hidden Figures

2. Record the names of the mathematicians you will learn about in this mini spark on your recording page: Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden.

3. Listen to Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race.  For each of these dates you hear in the story, pause the story and write a phrase about that date.

1943, 1945, 1951, 1953, (1950s), 1957, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1969

 

4. In 3-5 explain how Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes. Use details from the story. Add your response to your recording page.

5. Read more about Katherine Johnson at this Wonderopolis page.

  • Read the page
  • Take the wonderword challenge. Add your score your recording page.
  • Do the Did you Get It quiz. Add your score your recording page.

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

Check out the Mission to Mars badge and Space traveler badge at the EY Website.

#59: Wondering about Geography?

Learning Opportunities, Social Studies Enrichment

Are you curious about geography? Check out the Wonderopolis website for Wonders all about the world around us. Check out the specific Wonders below that will get your brain thinking about all things geography!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #59 Wondering about Geography?

2. This mini spark has you explore Wonderopolis Wonders related to geography. Look over these choices and write down the three you would like to read.

3. Write down the title of the first article. Read the first article. Look at all of the pictures and watch any videos. Read the “Wonder Words,” and take the wonderword challenge. Record your score. Take the “Test Your Knowledge” quiz. Record your score.

4. Write down the title of the second article. Read the second article. Look at all of the pictures and watch any videos. Read the “Wonder Words,” and take the wonderword challenge. Record your score. Take the “Test Your Knowledge” quiz. Record your score.

5. Write down the title of the third article. Read the third article. Look at all of the pictures and watch any videos. Read the “Wonder Words,” and take the wonderword challenge. Record your score. Take the “Test Your Knowledge” quiz. Record your score.

6. OPTIONAL Pick out your favorite wonder and do further research on the topic.  There is much more to be learned after finishing the article!  Create a product to share your learning.

7. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and poem with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Wonderopolis Badges at the EY website.

 

 

 

#58: Ancient Origins of Halloween

Social Studies Enrichment

Halloween evolved from the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain. Over the centuries, Halloween transitioned from a pagan ritual to a day of parties, costumes, jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating for kids and adults.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies spark recording page: #48: Ancient Origins of Halloween

2. Read this information page about Halloween’s History. Record any details that were new to your on your recording sheet.

3. Based on this information, you can see that traditions cover centuries and adapt to the changing times. What Halloween or Fall traditions does your family practice? Write a response on your recording sheet.

4. Do some research and record what you find on your recording sheet. Feel free to record any other Halloween details that you find.

  •  Why are black and orange tied to Halloween?
  • Why do we see Jack O’ Lanterns at Halloween
  • What does candy corn pop up at the stores around Halloween?

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

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween

#56: The Pineapple Express

Social Studies Enrichment

This mini spark will introduce your to a current events resource, the World from A-Z, that promotes critical thinking, civil discourse, and compassion in your classroom.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #56: The Pineapple Express?

2. Watch this current events video that will help you understand the Pineapple Express along with many other topics. Explain the pineapple express in 3 sentences.

3. Choose 3 of the prompts below to answer to show what you learn from the A-Z video.

  1. What is the purpose of the light festival in Copenhagen mentioned in the video?
  2. Explain what an atmospheric river is and its impact on California.
  3. How do atmospheric rivers play a role in providing rainfall on the West Coast according to scientists?
  4. Describe the concept of neuralgia discussed in the video.
  5. What potential benefits and concerns are associated with brain computer interfaces like Neuralink?
  6. Share the historical significance of February 6th as mentioned in the video.
  7. How is scorpion venom used in various fields, as explained in the video?
  8. Describe the process of extracting scorpion venom as outlined in the video

4. OPTIONAL Check out more episodes at The World A-Z Video choices 

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

Link to EY badge-The World from A-Z

#55: Flying Rivers

Geography Bee, Social Studies Enrichment

Learn about the Amazon Rainforest and how the Wampís Nation has been protecting the forest and the largest river in the world. 

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #55: Flying Rivers
  2. Watch the video and keep track of at least 3 positive ways the Wampís people are helping our world.

  1. Imagine you are a scientist studying the Amazon rainforest. Write a 2 paragraph journal entry describing the incredible biodiversity you have observed, why it is important to protect this unique ecosystem, and the flying rivers. Please include these words in your journal entry.
  • Ecosystem: A community of living organisms, along with their nonliving environment, interacting as a system.
  • Biodiversity: The variety of living organisms in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
  • Indigenous: Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.
  1. Share your social studies mini spark recording page  with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#54: Planting Trees

Geography Bee, Social Studies Enrichment

Trees help clean the air. Trees produce the pure oxygen we breathe, and remove air pollution by lowering air temperature, through respiration and by retaining particulates, but can it be bad to plant a tree?

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #54: Planting Trees
  2. Before watching the video spend a few minutes thinking about possible times/situations when you would not want to plant a tree. Write down your ideas.
  3. Watch this TED EDU video about helping our environment by planting trees. This same video is also about how our environment can be hurt by planting trees. While you watch, take notes tracking new, interesting, and important information.

 

4. After you are done, write an interview between a reporter and a tree. Choose at least 3 of the questions below to ask the tree.

Sample script

Reporter– Hello, Aspen. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. Will you please tell me the difference between afforestation and reforestation?

Aspen-Of course, I am glad to be here. The words sound similar, and they are but there is a difference between them. Afforestation is the planting of trees in places devoid of any forest, while reforestation is the practice of restoring recently degraded forests.

Question Choices

  1. Why are trees considered a solution to curb climate change?
  2. What is the Bonn Challenge and what is its goal?
  3. Why do companies plant trees?
  4. Why are natural forests better at carbon storage compared to plantations?
  5. Why is it important to consider the species of trees and the lands when planting trees?
  6. What are the unintended consequences of planting trees in regions that naturally reflect sunlight?
  7. What is the current approach of Chile in tree planting efforts?
  8. What are some methods mentioned in the video to re-green the planet?
  9. When is it bad to plant trees?

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

#53: Constitution Day

Social Studies Enrichment

Constitution Day, which is celebrated every year on September 17th, commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. 

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #53: Constitution Day

2. Watch these two videos. Explain the constitution in 3 sentences.

3. Make a 5 question quiz with an answer key to go along with the two videos. 

4. Go to this link to take a quiz. Add your score on your recording page.

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

#52: The Acropolis

Social Studies Enrichment

Ancient cities were often built around a fortress on top of a hill. When a city spread to the area below, the high part came to be called the acropolis, which means “city at the top” in Greek. The best-known acropolis is in Athens, Greece.  The Acropolis of Athens contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #52: The Acropolis

2. Watch this introduction video and respond to this prompt: Why was it important to the Greeks to have a location high above the city? 

 

3.  You will go on a virtual tour of the Acropolis of Athens. The Virtual Tour of the Acropolis highlights the most prominent monuments. Record these 4 monuments on your recording sheet: The Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Leave room so you can record 3-4 details about each one.

4.  Watch this introduction video.

Go to https://www.acropolisvirtualtour.gr/ to start your tour. Add details on your recording sheet for each monument.

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

Check out the Greek Mythology badges at the EY website.

#51: Write About Ancient Adventures

Other Events & Contests, Social Studies Enrichment

Take the excitement of history and mix it with your imagination to create ancient adventures! You can pick any person, place or event from history to inspire your mini-saga, a story told in just 100 words that must have a beginning, a middle & an ending.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page:#51: Write About Ancient Adventures.

2. Watch this introduction video about a writing contest that was held last year. It isn’t open for submissions at this time, but you can earn this social studies mini spark by creating your own mini story. Make a list of  at least 5 of the topics suggested in the video.

3. Check out some examples of other students’ mini-sagas!  Read 3 of these stories. Choose your favorite and explain what made it stand out.

4. From discovering a pharaoh’s tomb, or a soldier in the trenches, to being a president or an explorer it’s a great way to tie in creative writing with history to have a bit of fun, and to create an original short story.  Which era or person will get your creativity flowing? List 5 topics that will inspire you  to write with history! ***Note-Your teacher may choose a topic for you.

5. Download or Print this graphic organizer help you get started!

6. Choose one topic, and write your mini saga. You can be inspired by other stories, but your mini-saga must be written in your own words.

7. Add a copy of your story to your recording page.

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