Category Archives: Uncategorized

Early Enrichment Spark #54: Poetry!

Early Enrichment, Uncategorized

Pictured above is one of my favorite poets – Amanda Gorman. In the picture, she is reading a poem at the inauguration of President Joe Biden! And, she is just 22 years old!!

Amanda Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, as well as an award-winning writer! She has written for the New York Times and has three books forthcoming with Penguin Random House.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, she began writing at only a few years of age. Now her words have won her invitations to the Obama White House and to perform for Lin-Manuel Miranda, Al Gore, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai, and others.

In 2017, Amanda Gorman was appointed the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate by Urban Word – a program that supports Youth Poets Laureate in more than 60 cities, regions and states nationally. She is the recipient of the Poets & Writers Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, and is the youngest. board member of 826 National, the largest youth writing network in the United States.

Click on the link below to watch Amanda Gorman read her poem “Talking Gets Us There”.

https://pbskids.org/video/dots-spot/3050991492

HERE’S YOUR CHALLENGE: WRITE A POEM OF YOUR OWN!!

Go to https://www.poetry4kids.com/ to explore! Click on the “Poems” tab to read poems others have written to help you gain some inspiration!

Under the “Lessons” tab, you’ll find poetry lessons, as well as a rhyming dictionary!!

Submit your poem in the comments below.

2020-21 Weekly Challenge #19: Cold Weather Science Experiments

Current Challenge, Uncategorized

Below Zero Temperatures = Science Experiments!

For this week’s Weekly Challenge, try one of these Cold Weather Science Experiments and figure out if it’s real or a myth!  Don’t forget to share your results!

  1. Freezing Soap Bubbles: Head outside with some bubble solution and blow some bubbles!  NOTE:  Try heating up the bubble solution in the microwave beforehand.  You can make your own bubble solution with 2 cups of water, half a cup of dish soap, and 2 teaspoons sugar.
  2. Banana Hammer: Hang a banana outside for a few hours and it will freeze solid-solid enough for you to be able to hammer actual nails with it.
  3. Make An Ice Thrower: Fill a Super Soaker with boiling water and then shoot it out into the cold.  When very hot water meets very cold air, the water vaporizes, turning it into ice crystals…essentially, homemade snow.  Don’t have a Super Soaker, just use the pot you boiled the water in.
  4. Freeze-Fry An Egg: Don’t actually eat it, but leave a frying pan outside for about 15 minutes and then crack an egg into it.  What happens?
  5. Instant Freeze Water – Bottle Slam

If none of these experiments catch your interest, a simple Google search for “Cold Weather Science” will display several options.  Have fun and don’t forget to submit your learning!

Submit Your Work Here: https://forms.gle/PcVvit1VbANsZfBcA

#51: Scientific Calculator Lesson

Full STEAM Ahead, Uncategorized

You will use your scientific calculator in science and math classes in middle school and high school. Work on this STEAM mini spark to learn how to use this tool.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page:  #51: Scientific Calculator Lesson

2. Find a scientific calculator to use for this mini spark. If you don’t have one you can use an online one. Type “Scientific Calculator” and one will come up for you.

3. Print this reminder sheet or open it up.  This is an image of a graphing calculator, but most of the buttons will be the same on a scientific calculator. Record all of the words and what they do on your recording sheet.

4. Watch this video. Take note on your recording page and try out the different keys she discusses on your own calculator while you watch.

5. Write down any of the common mistakes that the teacher discusses in the video.

6.  Explain to another student how to find the square root, take a number to the 3rd power, and how to write a number in scientific notation.

7. Remember to ask your teacher before using a calculator on an assignment. There are times when it is ok to use a calculator, and times when your teacher wants you to practice the math skills.

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

2020-21 Weekly Challenge #16: Intro to Opera

Current Challenge, Uncategorized

Art requires creativity and imagination and enhances flexibility, adaptability, productivity, responsibility and innovation – all required skills for a successful career in any field of study.  
The ‘A’ in STEAM represents ‘Art’ which includes music.

source: https://sproutsupplies.com/blog/steam-the-importance-of-art-in-stem-education/

For this week’s Weekly Challenge, you’ll have an opportunity to explore the world of opera.  There are several different learning choices.  Pick as many activities as you’d like and then demonstrate your learning by creating a product.

You are welcome to find other resources of your own.  Have fun!

Submit Your Work Here: https://forms.gle/UmK5n4AXx9V5gpG78

NOTE:  There is a Marvelous World of Opera badge available if you’re interested.  Get a copy of the recording sheet here: https://sites.google.com/westside66.net/eybadgepage/fine-arts-badges?authuser=0

Storytelling Workshop – January 20

MS Learning Opportunities, Uncategorized

Image Source: http://clipart-library.com/clipart/53061.htm

In this half-day workshop, participants will explore the basics of acting, using the natural tools of voice and body, as well as integrating technology to engage in dynamic storytelling. Students will learn how to develop character through movement, sound, and visual composition. By using creativity, self-assessment, and constructive dialogue, students will discover their own unique theatrical narrative style. Contemporary text, improvisation, and personal writing will challenge each student to reach beyond their limits, in order to honestly and joyfully search for their character and story.

Sign up now!  https://forms.gle/dZ8fE8goDk2hWWgx7

# 7: Platypus Study

Science Mini Spark, Uncategorized

Platypuses continue to uphold their status as one of the most unusual animals on the planet. Recent research published in the scientific journal Mammalia reveals that platypus fur emits a bluish-green glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. Only a handful of other mammals possess this ability, and the platypus is the first monotreme— a type of mammal that lays eggs— to demonstrate this phenomenon.

Spark you thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: # 7: Platypus Study

2. Look over this info page and record 5 details on your recording page.

3. Read this article published by Newsela to learn more. Take the quiz after the article, Scroll down carefully as the answers are at the bottom and you don’t want to see them until you are done. Write your answers on your recording page. When you are done, check your work and record your score it on your recording page.

4. Go to this webpage and read more information about the topic.  Take 5 notes on your recording page.

5. Choose 1 of these projects

  • What other animals have biofluorescence? Do research to find out. Create a list of 5.
  • Research scientific sketching. Create a scientific sketch of a platypus. Add a picture to your recording page.

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

 

 

2020-21 Weekly Challenge #15: Snowflakes

Current Challenge, Uncategorized

image source: https://pixabay.com/vectors/flake-snow-snow-flake-snowflake-2029377/

Whether you’re creating one with a folded piece of paper and pair of scissors or you’re learning about the science and math behind them…
Snowflakes are so FASCINATING!

For this week’s Weekly Challenge, you have several different learning choices.  Pick as many activities as you’d like and then demonstrate your learning by creating a product.

Feel free to find other snowflake resources!  Learn something new and have fun creating!
Submit Your Work Here: https://forms.gle/xis68jyeLR31efLj7

#55: Bio Poems

Reading Enrichment, Uncategorized

A bio poem is a simple poem that provides biographical information about a person, historial figure, or literary character.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #55: Bio Poems

2. A bio poem is a simple poem written about a person, and it follows a predictable pattern. Bio poems generally don’t rhyme, and they can be autobiographical (about another person) or biographical (about yourself). Record this information on your recording sheet.

3.  Decide who you want to research for your Bio Poem. Here are some options to get your brainstorming kick started.

  • American Presidents
  • African American Leaders
  • Influential Women
  • Favorite Athlete, Musician or Artist
  • Family Member or Friend
  • Yourself

4. Research your selected person (or interview family member) so that you have content for your Bio Poem. Take notes on your recording page.

5. Read the sample Bio Poem below about Rosa Parks.

6. Use the guide and template below to draft your own Bio Poem!

Optional: Draw or include a picture of your selected person.

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

#46: Make Oobleck

Full STEAM Ahead, Uncategorized

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #46: Make Oobleck

2. Watch this video. Record the science terms from the video on your recording page. When you see the materials needed to make oobleck, pause the video and record the list on your recording page. Also write a summary of the directions.

3. Gather your materials. Add a picture of your materials to your recording page. **Note a bowl works better than a cup for this project.

4. Make the oobleck. Take a few pictures during the process and at the end.

5. Record the answers to these questions on your recording sheet.

  • What do fluids and solids do, what determines their shape, and can they be compressed?
  • How is Oobleck like a fluid?
  • How is Oobleck like a solid?

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