Category Archives: Uncategorized
Math Pre-Testing
Pre-Testing in Math
Pre-Testing in math is more than just a way to separate your students into two groups for a unit: those who already know it and those who don’t. The data collected from a pre-test should inform your instruction for the unit and help you to adjust your plans…move quicker, skip it, do a more creative activity, etc. For more information on quality pre-tests, check out Byrdseed Six Traits of Quality Pre-Assessments.
#85 Spreadsheets and Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD)
Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) is how far, on average, all data values are from the middle. To find the MAD of the you can follow 3 easy steps:
- Find the mean of the values.
- Find the distance of each value from that mean (subtract the mean from each value, ignore minus signs which is also the absolute value)
- Then find the mean of those distances
For this Math Mini Spark, you’ll be finding the MAD on a spreadsheet.
Spark your math thinking!
- Set up your math mini spark recording page: #85 Spreadsheets and MAD
- Calculate the MAD of this data set: 3, 6, 6, 7, 8, 11, 15, 16
- Find the mean of the values.
- Find the distance of each value from that mean (subtract the mean from each value, ignore minus signs which is also the absolute value)
- Then find the mean of those distances
- Look over the first part of this post from Math is Fun that outlines the steps. Make sure that each of the steps you did were correct.
- Make a Copy of this spreadsheet by clicking the link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ndcgCZ1EeVcKausxtkmBkONVfCeilbQNE6ukdUCWYk8/copy
- Watch the video and complete the steps shown in the video on your own spreadsheet.
7. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
NOTE: This mini-spark can be used as 1 spreadsheet lesson for the Spreadsheet Superstar Badge.
#59: 1 hand book review
Before you share a book with a friend, it helps to share a quick, ‘handy’ book review. Learn how in this mini spark.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #59: 1 hand book review
2. Read over these instructions and write down the 5 sentence starters on your recording page.
3. Choose a book that you have recently read and enjoyed. Write the title on your recording page.
4. Open this sheet and read it. You can print it if you want. You will use this as a guide to writing your own.
5. Create your own script on your recording page.
6. Choose at least two people and read your 1-hand book review to them.
7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
2020-21 Weekly Challenge #21: NE SciFest
Nebraska Science Festival is happening the entire month of April and there are so many fun ways to participate!
Head over the NE SciFest website and check out the different contests, challenges, and learning opportunities!
Website Link: https://www.nescifest.com/
Go Zen Printables
#58: Halloween Roll-A-Story
Ready for some Halloween writing fun?
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page:#58:Halloween Roll-A-Story
2. Grab a die or use this online version
What to do:
- Roll your dice three different times.
- The first number you roll will be your character. Record it.
- The second number you roll will be your setting. Record it.
- The third number you roll will be your conflict. Record it.
4. Use your character, setting, and conflict to write a silly spooky story.
5. Optional: Illustrate your story.
6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and your spooktacular story with your teacher/EY coordinator.
#54: Amanda Gorman
Five presidents have had poets read at their Presidential inaugurations. This mini spark is about Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history!
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your Early Enrichment Mini Spark recording page: #54: Amanda Gorman
2. Read this short article about Ms. Gorman. What was her advice for young poets? Write her advice on your recording sheet.
3. Listen to this poem. Record a line of the poem on your recording sheet.
4. Your challenge is to write a short rhyming poem. The topic is YOU! Use this rhyming dictionary if needed.
5. Share your Early Enrichment Mini Spark recording page with your teacher or EY Coordinator.
2020-21 Weekly Challenge #19: Cold Weather Science Experiments
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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- 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
2020-21 Weekly Challenge #16: Intro to Opera
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.
- Opera Facts for Kids: https://kids.kiddle.co/Opera
- Kids Meet an Opera Singer: https://youtu.be/95RLviccrQc
- Shh! We Have A Plan | Opera for Kids: https://youtu.be/2k_yEBBEvyw
- Blob Opera: https://artsandculture.google.com/experiment/blob-opera/AAHWrq360NcGbw
- Children’s Opera “Little Red Riding Hood”: https://youtu.be/KdnOZwrrhUA
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