I have a site that I want to share with all of you that just can't wait for next week's posting! "Make-a-Flake" is a site that allows you to create your own virtual snowflake. (If you don't have Flash capabilities on your computer, the initial screen should ask you to download Flash 6 before you can utilize the program; if you do have Flash, you can click where it says "If you are sure you have the Flash 6 plugin, click here" and it will take you into the site.)
Once you open the site, you should see a blurred window with snowflakes falling. On the right are three choices - Make your own Snowflake; Visit the Gallery; or Tell a Friend. A good place to start is to visit the gallery where you can view snowflakes that have been created by others. The date the snowflake was created will show underneath each entry and you can see previous entries by using the arrows at the bottom of the screen. Clicking "Make-a-Flake" will take you back to the initial screen.
To create your own, click "Make your own Snowflake". An initial piece of paper will be folded and cut right in front of you. If you move your mouse over the triangular piece of paper, a pair of scissors will appear. If the scissors show a red dot, where you have them located will not cut - move the scissors until the dot appears gray-blue. Then you can cut! Clicking once on the mouse will mark the initial cut. Move the mouse and click in another spot and that will make the second cut. Move the mouse and click in another spot and that will make the third cut and so forth and so on. Keep making cuts however you wish until you are finished. If you make a mistake you can always click the Undo / Redo on the left of the screen. You can also click Start Over in case you want to begin from a clean sheet of paper.
Once you have your snowflake cuts completed, click on Preview Flake. You flake will show on the screen and some new choices become available - Cut some more and Save My Flake. If you aren't satisfied and want to cut some more, click that choice. If you are satisfied and want to save your snowflake to the database, click Save My Flake. Enter a name (it can be just a first name or a nickname - these names do not show later) and click Submit. Once you do that, you will be given your snowflake's # and you can either email your flake to a friend or download your flake for later viewing or use.
Some of the snowflakes created are very elaborate and some are very simple. I can see this being used with younger students just as a fun activity this winter, but it could also be used with older students, if used along with an explanation of angles and cuts (geometry) and how they make the snowflake appear.
Have fun creating your own snowflake and don't forget to share! Feel free to e-mail me your creation so I can see your work - melissa.earnest@caldwell.kyschools.us.
