And the winner is…
Waylon from Oakdale with a paper tower height of 60 inches!
Check out some of the other awesome structures students built!
Category Archives: Uncategorized
2020-21 Weekly Challenge #15: Snowflakes
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.
- Learn about The Science Behind Snow: https://www.noaa.gov/stories/how-do-snowflakes-form-science-behind-snow
- TED-Ed The science of snowflakes – Maruša Bradač: https://youtu.be/FwGH4gulLX4
- The Beauty and Science of Snowflakes: https://ssec.si.edu/stemvisions-blog/beauty-and-science-snowflakes
- Making Paper Snowflakes: https://www.marthastewart.com/266694/decorating-with-paper-snowflakes
- Make a 6-Pointed Paper Snowflake: https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Make-6-Pointed-Paper-Snowflakes/
- The Koch Snowflake: http://gofiguremath.org/fractals/koch-snowflake/
- How to Make Borax Crystal Snowflakes: https://www.livescience.com/41636-borax-crystal-snowflakes.html
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
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
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.
#41 – Forever Ago Podcasts
Forever Ago® is a history show for the whole family! Every episode explores the origin of just one thing — like sandwiches, video games, clocks and more — while teaching listeners to think critically about history.
1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #41 – Forever Ago Podcasts
2. Watch this brief video about the Forever Ago podcasts. Explain Forever podcasts using exactly 8 words.
3. In step 4 you will listen to one of the episodes. After listening you will tell others what you learned. Print this review planner or make your own digital copy to organize your thoughts.
4. Choose 1 episode from the list below. Each episode is about 30 minutes so write down your stopping point if you can’t listen to the entire episode all at once. Write the name of the episode you choose on your recording sheet.
- Episode 1 – Video Games: A Tale of Two Pongs
- Episode 2 – Cameras: From Pinholes to Perfect Selfies
- Episode 3 – Skateboards: When Rollerskates Meet Surfboards
- Episode 4 – Sandwiches: A Hillel By Any Other Name
- Episode 5 – Clocks: A Brief History in Telling Time
- Episode 6 – Emojis: The :)That Changed Everything
- Episode 7 – Umbrellas: The Magic Invention of the Sculptress
- Episode 8 – Shoes: How French Royalty Became the Fashion Police
5. Fill out the review planner digitally or on paper.
6. OPTIONAL: Take a video of yourself reading your digital planner and share it with your teacher.
7. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and your planner with your teacher/EY coordinator.
Science Mini Spark #5 – How Clean Are Your Hands?
#52: Thank You Notes
An act of expressing your appreciation through a few words, a thank you note, is an important way to show your gratitude for someone and their time. In this mini spark you will learn about the basics and create a thank you note for Veteran’s Day.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #52: Thank You Notes
2. Veteran’s Day is November 11th, visit this website to learn more about the history of Veterans Day. Record 5 details about the history of veteran’s day to your recording page.
3. Learn the basics of writing a thank you note. Write each bold prase on your recording page as you read step 3.
Greeting. Don’t forget to make sure you’re using the correct form and spelling of the person’s name. Put a comma after the greeting.
- Dear Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bob,
Express your thanks. Begin with the two most important words: Thank you.
- Thank you so much for…
- It made my day when I opened…
- I’m so grateful you were there when…
Add specific details. Tell them how you plan to use or display their gift. It shows them that you really appreciate the thought that went into it. Even if it’s cold hard cash, describe how you’ll spend the stuff.
- Here’s a picture of me with my new briefcase. I look so professional!
- I can’t wait to use the birthday money you sent to decorate my dorm room.
- The going-away party meant so much to me. Having all my friends and family in one place was something I’ll never forget.
Look ahead. Mention the next time you might see them, or just let them know you’re thinking of them.
- We look forward to seeing you next month at Lucy’s party.
Restate your thanks. Add details to thank them in a different way.
- Again, thank you for your generosity. I’m so excited about college. I’ll let you know all about it when I get settled.
- We felt so blessed that you made the trip to be with us on our wedding day. We can’t wait to see you again soon!
End with your regards. “Sincerely” is a safe standby, but for closer relationships, you might choose a warmer option.
- With love,
- Many thanks,
- Yours truly,
4. Read over this graphic about writing thank you notes. Write 3-5 reminders on your recording page.
5. Try it! On your recording page, use the steps from #3 and write a thank you note. You can write a pretend note to a fictional person or you can write one to someone who you would like to thank for helping you.
6. OPTIONAL: Use this template or use your recording page to write a thank you note to a Veteran. If you do not personally know a veteran, you can write a general thank you to all Veterans.
7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and your thank you note with your teacher/EY coordinator.
Source: https://ideas.hallmark.com/articles/thank-you-ideas/how-to-write-a-thank-you-note/
2020-21 Weekly Challenge #11: Organizing Data
We are surrounded by information (data) and it’s important to organize it into presentable and easy to understand ways!
For this week’s Weekly Challenge, you are going to display some information. You can choose the topic and the way you represent it. You must also include 5 questions that can be answered from your information.
If you need some inspiration, you can watch The Great Graph Contest.
When you’re finished with the challenge, submit your work using the Google Form: https://forms.gle/KKW9RsmEhqp3TVoz7
#50: News Report Writing
The purpose of news report writing is to inform an audience. A news report is a story that is currently happening or that just happened. Writing a news report is easy if you write about the subject in a style that is clear, concise, and active. One of the best practices for writers is to follow is using the Who, What, Where, When,Why, and How of a story.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #50: News Report Writing
2. One should gather answers to the 5 W’s and H questions while writing about an event or something that happened. Record the 5 W’s and H on your recording sheet
3. Watch this video about the basics of writing a news report and take 5 notes on your recording page.
4. Visit, Scholastic Kids Press. Select an article and identify the 5 W’s in the story on your recording page
Choose number 5 ot 6
5. Complete the following News Report Writing activity. Look at the chart and choose a W for each part of the story. Write your report on your recording page.
6. Prepare your own new report about a current event. Add it to your recording page. OPTIONAL STEP: Set up your ipad and video yourself reading your report aloud.
7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator
SEL Mini Spark #3 – Square Breathing
In this video, boost your superpowers of calm and focus by breathing as Puffer Fish keeps time. Try playing this mindful game when you are overly excited or are in a meltdown. It is also helpful to play this game when you feel already feel relaxed to build the muscles of calming down in more stressful situations.