I don’t think we’re in Idaho anymore…
Today we read The Wizard of Oz: El Mago de Oz by Frank Baum and retold/translated by Carol Ottolenghi.
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio.
Our younger students painted sunflowers…
…while our older students worked on a 3D sunflower to print.
Published on: Apr 19, 2020
Kansas
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- Reading List: EPIC Kansas
- Math:
A tiling with squares whose side lengths are successive Fibonacci numbers: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 and 21.
In mathematics, the Fibonacci numbers, commonly denoted Fn, form a sequence, called the Fibonacci sequence, such that each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, starting from 0 and 1. That is,[1]
- {\displaystyle F_{0}=0,\quad F_{1}=1,}
and
- {\displaystyle F_{n}=F_{n-1}+F_{n-2},}
for n > 1.
The beginning of the sequence is thus:
- {\displaystyle 0,\;1,\;1,\;2,\;3,\;5,\;8,\;13,\;21,\;34,\;55,\;89,\;144,\;\ldots }
Don’t worry my strong suit is not math. I have never been able to fully understand Fibonacci numbers. I however, love to think of the perfection of a sunflower.
Kansas is called the Sunflower State. Sunflowers are a wonderful way to teach your kids about math. You do not need to teach them about the Fibonacci Sequence, it may be a bit much for younger children but you could have them learn to count by different sequences. Count by 2s, 4s, 5s, 10s. Find an age appropriate sequence to count with and use a sunflower and it’s perfection to show them the wonder of the sequence.
Plants can grow new cells in spirals, such as the pattern of seeds in this beautiful sunflower.
The spiral happens naturally because each new cell is formed after a turn.
“New cell, then turn,
then another cell, then turn, …”
So, next time you are walking in the garden, look for the Golden Angle,
and count petals and leaves to find Fibonacci Numbers,
and discover how clever the plants are … !
3. Science:
The Science Museum in Wichita called Exploration Place is closed because of CoronaVirus, but they are active on their YouTube Channel. Explore some of their science videos. #StayAtHomeSTEM
4. History: Trading Cards
Discover more about people with Kansas connections, well-known, lesser known, and infamous. Their stories contribute to the state’s rich history. Have each member of your family go to Kansas Trading Cards and pick 6 cards and print them. )If you do not have a printer just write down the information.) Come back together and trade them. Trade cards: 1. People the same age 2. Famous women in Kansas 3. Kansas politicians 4. People in Agriculture 5. Mak up several categories of your own prior to picking.
5. Writing: Wizard of OZ
The story Wizard of Oz chronicles the adventures of a young farm girl named Dorothy in the magical Land of Oz, after she and her pet dog, Toto are swept up. up and away from their Kansas home by a Cyclone. The book is one of the best-known stories in American literature and has been widely translated. The Library of Congress has declared it “America’s greatest and best-loved homegrown fairytale.”
Write your own tale of a magical land. Does it have witches? What color is the road? Do you get to bring your pet with you? Is there people in your new land? Create a short story of a magical land.
6. Art: Sunflower Art
It is time to have fun. You may not know, but the Donnelly Public Library has a Pinterest page. We have created a board of Sunflower Crafts just for you. Create one of the crafts on the page. Remember to snap a picture and have your parents post it. #CensusArt (811) Pinterest
7. Book Pick: Well, of course I am going to choose The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Grab another L. Frank Baum Book and tell me about your adventure.
Bonus: ARSL
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Inc. is a network of persons throughout the country dedicated to the positive growth and development of libraries. ARSL believes in the value of rural and small libraries and strives to create resources and services that address national, state, and local priorities for libraries situated in rural communities.
This year in the fall the annual conference for ARSL is in Wichita, Kansas. Your bonus today is to check out the ARSL social media. ARSL Twitter