Benjamin Bragonier’s YouTube Channel:

Project with ELP Instuctor Ben Bragonier:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQiFlaSL0IOg1Hm7bvuf3g

This two-week extension lesson teaches you how to make your own Durer grid and how to use the grid to make analytical drawings.

This week's lesson is best suited to 3rd grade and up. However, a 1st or 2nd grader with time on their hands -- and plenty of adult support -- could equally give this lesson a go. 

Here is the link to the lesson, Durer Grid Construct & Draw:

https://youtu.be/W2LfrY-A39g

 Materials:

• two 8” x 10” pieces of cardboard (a recycled cereal box or cracker box will do)

• one 6” x 8” piece of cardboard (a recycled cereal box or cracker box will do)

• string, yarn or heavy thread

• tape

• scissors

• glue stick (white glue is fine, but please don’t use a lot)

• plain paper (for drawing)

• regular pencil

 Please feel free to share photos of your newly constructed grid tool, as well as photos of your wonderful drawings, with Mr. Bragonier (benjamin.bragonier@k12northstar.org) and me!

Bye for now!

As this is a short week I've decided to pass along a short project. Both the video link and explanation below will provide ample information for you to solve this arithmetic puzzle. As with any word problem -- spoken or written -- it's a good idea to review the information twice so that you have a clear idea of what is being asked...

Video link: https://youtu.be/c2ozDm4_h40 A silver miner does not have rent money for the month of January. However, he does have a 31" silver bar. His landlady is happy to accept one-inch of silver bar each day as collateral until the end of the month. After day one, the miner realizes that it takes a lot of time and effort to cut the bar. As a result, he decides to cut the bar in the least number of pieces while still making sure that his landlady receives one additional inch of silver bar each day. Now, what is the least number of cuts he can make so that he upholds his end of the bargain during the 31-days?

Here is the link to this week’s extension lesson:

https://youtu.be/JVEn-nHAaSw

 I’ve heard from a number of students during the past several weeks and they’ve been requesting more writing assignments. So, here we go… This week I’m asking students to compose two haiku poems. One poem should be thoughtful and adhere to stringent guidelines. The second poem should just be flat-out hilarious and be free of all non-syllabic guidelines.

 Here’s my all-time favorite haiku poem written by an Anne Wien student about ten years ago. (I remember that student-generated haikus were written down on yellow sticky notes and then posted all over the staff room walls. Was it in April, poetry month?)

 I like poetry

But sometimes I don’t get it

Refrigerator

Funny, right?

____________________

Here is the link to our final extension lesson of the fall semester, Haiku Two:

https://youtu.be/JVEn-nHAaSw

 Considering that haiku poems are an Asian art form, it makes sense that this week includes a little yin-yang. This project includes yin-yang in that students will be challenged to create one very thoughtful haiku poem that adheres to formal structure and tradition as well as a second poem that should be written to be funny, and possibly a little zany.

 Briefly, Haiku poetry is written in three lines with the first line containing five syllables, the second line containing seven syllables, and the third and final line also containing five syllables. Traditionally, haiku poems describe a succinct snap-shot of something from the natural world.

 Send me and Mr. Ben Bragonier (benjamin.bragonier@k12northstar.org) your two polished haiku poems.

 Sharpen your pencils, grab a pad of paper, and go for an inspirational walk.

Here is this week's extension lesson. There are four mini-projects presented, and there should be a little something for everyone.

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/tOFmuRuX5YI

Project #1: Learn the algorithm for figuring out the day of the year you were born (minute 4:33 to minute 12:46).

** See Corrected Project #1 at bottom of post.

Project #2: Learn how to create your own snowflake rubbings and greeting cards (minute 12:46 to minute 40:03).

Projects #3: Learn how to make an airfoil flyer (minute 40:03 to minute 49:44).

Project #4: Scratch that mathematical itch by grappling with the "weighty matters" math problem (minute 49:44 to minute 52:13).

_________________________________________________________

ACTION ITEM(S):

Send me and Ben Bragonier (benjamin.bragonier@k12northstar.org) photos and/or videos of one (or all) of the following: day of the week you were born, your greeting card(s), personal improvements to your airfoil flyer, and your responses to the “Weighty Matters” math problem…

MATERIALS:

• 8 ½” x 11” paper

• colored paper (regular lined paper is just fine too)

• pencil

• glue stick

• tape

• white glue

• string (or yarn or an old shoe lace…)

Enjoy your weekend, and enjoy “A Mixed Bag!”

Bye for now,

Your Physically Remote, But Emotionally Present, Teacher

PS: Here are some fascinating extensions beyond this week's extension…

LINKS TO HELP EXPLAIN WHY ALL SNOWFLAKES HAVE SIX POINTS:

• Science Lesson: Why DO Snowflakes Have Six Points?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUJLYCRwB9E

• Getting Flake-y: Why All Snowflakes Have Six Sides https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbgpVE6sTpE

LINK TO A SHORT YouTube VIDEO ABOUT WILSON BENTLEY:

• “The Snowflake Man” (a short film about Snowflake Bentley): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptLmA263hlk

____________________________

** Changes to Day You Were Born Mini Project

ALARM BELLS!!!!

 The algorithm I presented this week -- the one that helps you calculate the day of the week you were born... It only works for individuals born prior to 2000. So, what I presented will help none of my students and cause frustration. I am sorry; I guess I’m 20^th-century centric. 

 Use the video link way down below to learn how to calculate the day of the week you were born in the 21^st-century. 

 (IMPORTANT NOTE: For the last 45-minutes one of my ELP students and I have grappled with this video and discovered that when you write down the two digits for year for the second time -- the one where you divide by four -- you should not add or include the fraction if there is one.)

 Example:

May 5^th, 2010

A: 2 (the code number for May is “2”)

B: 5 (day of the week)

C: 5 (the code number for the 2000’s is “5”)

D: 10 (last two digits for the birth year)

E: 10/4 (last two digits of birth year divided by 4)

Add the numbers…

2 + 5 + 5 + 10 + 10/4 =

Or better…

2 + 5 + 5 + 10 + 2 ½ = 24 ½

 DISREGARD THE “1/2” or ANY other fraction you might have. Just delete the fraction and use the whole number and divide by 7!

 So…

24 divided by 7 equals 3 r3

 Use the remainder (3) to find the day of the week…

 WEDNESDAY!

 Again, so sorry folks…

 Here’s the YouTube link to the none Mr.B. & ELP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_WqljHsBz0

"It’s Growing Season (…for Icicles!):"

Here's the focus... Try to efficiently grow an icicle. Sounds so simple, right? Well, I took the beatdown on this one; I found it very challenging. I really look forward to seeing what your kiddoes come up with. This project will work for students aged 4 to 104.

Here is the link to this week's extension lesson, "It’s Growing Season (…for Icicles!):"

https://youtu.be/uZbM_M9sRx4

We planned on “growing” dozens of icicles so that we could use them to make some fabulous 3D structures. However, once we got into icicle-making production, we ran into a roadblock. IT’S DIFFICULT TO MAKE ICICLES!!! All of a sudden, we recognized that the project needed to be scaled back to simply growing a single mega icicle. Sounds straightforward, right? Well, the video this week features several failed approaches.

Your challenge is to develop an efficient way to make an icicle. Aim to make an icicle that is at least one-foot long.

ACTION ITEM(S):

1. Grow an icicle. Develop your own clever -- and hopefully more efficient -- way of creating this “cool” formation. Take pictures or video of your creative approach and send me (and Mr. Ben) the photos and/or videos.

2. Take a final photograph of you and your pet icicle and send it to me (and Mr. Ben).

Here is next week's extension lesson, "Top Ten Nonstandard Measurements":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkJOD1ssUiE&feature=youtu.be

This week’s challenge is to find ten items that you can use as nonstandard forms of measurement. For each of your ten items, figure out how many of them would be needed to equal six feet. (Six foot is the suggested measurement between individuals when socially-distancing.) Here is the link to the lesson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkJOD1ssUiE&feature=youtu.be ACTION ITEM: Measure ten strange, unconventional, items in inches. Divide the measurements you’ve collected into 72 inches to find out how many of each item would be needed to equal six feet. List your ten items and the exact number required to equal six feet. (Use the top ten list below as an example of what I'd like you to submit.) Please send lists to me and Mr. Bragonier: benjamin.bragonier@k12northstar.org With the exception of the first item, here are the top ten nonstandard forms of measurement featured in this video: 1. 12” rulers = 6 2. Magic 8-Ball = 18 3. 2 x 2 Rubik’s Cube = 38.4 4. Gallon milk jug = 7.2 5. Menacing-looking rubber rat = 2.88 6. Post-it Note = 36 7. Mr. Kraska = .947368421052632 8. Mr. Arnold = .97297297 9. Toilet plunger = 3.2727272727273

10. Mrs. Chingliak = 1.22033898 You can see that items smaller than six feet will have at least whole number in front of the decimal point. However, items longer than six feet will not have a digit in front of the decimal point. For example, we’d only need 0.073127073 of a northern hemisphere female blue whale to equal 6 feet, but we'd need as many as 3.5 Tonka Trucks or 576.0 fleas to equal the same six-foot distance!

Have fun with this one folks!

Here is the link to this week’s extension lesson, Solitaire 'n' Grids 'n' Lines Oh My!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JrvbPrzV_E

This week's lesson is broken up into three activities. First, there will be an opportunity to develop some math probability. Second, there will be a little bit of, "No…, how can that be?" Last, there will be a little bit of straight-up observation with a touch of visual trickery.

PROJECTS:

1. Count & Deal Solitaire

2. The Checkerboard Paradox

3. The Line Paradox

MATERIALS:

• paper

• ruler

• pencil (a marker might be handy if you have one)

• deck of cards (just 52 cards, and no Jokers)

ACTION ITEM(S):

• Report your solitaire numbers in increments of 10. (Example: 3/10 wins or 0/10 wins)

• Write me (and Mr. Bragonier whose email address is below) a sentence about observations you make when looking at the grid you draw in The Checkerboard Paradox, and the rectangle you later piece together.

• The last project simply presents another opportunity for you to pull the wool over your sibling's eyes. (I cannot confirm or deny that this little bit of visual tricky could be used to your advantage in some clever, "I bet you laundry folding that I can turn these ten lines into nine lines without erasing a single line," kind of way...)

Have fun with these mini-projects. (You’ll all be total pros at using straight edges once you’ve completed these projects!)

It's always good to have a few tricks up your sleeve. And, hopefully by the end of this week your sleeves will be bursting because here's three tricks to master that will probably leave your audience momentarily slack-jawed. Learn how to make “HERE” disappear, learn the mind-boggling mathmagician Three Dice Trick, and learn how to grab something out of nothing.

Here is the lesson link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-EHvQFt_1M

MATERIALS:

• paper

• glue or tape

• tissues

• three dice (not to worry if you don’t have them -- you can just write down three numbers between 1 and 6)

• scissors

• marker, pencil or crayon

This week the lesson is called the “Five-Day Challenge” because I present one puzzle for each day of the school week. It’s as simple as that and it’ll be good for folks between the ages of five and five-hundred. Chances are high that these will be fervently cussed and discussed in homes where the student accepts the challenges.

Here is the link to the extension lesson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkripgNpry8

A challenge per day keeps the cobwebs away (from your brain). This lesson presents five brain-teasing challenges, one for each day of the school week. If you listen to the directions and solve the puzzle following the rules, then move on to the next challenge. Solve one, solve ‘um all! However, the first puzzle is different from the other four. So, if you’d like to know the answer for the first challenge to find out if you got it correct, please email Mr. Bragonier (benjamin.bragonier@k12northstar.org) and he’ll write back as soon as he is able.

Have fun and collaborate with family and friends to work through the Five-Day Challenge!

Here is the lesson link for Iambic Pentameter Quatrains: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLSblyB96j8

This week, students will be introduced to one of the most used poetic styles in human history, iambic pentameter. This will be a great project for all of those comfortable wordsmiths out there. It’ll also be a great low-anxiety project for those students who have a shaky understanding of how to break words down into syllables.

Students might benefit from using the following site to double-check syllable emphasis: https://www.howmanysyllables.com/. Just type a given word into the site and the emphasized syllable in a two-syllable word will show in red.

Students in primary grades should challenge themselves to write one great line of iambic pentameter, and those in the intermediate grades should challenge themselves to compose a full “quatrain” (four-line verse).

It would be so much fun if students used Flipgrid, Screencast-O-Matic or QuickTime to make a video recording of themselves doing a dramatic reading of their work and then upload it to our Google Classroom. Costumes encouraged!!! It's time to don your Elizabethan ruff and embrace your inner Billy Shakespeare!

“Go yee now and commit to embraced embroilment in thine studies of the metered rhythms of the lingua!”

Or…, go give this lesson a try. Have fun. Be dramatic.

This week’s extension lesson will get us all outside to enjoy the beautiful fall colors. A project like this will be equally enjoyed by pre-school students and grandparents of pre-school students. There’s a little something for everyone in this lesson. You’ll learn about (or be reminded of) the basics of photosynthesis, and the presence of four-color pigments found in plants. Using new (or “dusted off”) knowledge, you’ll head outside to find examples of natural colors and then make a creative display to show off how you make smooth color transitions between pigments.

Here is the link to this week’s extension lesson, “Pigments in Transition”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-xXjK8S3Iw

Document your work in two ways before submitting photographs to Mr. Bragonier (benjamin.bragonier@k12northstar.org). Take one photograph that is more documentary showing cutout written labels of the four pigments by the side of your work; please make sure that the pigment labels are placed by their corresponding color. In the second photograph, remove the labels and take a really artsy picture. Think about angles, lighting, vantage points, and surrounding colors. Make a beautiful photograph that brings out the best in your work.

My tip for you: Before making your pigment display, do a Google image search for, “Andy Goldsworthy leaf work.” …totally amazing!

Let’s get outside and take a break from our devices!

"Five Riddles & Five Facts"

"Eye-to-Eye"

Here is the link to the next optional extension lesson:

https://safeyoutube.net/w/2PPV

 This is a lengthy lesson for sure, but it’s packed full of scientific vocabulary and guided drawing. Mr. Bragonier also shows us how to make a simple pop-up page with two folds and one cut. The lesson ends with six eye exercises that will give your ocular muscles a fun workout and keep our eyes healthy during remote learning. I think that any student, K-8, will get something out of this lesson and Mr. Bragonier is appreciative of the fact that different age students will be able to produce work consummate with their grade-level.

 Here’s a “fast-track guide” if you’re not prepared to watch the full hour (he’ll never know that you’re cherry-picking):

• Scientific illustration and vocabulary: start of video to min. 26.11

• Pop-up instruction: min. 26.11 to min. 30:30

• How to draw a realistic eye: min. 30:30 to min. 53:33

• Combining the scientific illustration, realistic drawing, and pop-up: min. 53:33 to min. 55:51

• Exercises to combat eye fatigue: min. 55:51 to end of video

Materials list: paper, pencil, eraser, scissors, glue, and crayons or colored pencils if you have them.

 Please do the classwork that I send you thoughtfully and completely (and submit it to me on time) before you tackle these additional lessons. These extension lessons are not mandatory. I want to send you these lesson links so that you can independently extend your learning, as time and interest permits.

Join Aliy Zirkle and her dogs as they explore "How do Dogs Stay Warm" in a SP Kennel's Husky Homeroom Biscuit.

https://spkennel.com/portfolio/husky-homeroom-biscuit-1/

Join Aliy Zirkle and her dogs as they explore "Science & Dog Anatomy" in Lesson 1 of SP Kennel's Husky Homeroom.

https://spkennel.com/portfolio/husky-homeroom-lesson-one-science-dog-anatomy/

Join Aliy Zirkle and her dogs as they explore "Science & Body Temperature" in Lesson 2 of SP Kennel's Husky Homeroom.

https://spkennel.com/portfolio/fin-husky-homeroom-lesson-two-science-body-temperature/

Join Aliy Zirkle and her dogs as they explore "Alaska Geography" in Lesson 3 of SP Kennel's Husky Homeroom.

https://spkennel.com/portfolio/husky-homeroom-lesson3-alaska-geography/

Join Aliy Zirkle and her dogs as they explore "What's that smell?" in Lesson 4 of SP Kennel's Husky Homeroom.

https://spkennel.com/portfolio/husky-homeroom-lesson-four-whats-that-smell/

Join Aliy Zirkle and her dogs as they explore "Nutrition 1: Dogs" in Lesson 5 of SP Kennel's Husky Homeroom.

https://spkennel.com/portfolio/husky-homeroom-lesson-five-nutrition1-dogs/

Join Aliy Zirkle and her dogs as they explore "Alaska's Cold Winter" in Lesson 6 of SP Kennel's Husky Homeroom.

https://spkennel.com/portfolio/husky-homeroom-lesson-six-alaskas-cold-winter/

Join Aliy Zirkle and her dogs as they explore "Communication Skills" in Lesson 7 of SP Kennel's Husky Homeroom.

https://spkennel.com/portfolio/husky-homeroom-lesson-seven-dog-communication/

Join Aliy Zirkle and her dogs as they explore "Can Dogs Sweat?" in Lesson 8 of SP Kennel's Husky Homeroom.

https://spkennel.com/portfolio/husky-homeroom-lesson-eight-science-and-perspiration/

From JK Rowling and the Wizzarding World of Harry Potter!

"Welcome to the Harry Potter At Home hub where you’ll find all the latest magical treats to keep you occupied - including special contributions from Bloomsbury and Scholastic, nifty magical craft videos (teach your friends how to draw a Niffler!), fun articles, quizzes, puzzles and plenty more for first-time readers, as well as those already familiar with the wizarding world. We’re casting a Banishing Charm on boredom!"

"Everyone’s favorite Book Lady is bringing children and families everywhere just what they need during a time of unrest. Goodnight with Dolly is a 10-week special series of weekly videos featuring Dolly Parton reading select Imagination Library books.

Goodnight with Dolly launches on April 2, with the hope that this gift will further inspire a love of books and shared storytime during this important period. The weekly read-aloud series features several of the Imagination Library’s wonderful books including “The Little Engine That Could.” Watty Piper’s classic tale of a determined little engine has been an inspiration to generations. This year marks the 90th Anniversary of “The Little Engine That Could.” For many years the story has been a source of inspiration for Dolly and it is the welcome book that all newly registered children in the United States and Canada receive when they sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library." - Imagination Library

https://imaginationlibrary.com/goodnight-with-dolly/

Activities, jokes, games, poems and readings from Highlights Magazines.

https://www.highlightskids.com/

Brooklyn Public Library's Virtual Break Out Games!!!

"Are you a young person who likes to solve puzzles? How about uncovering secrets from the past? Think you have what it takes to decode Brooklyn’s most bizarre, thrilling and confounding mysteries? Then your mission, Agents—should you choose to accept it—is to travel back in time to unlock the secrets of four histories through our exciting, virtual breakout games!"

https://www.bklynlibrary.org/event-series/retro-detectives

"Schools are closed
Minds are wide open"

This is a collection of all different types of learning options.  Writing. Reading.  Math.  Science. Live Shows. And much more.

https://wideopenschool.org/

"The show follows the adventures of Xavier Riddle, his sister Yadina, and their friend Brad as they travel back in time to meet real life historical figures when they were kids."

https://alaskapublic.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/xavier-riddle-and-the-secret-museum/

Space!  Zoos! Museums! Farms! Aquariums! National Parks! Cities!  Monuments! So much more!!!  Enjoy!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18-VsQL51GqNUvZ9vUDyf-YDBY2gJf0HW/view

Alaska SeaLife Center Offers Virtual Visits

Our Education Department will present daily live programs on YouTube at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm (AKDT), seven days a week. Visit our Virtual Classroom to learn about Alaska’s marine ecosystem and the Alaskan animals we house. Past programs can be accessed from ASLC’s YouTube channel.

For Information:  https://www.alaskasealife.org/news_item/110

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AKSeaLifeCenter

"We hosted virtual farm tours for students to watch in their classrooms. But, those can be viewed on YouTube now!

For kids aged 4 to 9, watch our tour from Dutch Hollow Farm.

Kids aged 10-13 will enjoy our virtual tour from Will-O-Crest Farm.

High school kids can enjoy our tour from JoBo Holsteins Farm." - American Dairy Association Northeast

https://www.americandairy.com/news-and-events/dairy-diary/dairy-farming/virtual-farm-tours-while-youre-stuck-at-home.stml

Keep your kids active at home with Mr. Ben's Physical Education Classes.  Kid's Online PE Class!

https://www.thealaskaclub.com/online-workouts

Move & Learn at Home With GoNoodle

GoNoodle: Good Energy at Home is a free online resource that provides tons of ways for kids and families to be active, stay mindful, and keep on learning!

https://www.gonoodle.com/good-energy-at-home-kids-games-and-videos/