Category Archives: Uncategorized

#10: Brain Break: Thought Bubbles

Uncategorized

Ever feel that your mind is too busy? Do the ‘Thought Bubbles’ video to blow them away.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your SEL mini spark recording page: #10: Brain Break: Thought Bubbles 

2.  Watch this video. When you are done write, ” I did the brain break: thought bubbles” on your recording page.

3.  Why would brain breaks be helpful for students? 

4. Write the steps explaining how to do this type of brain break. The audience is a grade 4 student.

5.  Share your SEL mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

#9: Guided Meditation: Procrastination

SEL Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

What is procrastination? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, procrastination means “to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done.” Do you ever procrastinate? Sal from Khan Academy has recorded a few short meditations to help with this problem.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your SEL mini spark recording page: #9: Guided Meditation: Procrastination

2.    Think of a time when you put something off until the last minute, something that you knew you probably shouldn’t have. It doesn’t have to be school related. Write it here.

3.   NOTE: This step will take about 12 minutes and it is helpful if you can sit in a quiet space.

Complete this “Guided Meditation to help you stop procrastinating” with Sal. When you are done, write “I did guided meditation” on your recording sheet.

 

4.  Write down three ideas you would like to remember from your guided session.

5. Share your SEL mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

#36: All about Pandas

Science Mini Spark, Uncategorized

Spark your thinking!

  1. Set up your Science Mini Spark recording page: #36: All about Pandas
  2. Read this fact page about pandas.  Create a challenging 5 question mini quiz using information from the fact page. Make an answer key as well.
  3.   Watch this video about the pandas diet. Choose 2 questions to answer on your recording page. For each question include two sentences.

How do pandas adapt physically to their bamboo diet?
Explain why panda cubs are born so small compared to their mothers.
What role does a panda’s diet play in its fur color?
Discuss the historical range of giant pandas and how it has changed.

  1. Bamboo is a type of grass. It can grow as tall as a tree and can look more like forest than grassland. Read more about bamboo at Britannica Kids.  Make a tiny fact page about bamboo. Include 5 details.
  2. Read this article to find out the types of pandas that are there and why are pandas endangered. From the point of view of a panda, explain the different types of pandas and why pandas are endangered. Use information from the article.  Please write 3+ sentences.

6. Share your Science Mini Spark Mini Spark recording page with your teacher or EY Coordinator.

 

#34: A Dog’s Nose

Science Mini Spark, Uncategorized

You may have heard the expression that dogs ‘see with their noses.’ But these creature’s amazing nasal architecture actually reveals a whole world beyond what we can see. Learn about how a dog’s nose can smell the past, the future and even things that can’t be seen at all.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #34: A Dog’s Nose

2.  Watch this video and record 5-10 details about dog noses on your recording sheet.

3. Choose 2 of these questions to answer with 2 sentences. Write your answer from the point of view of a dog.  Remind your teacher that the answer key can be found in the Science Mini Spark folder.

  1. What are the main features of a dog’s nose that allow it to smell so effectively?
  2. How does a dog’s ability to smell differ from that of humans?
  3. Describe the role of the vomeronasal organ in a dog’s sense of smell.
  4. In what ways can dogs use their sense of smell to understand their environment?
  5. How can dogs be trained to respond to various scents, and what are some examples of their abilities?

4. Read an article about a dog detective.  Record number facts from the article. Example: Their sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive than a human’s.

5. Look over this  animal nose information page from the San Diego Zoo.  Record 2 details about each of the animals listed in the article.

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

#110: Extreme Records

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

THE TALLEST, DEADLIEST, FASTEST,
SMALLEST, HOTTEST STUFF ON EARTH!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Math mini spark recording page: #110: Extreme Records

2. Study this teaching page carefully. Write 3 facts that are new to you on your recording sheet.

3. Set up a table like this on your recording sheet:

Leave one row blank for now.

4. Under each of these headings write out all of the numbers included in the resource and their units of measure. Lut Desert has been complete for you as an example:

6. Do your own research to find your own EXTREME RECORD data to add to the table. Examples: the fastest flying animal, the heaviest animal, coldest place on earth, etc. Find 2 samples of measurement about that extreme record and add it to the last row in the table.

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

#86: Doreen Cronin

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

Doreen Cronin has a remarkable talent for transforming everyday occurrences into humorous tales, showcasing her comic genius within the pages of children’s books. She believes that while most of the information we encounter daily fades away, certain thoughts and words linger in our minds for a purpose.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark page #86: Doreen Cronin

2. Learn more about Doreen Cronin and her books. Read this article. Write 3 facts about her on your recording page.

3. Look over this webpage with the titles of her books. Record 3 books you have read or heard of before and 3 that you have not read.

4. Listen to this interview. Record at least 3 suggestions she gives about becoming a better writer.

5. Listen to one of the stories from this playlist. Write the title of the book you choose. After listening choose 2 of these questions to answer.

List 3 adjectives to describe a character in your book. Give an example to prove how each is true.

Some characters play small but important roles in the story. Name such a character. Why is this character necessary for the story?

Did the author keep you interested? How or why?

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

Use this mini spark as your first task in the Author’s Speaks to Kids badge at the EY website.

#109: Volume of a Triangular Prism

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

A triangular prism is a three-dimensional geometric shape characterized by having two identical triangular faces at its ends, connected by three rectangular sides.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #109:Volume of a Triangular Prism

2. Make a sketch of these triangular prism examples on your recording page

  • Tents: Many camping tents have a triangular prism shape, with the top forming a triangle and the sides being rectangular.
  • Pyramids: Some structures, like certain types of pyramids, can resemble triangular prisms when viewed from the side, especially if they have a rectangular base.
  • Wedges: Tools like doorstops or some types of wedges are often designed in the shape of a triangular prism to provide stability and support.
  • Chocolate Bars: Some chocolate bars are shaped like triangular prisms, with two triangular ends and rectangular sides.

3. Record this formula on your recording page.

4.  Watch the teaching video and pause it to do the math on a piece of paper with the teacher. Add a picture of your notes to your recording page.

5. Do 3 practice problems at IXL. Record your work and your answers on your recording sheet. Add your score when you are done. (Sixth grade HH.5  Volume of triangular prisms 6ZL)

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

#85: Compare and Contrast

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

Looking at how things are alike and different helps us think critically. It allows us to analyze information about animal behavior and ecology, so we can understand and form our own ideas about how animals live and interact with their environment.

Spark your thinking!

1.  Set up your language arts mini spark page #85: Compare and Contrast

2. Read this article about seals and sea lions. Write down 5 details about each animal.

3. This article outlines how the animals are different, but there are ideas in the article that suggest how they are the same as well. On your recording sheet use what you learned to make 4 sentences about seals and sea lions using these sentence starters.

1. __________ and __________ are alike because __________.

2. __________ and __________ are different because __________.

3. The most interesting difference between __________ and __________ is __________.

4.  While __________ and __________ are alike because __________, they have different __________.

4. Read this article about crocodiles and alligators. Make a colorful fact sheet with 5-10 facts for each animal.

5.  Create a Venn Diagram on your recording page. Record at least 5 items in each section. The far left section will have information that is only true for alligators, the far right section is only true for crocodiles, and the middle section is information that they share.

 

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

#107: Hidato Puzzles

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

Hidato Puzzles (or Hidoku Puzzles) are the creation of Dr. Gyora M. Benedek, an Israeli mathematician. The Hebrew word “hida” means riddle. In a hidato puzzle, you are given a grid with a selection of the numbers already filled in.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #107: Hidato Puzzles

2. Watch THIS VIDEO and write down, in your own words, how to solve a Hidato Puzzle.  A sample sentence can be found at the end of this post.  You can also visit THIS SITE and get some additional information about Hidato Puzzles, as well as some tips for solving them.

Dig a little deeper!

3. Try solving some Hidato Puzzles on your own!  THIS LINK will take you to several puzzles at varying difficulty levels.  Work with your EY Coordinator to decide how many you need to complete to finish this Mini Spark.

4.  Want to go further?  You can by earning the Hidato Puzzle Badge!  Check out the requirements HERE.  NOTE:  Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Sample Sentence:  One can solve a Hidato Puzzle by connecting numbers in ascending order (starting at 1)  to the next number either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

#62: State Challenge

Uncategorized

In this mini spark you will study the state and try out a state placement challenge.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies spark recording page: #62: State Challenge

2.  Set your timer for 7 minutes. Study this map. Record your starting time and stopping time on your recording sheet.

3. Print out a set of state cards. They do not have to be in color. Print them out one sided.

4. Cut your cards apart.

5. Layout your cards face up on a table or on your desk.

6. To earn this mini spark you need to put all 50 states in the correct place.  Since they are not drawn to scale, they won’t all fit perfectly and you can overlap cards as needed. Look over the options and decide what fits you. Write your choice on your recording sheet.

OPTIONS

Do this challenge with a map

Do this challenge without a map

7. When you are done, check your cards with the map.

8. Fix and states that are in the wrong place. Take a picture and add it to your recording page.

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