Seeing Spots 3

Spotted Pigs, and even those that aren’t, are friendly creatures who communicate with each other constantly and love to snuggle nose to nose when they sleep. Contrary to popular belief, pigs don’t really “pig out” when they eat. Instead, they prefer to chew slowly and savor their food. They are extremely intelligent and have been known to find their way home over surprisingly long distances. They easily learn tasks and tricks but would rather spend their days playing with friends.

Aside from delightful spots that tend to fade a bit with age, another distinguishing characteristic of Leopard Geckos is that they have eyelids, whereas, most reptiles do not – not even other geckos! Curious and friendly, Leopard geckos can be interesting pets that can live for 20 years if they’re treated well. In the wild, they survive on insects such as scorpions and spiders, but have been known to sample anything their powerful little jaws can chew to swallowing size.

As the world’s tallest living land animal, Giraffes are often called ‘Gentle Giants’ of the dry savannahs they call home. In addition to their sky-high advantage in looking out for encroaching predators, their exceptional eyesight allows them to see and choose the very best leaves to eat from the treetops. Giraffes are highly sociable and travel in groups of a dozen or more, appropriately called ‘Towers’, and once again, their lofty vantagepoint comes in handy if a member of the group ever gets lost. Because, just like most people, giraffes don’t like to be alone.

In fact, there’s an uplifting new (young reader) book due to release this summer about new friends in new places and a giraffe named “Geraldine”, by Elizabeth Lilly.

For middle grade readers “The Boy, the Boat and the Beast”, by Samantha M. Clark will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last enthralling page is turned!

So, what’s on your summer Bucket List? Will you read 100 books? Learn a new language? Hike a new canyon, or try a new activity? If you’re wondering what to do, here’s an idea I’m sure you won’t regret:  Chelsea Kay

Happy Summer!

Seeing Spots 2

Better known as Firehouse mascots, Dalmation dogs are easily identified by their spots (even in their mouths!), though they are born without any.  It takes about 4 weeks for spots to appear on their little snow-white bodies.  Dalmations are excellent companions for hunters, or as trail hounds, and are energetic retrievers with exceptional memories. While a great many Dalmations can’t hear very well, their good looks and friendly personalities keep them in spotlights such as circus acts, movies and TV commercials. You might never guess that coaching is their favorite thing to do as they run alongside teams of horses pulling coaches. They’re quite good at keeping stray dogs and other obstacles away. And it’s easy to see that Dalmations are very good friends with horses, such as the Appaloosa.

Definitely show-worthy horses and one of the most popular breed in the US (State horse of Idaho), Appaloosas have appeared in old Western movies, cartoons for children, and TV commercials. Their vision is not good at night but that has not stopped the beautiful Appaloosas from racing and even winning in Kentucky Derby races.

While they might not win any races, Spotted Turtles are incredibly active during the day and their shiny black shells with bright yellow spots (females have yellow chins!) are always amazing to look at. The Spotted Turtle can be found in swampy regions of Florida and similar areas in Canada. They enjoy foraging in leaves on land sometimes, though most of their hunting is done underwater where swamp mud is also a great place to hide from predators or when hibernating.

Are you seeing spots at your house?

Happy Trails for 2017!

It’s International Wayfinding Month!  A global celebration of all the handy tools and signs we use every single day to help us find our way.

Even before we had cities and cars, people made markings (petroglyphics) on cave walls and canyon passes to show new travelers what to expect, for instance animals – or warriors (eep!).

 Many of the signs we use today are quite clever

And a few are a little confusing

Before the invention of the compass, people generally relied upon the sun, the stars or landmarks seen from ships at sea for navigation. On land it is well known that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. However, due to seasonal changes in latitude which occur during summer and winter, travelers can become quite lost if they don’t know which pole (North or South) is currently pointing to the sun. And what if you happen to be lost on a cloudy day? No worries with a trusty compass!

Has there ever been a time you could have used a handy tool or sign? Which one helped you find your way?

The Buzz of Busy Minds

"In summer, the song sings itself"  ~ William Carlos Williams

 

How has your summer been? Knowing how summer can seem like a long time if you’re bored, I thought you might like to see how some brilliant young minds kept busy over the years:

A 14 year old farm boy named Philo Farnsworth made the breakthrough discovery of how electron beams could instantly transmit images, and while he wasn’t the only person with the idea, Farnsworth held the first patent for the invention of television.

In 1959, High school student Robert Heft received a B minus on his class project of a flag with 50 stars. When his teacher promised a higher grade if he could get congress to accept his idea, his grade was changed to an A and America had a new flag! Later, Robert Heft made sure he visited every single state in America.

Blind since age 3, Louis Braille knew by the time he was 15 years old that there needed to be something better than trying to read 20 pound books with large raised letters. That’s when he developed the system that enables blind people to read and write by touching raised dots. Today, the Braille system is used worldwide.

In the thirties, two teenagers, Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel invented the very first Superman comic and self-published it in a Fanzine when syndicates wouldn’t accept it. It soon became wildly popular and was one of the most famous programs in the golden age of radio.

What would you invent? How many states have you been to? Do you read comic books?

Fiddlesticks and Indoor Picnics

She had peeked out the window before he could stop her. Letting the curtain drop, she turned in disgust. “Fiddlesticks!” she said as thunder rumbled outside.

It had been raining since before dawn and showed no sign of stopping. Creek knew his mom had planned for the 4^th of July picnic for over a month. She was happy when she planned things and he liked her that way best. 

“I’m going back to bed. “ 

“No! Wait, “Creek tried to think of something fast “Someone still might come!” he knew they all would come, but he wanted to surprise her when they did. 

“No one will come in the rain, Creek,”

“It’s the 4^th of July, mama. Someone still might come,” he took a large bowl of potato salad from the fridge and walked toward the grand old dining room they never seemed to use anymore. 

“Where are you going with that?” she followed Creek into the next room and gasped.

While she’d been getting ready, Creek had put every leaf in the table and dragged in as many small tables and chairs from outside as time allowed before Mama had gone and peeked out the window. For a moment he was afraid she would turn and go upstairs, but as he lit a candle in her favorite centerpiece, Creek saw his mama’s eyes light up as well. When she smiled at him his heart soared.

“I guess you and I could still celebrate,” mama said softly

“Oh yessum! A little rain won’t take away our pride or joy for our country and our freedom, right mama?”

“Right,” mama chewed her bottom lip to keep it from quivering.

Creek could tell she was thinking she didn’t want to celebrate without his dad. But his dad had left a year ago and loyal little Creek was still here. He was wondering what to say when the doorbell rang.

Mama raised an eyebrow “Are you expecting someone?”

“Yes Ma’am! We both are!” Creek raced to the door

Soon, people were pouring through the front door faster than rain on the roof! They brought steaming bowls and brimming baskets, hugs and beaming smiles – and best, oh best of all, was that mama wore one all day!

dee Kay

National Independence Day – July 4^th

We all know what this celebration is for, right?

The 4^th of July is a yearly celebration of the 1776 signing; by all thirteen colonies, of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain rule.  We came to build or own country – and that’s exactly what we did!

One California fifth-grader says “The fourth of July is simple: We are free.” 

But have you heard of this one?

National Work Without your Hands Day – July 5^th

It’s a tough one.

Could you push a long broom with the point of your nose?

Or pick up your socks using only your toes?

Could you rake up the leaves in the yard with your tongue?

Hold a leash in your mouth when the dog wants to run?

How would you work without your hands?

USA Angel Food Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 (21 oz.) can of blueberry pie filling
• 1/2 C of maraschino cherries, drained and cut in half
• 2 firm bananas, sliced
• 1 prepared Angel food cake

Preparation:

1. Place the pie filling into a large mixing bowl.
2. Gently fold the cherries and bananas into the pie filling.
3. Carefully spread the mixture over the cake.

Makes 8 servings

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Total Time: approximately 15 minutes

  apples4theteacher.com