Eunoia is the shortest English word containing all five vowels. It comes from the Greek word εὔνοια, meaning “well mind” or “beautiful thinking.”

What is unusual about this paragraph?

A Most Unusual Paragraph

     This is an unusual paragraph. I’m curious as to just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so ordinary and plain that you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching.

• Game of Vowel-less Mammals
• Game of Vowel-less Fruits
• Endless options of Missing Vowel Games

Initial Sentences – Category: Charlotte’s Web

W. a. C. a. t. m. c.
C. u. t. w. S. P. t. d. W.

Scattergories/Scattergories Junior is a fun trivia game that you can play solo or with friends and family. This game keeps the brain active and engaged, while increasing your fluency, flexibility and originality. There are several full versions of the game that are available online or through apps.  Today we will play in school with the following rules.

Objective: As quickly as possible, fill out a category list with answers that begin with the same letter that is chosen for that round.

How to Score Points:

1 point = a word that does not start with that round’s letter
2 points = a word that start’s with that round’s letter
4 points = double letters that start with that round’s letter (ex: bubble bath)
5 points = a word that no one else has

Roll the online dice – Scattergories Dice

Challenge: Play online Swellgarfo Scattergories List

It’s race to make the best word in 60 seconds! Students slide the “Letter Getter” to reveal two letter tiles. The first letter must start the word and the next letter must be the last letter of the word. The player who calls out the first word that meets the criteria wins the tiles. Once all tiles are gone, the player with the most tiles wins the title of “Smart Mouth.”

You can have fun anywhere any time using this online letter generator tool – Random Letter Sequence.

Make your own rules:
1. Play different word lengths.
2. Play categories.
3. Play teams.
4. Try in a different language…yikes!
Have fun stretching your vocabulary!

Dr. Maya Angelou wrote about this book, “The reader is shown that it is a blessing to be a blessing.” When you want to help others, you may never know or see the people that benefit.

Let’s let others know they matter too. We will create origami hearts with the words “YOU MATTER” inside. Leave it in a place for someone to find, and they will discover that you are grateful for him/her.

Heart Origami Challenge – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnV262Egucw

If you have not entered the Origami Challenge, this video might encourage you to start – Engineering with Origami.

Last week’s card challenge encouraged us to use grit! There were many ways to solve the 10 card investigation – work backwards, start small, find a pattern, trial and error. There’s also a program created from the math equation – Order of the Cards.

Today you will need more grit to solve many puzzles. Here’s another reminder.

Do you have the grit to solve today’s problem, The 1-10 Card Investigation.

What I love about this investigation…

1. Do you know how to put numbers in order?
2. Do you need an answer key?
3. Does everyone need to solve it the same way?
4. How will you tackle the task?

Don’t give up.  GRIT is the key to your success.

Explore:

• Use the cards 1-5 to get a grasp on the task.
• Use all the cards A-k and try the same task.
• Vary the task.  Place two cards at the bottom of the pile after each flip.
• You don’t need playing cards.  Create cards with index cards.  Use numbers 1-20.

A rebus is a puzzle device which combines the use of illustrated pictures with individual letters to depict words and/or phrases.   Remember when you needed pictures to help your read a story – When Small is Tall.  Now you need pictures to give you clues to solve puzzles.  Here are two examples:

Let’s have fun practicing, drawing our own and/or generating with a computer – Rebus Generator.

If you are ready for a Rebus with a challenge, harder puzzles have a representation of words or pictures whose names resemble the intended words or syllables.  Here is an example.

The next level of rebus puzzles are sometimes called Word Winks.  These puzzles require you to look at size, location and direction. Try a few online – Rebus Brainteasers.

Enjoy solving rebus puzzles because they can develop your concentration, critical thinking skills and verbal reasoning.

Watch The Bridge to remind yourself how to be a team player. The video will remind you what collaboration looks like and will encourage you to step outside your comfort zone.

Bridge from Ting on Vimeo.

Work with a team on the Chopstick Challenge.  How far can you count?

• Describe your team’s collaboration process.
• Explain the disagreements, the possible results of pride, frustration and compromise.
• Reflect: Post a comment on how you will be a good teammate.
• Challenge: S.C.A.M.P.E.R.

Venn Diagrams are not just for comparing and contrasting. Venn Perplexors are a series of word problems to solve math problems. It’s an unusual way to do algebraic thinking that is great for students who need a challenge.

Here’s an interactive one on PBS Cyberchase game.  Try this interactive board possibility for even, prime and square numbers.

Swish is a fun game that develops thinking skills like logical reasoning and visual perception.