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Computer Capers

Fun K-8 home/school activities that reinforce Indiana Academic Standards using computers to encourage students to draw, research, calculate and express! Though we have discontinued the monthly Computer Capers publication, sign-up for our email list to receive notification of upcoming grants and workshops.

What's the Scoop?....Delicious Data

Summer is a great time to enjoy a big scoop of your favorite ice cream. What is your favorite?...Your family and friends favorite? Do a survey of at least ten family members or friends and record your results in a spreadsheet. Can you make a bar graph out of the data? Using the graph, answer the following questions:

• What was the most popular flavor?...least popular?
• Did any flavors have the same number of votes?
• Is there a flavor that surprised you by either being on the list or not being on the list?
• Where did your favorite flavor rank?

Challenge: Use a drawing program to make a pictograph of your data. Create the graph so that each of the "bars" in your original work now look like a ice cream cone with the number of scoops on each cone relating to the number of votes it received. Hint: draw your "scoop" of ice cream and copy and paste it on each cone the appropriate number of times.

Other Ideas for Gathering and Graphing Data:

• Do you like soft serve or hard scoops?
• Do you like it on a cone or in a cup?
• What is your favorite topping?

Indiana Academic Standards

Grade Level 3-5

Mathematics - Data Analysis

Firefly Findings

Did you know that the summer light shows that you see are performed by male fireflies? Or that a firefly is not a fly but part of the beetle family? To learn more about these amazing critters do a Yahooligans search for "firefly." What new things did you learn about them? After you know a little bit more about them through reading, why not learn about them through observation? Begin by gently collecting some fireflies in a jar that has plenty of air supply (have an adult help you put holes in the top of a jar). Now observe the jar for five minutes. Keep track of the number of flashes you see and record that in a database. The database fields may include: Date, Time, # of fireflies, # of flashes, Written Observations. Now gently release your fireflies in the same place you captured them. About an hour later go back to the same area and capture some fireflies again. Observe and record again for five minutes. Do you notice any change? Why or why not? Have fun adding to your database by continuing to collect data throughout your summer. What did you learn from your "flashy" findings?

Indiana Academic Standards

Grade Level 3-5

Science - Common Themes

Internet Extensions

Yahoo Kids

http://kids.yahoo.com/
Use this search engine to discover more information about fireflies.

Summer Fun Schedule

Forget about the lazy days of summer and take this summer head-on with a plan for fun. As a family, sit down at the computer and make a checklist of all the places you'd like to go and activities you would like to do during the summer. What places would you like to explore? What kinds of games would you like to play? Is there a special book you want to make sure you read or an art project to complete? You may even want to contact local libraries, parks and museums for a schedule of their special events. Write all the ideas down on your list. Be sure to capitalize all the proper nouns (names of special places and the people involved) and check for correct spelling. Once your list is complete add some "summer-themed" clip art and print out your page. Place the checklist on your refrigerator or bulletin board and be sure to check it often. You might even get out your calendar each week and plan what items you want to check off! You'll be surprised at how quickly summer flies by when you're having fun!

Indiana Academic Standards

Grade Level K-2

English/Language Arts - Writing Conventions

English/Language Arts - Writing Process