Thursday, May 3, 2018
10: 30 - 11:00; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
The Water Hole -
Jayne and I started reading the Graham Base book: The Water Hole. The story tells of an increasing number (from one to ten) of animals seeking water at the local water hole. Each page sets the water hole in a different continent or ecosystem. Each image includes a list of animals hidden in the artwork; all indigenous species to the represented continent. As we progressed through the numbers, the water hole is shrinking! We did not finish the book, and we both are curious as to what will happen next.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
10: 30 - 11:00; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
Observations -
Jayne and I examined a series of images and she was tasked with finding several items in the image. I explained how scientists have keen observational skills, and she had demonstrated this in the previous classwork. This assignment was more challenging and she was required to focus on clues in the images.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
1: 45 - 2:30; 45 min. -
Science Enrichment:
National Geographic News -
Jayne has a new edition on National Geographic for kids. This edition was dedicated to biodiversity. She showed me the images she like the least. One image was of a pelican with a beak full of plastic trash. We discussed how plastics get into the environment, and how we can prevent such a situation. We examined several kinds of plastic and discussed how they could be recycled. We also discussed how she is using her recycling bin.
Thursday, April 19, 2018
10: 30 - 11:00; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
Animal Homes -
Jayne and I examined the final in the nature search book series. This edition was about the various homes of animals from various ecosystems. I again explained that the ecosystems in the world are each unique and the plants and animals must make homes in some extreme conditions. This book has drawings of the homes of the plants and animals found in different types of habitats. Jayne was tasked with finding nests, eggs, burrows, and infant animals that were hidden in the image, and we discussed some that were not hidden. The book comes with a magnifying glass to assist in the search. There were chapters where two nearly identical images were given, and Jayne found what was not the same in the images, and she also worked through a maze presented, as the path an ant should take to visit the queen and then escape a termite mound, without being consumed by a predator including a termite.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
10: 30 - 11:00; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
Grassland Habitats -
Jayne and I examined the nature search book about the grassland habitats. I again explained that there are ecosystems in the world that are unique and each has their own plant and animal residents. This book has drawings of the plants and animals found at different types of grassland habitats. Jayne was tasked with finding several animals that were hidden in the image, and we discussed some that were not hidden. The book comes with a magnifying glass to assist in the search. There were chapters where two nearly identical images were given, and Jayne found what was not the same in the images, and she also worked through a maze presented, as the path a long horn sheep should take to join up with it’s mate, without falling from the rocks.
We learned that the nervous system senses surroundings and communicates information within the body. The nervous system is made of tiny structures called nerve cells and chains of these make up nerves which carry information to and from the brain. The brain is like a computer processing information from millions of nerve cells working together. The spinal cord is a rope-like bundle of nerves that runs along the backbone. It’s like the main pathway for information. Nerves connect to the spinal cord from all over the body. Some nerves send information to the brain and others receive signals from the brain.
Assignment: Add information and graphics about the nervous system to our science notebook.
We learned about the integumentary system which is made up of toenails, fingernails, hair, and the largest organ in the body, the skin. We learned that blood vessels near the surface of the skin help cool your blood and that hair helps keep your head warm. Some of the functions of skin are to protect from germs and keep water inside. We learned that friction ridges are the circles on your fingertips which are more sensitive to touch then other places on your body. Next we learned that the epidermis is the outer skin and dermis is the inner skin layer that contains hair follicles, sweat glands, blood vessels, and nerve endings.
Assignment: Add notes on integumentary system and fingerprints to the science notebook.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
10: 30 - 11:00; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
Underwater Habitats -
Jayne and I examined the nature search book about the underwater habitats. I again explained that there are ecosystems in the world that are unique and each has their own plant and animal residents. This book has drawings of the plants and animals found at different types of underwater habitats. Jayne was tasked with finding several animals that were hidden in the image, and we discussed some that were not hidden. The book comes with a magnifying glass to assist in the search. There were chapters where two nearly identical images were given, and Jayne found what was not the same in the images, and she also worked through a maze presented, as the path an eel should take to join up with the eel school, without getting caught in the Sargasso seaweed.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
10: 30 - 11:00; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
Wetlands -
Jayne and I examined the nature search book about the wetlands. I again explained that there are ecosystems in the world that are unique and each has their own plant and animal residents. This book has drawings of the plants and animals found at different types of wetlands. Jayne was tasked with finding several animals that were hidden in the image, and we discussed some that were not hidden. The book comes with a magnifying glass to assist in the search. There were chapters where two nearly identical images were given, and Jayne found what was not the same in the images, and she also worked through a maze presented, as the path a mother lemming should take to get back to her den without drowning in the wetland.
