Posts

Showing posts from June, 2020

Ten Great Dads (of the Animal Kingdom)

In honor of Father's Day, we love to read Eric Carle's Mister Seahorse .  This is a great book about one of the most famous animal dads and some of his lesser known dad friends.  We also enjoyed the most recent Ranger Rick Jr that discussed Seahorses and other awesome animal dads.  So we compiled our own list of the top ten animal dads.  We included several dads that are helpful at birth, but thought the bests dads really ought to be the ones that help after birth as well. 10.  The Giant Water Bug This giant beetle dad has up to 150 eggs cemented on his back.  He dutifully carries those eggs for a few weeks until they hatch.  9.  Seahorses and Some Other Types of Fish Seahorses are a rarity in the animal kingdom as it is the father who gives birth.  But he is not the only doting fish parent, as Eric Carle's book teaches.  There are other fish that carry eggs for the family in a variety of different ways.  Some carry eggs in pouches, while others carry the eggs in their mout

Finding a Balance

This week has been a rough one, so rather than post lesson plans or product reviews, I'd like to take a moment and speak extemporaneously.  I have been feeling many things this week - anger, sadness, anxiety, malaise, and most of all questioning what I can do.  I am proud to have attended Bluffton University, where I learned many things, but most importantly I learned not to do something just because everyone else is doing it, but to do the things I think are right.  One of the first speakers my freshman class heard from talked about Mennonites and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Something so many people are familiar with yet no one really thinks about it.  Kids in classrooms across America say this every morning, yet how many kids actually think about what they are saying.  Do they really believe it and understand the promise they are making.  When I see the flag, I choose to show it respect because I believe in liberty and justice for all and for all those who have lost their lives th

June's Science Minute

How to make your own "Milky" Way Galaxy. Pour some milk in a shallow bowl or saucer.  This works best with any milk other than non-fat.  Add a few drops of liquid water color or liquid food coloring.  Use a toothpick to move the color about as you wish.  The real fun happens when you add a drop or two of liquid dish soap, or put soap on the end of your toothpick.  The fat in the milk is repelled by the soap, so you should get some fun movement in your liquid, swirling about like a galaxy.