sMiLeS,
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
17-month-old twins...
L♥ve it!
Oh, and my twins are 13. Sometimes I think they still sound like this, haha! =D
They do get along great, though.
sMiLeS,
Oh, and my twins are 13. Sometimes I think they still sound like this, haha! =D
They do get along great, though.
sMiLeS,
Monday, March 28, 2011
Biology, Module 11, The Invertebrates of Kingdom Animalia
Quizlet Vocabulary Game, M11
Videos, etc, for M11
In this module, we learned about animals that have no backbone - li'l squishy fellas! =)
Some not so squishy, and some protected by an exoskeleton to protect their squishy li'l body.
Well... some invertebrates have a big squishy body.
Exo- like exit - gives you an idea that the exoskeleton must be on the outside. And it is! Insects have an exoskeleton to protect them. That is why they crunch if you step on 'em! (ugh!)
Other invertebrates are worms, snails, crayfish (crawdads), shrimp, and more.
In the kingdom Animalia, there are way more invertebrates than there are vertebrates. In fact, all the phyla in kingdom Animalia except one are invertebrates! That's quite a few!
We also learned whether these various organisms had radial symmetry, bilateral symmetry, or spherical symmetry.
Phylum Porifera: The Sponges
What? A sponge is alive?
Yes! It meets the 4 criteria for life.
Though they're animals and not plants, they can't think; they have no internal organs, no blood, no eyes, or ears, but can reproduce, digest food, and protect themselves.
If you have a sponge from the ocean, it is no longer living. It would need to stay in the ocean in its environment to be able to eat and stay alive.
♦ See more beautiful sea sponges.
The name of this phylum, Porifera, makes me think of perforate. Something that is perforated has holes, and so do sponges. That's how I can remember that sponges are in phylum Porifera. =)
Sponges have no symmetry.
Phylum Cnidaria
Jellyfish, sea anemones, coral, hydra...
What is a hydra? See that picture up there? Picture a? That is a hydra. It has radial symmetry. A jellyfish also has radial symmetry. So does a sea anemone. You know, the plant-looking thing in the ocean (that is not a plant) on Finding Nemo.
All members of this phylum have radial symmetry. They have tentacles which catch prey by releasing nematocysts, small capsules that contain a toxin that is injected into prey or predators.
This toxin can cause stinging or even paralysis.
The hydra's nematocysts are triggered by a pressure-sensitive device, but those of the sea anemone are not. The sea anemone will only sting if it senses a specific chemical. That is why it does not sting the clownfish that lives within and near it.
The nematocysts in some jellyfish are very toxic, and can even be fatal, like the box jellyfish.
I have seen jellyfish before in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It was so warm and we loved it, but because of the mild stings of the softball sized jellyfish, my friend and I didn't stay in long.
Some jellyfish are quite large, and look kind of scary!
Phylum Annelida
Who comes up with these names anyway?
Phylum Annelida has only one kind of worm, the segmented worm.
So right away, you may think of an earthworm. Yes, that is the most common and familiar type of segmented worm. Another one is the leech. Also, among the segmented worms is a Christmas tree worm and even a feather-duster worm!
We aren't doing any dissections this year, but we did study the innards of the earthworm, and even looked at some really clear pictures online.
All these have bilateral symmetry.
Phylum Platyhelminthes: The Planarian
A planarian is more commonly called a flatworm. It's not exactly flat, but it isn't shaped like a cylinder like most other worms. The most amazing thing about planarians is their ability to reproduce not only sexually, but asexually by regeneration. They tear themselves apart on purpose in order to do this! The two halves will then regenerate its missing half to make two complete planarians.
Other worms in this phylum are tapeworms and flukes. All these have bilateral symmetry.
Phylum Nematoda
These are often called round worms. They are not round like a ball, but their bodies are cylinder-shaped, but are much smaller than segmented worms. The members of phylum Nematoda have bilateral symmetry. These kinds of worms are found in many different environments. Many are parasitic, and can cause diseases and permanent damage to organs. In some cases, they are fatal.
Phylum Mollusca
Sounds like mollusks, doesn't it? That gives you a clue about this phylum. There are many organisms in this phylum, including mollusks, clams, snails, oysters, and squid.
They have several mutual characteristics, the most common being a shell. We studied the snail and learned that is has one foot! I would never have called the part of the snail that is used for movement a foot.
Who knew that invertebrates were so diverse?
God is indeed the Creator of all things.
sMiLeS,
Videos, etc, for M11
In this module, we learned about animals that have no backbone - li'l squishy fellas! =)
Some not so squishy, and some protected by an exoskeleton to protect their squishy li'l body.
Well... some invertebrates have a big squishy body.
Exo- like exit - gives you an idea that the exoskeleton must be on the outside. And it is! Insects have an exoskeleton to protect them. That is why they crunch if you step on 'em! (ugh!)
Other invertebrates are worms, snails, crayfish (crawdads), shrimp, and more.
In the kingdom Animalia, there are way more invertebrates than there are vertebrates. In fact, all the phyla in kingdom Animalia except one are invertebrates! That's quite a few!
We also learned whether these various organisms had radial symmetry, bilateral symmetry, or spherical symmetry.
- Spherical symmetry is when an organism can be cut into two identical halves by any cut that runs through its center. A ball has spherical symmetry. That's easy, right?
- Radial symmetry is when an organism can be cut into two identical halves by any longitudinal cut through its center. This might be from the top, any cut. Like an oatmeal box can be cut from the top by any cut, front to back, right to left, or diagonal, etc., running straight down through the center.
- Bilateral symmetry is when an organism can be cut into two identical halves by a single longitudinal cut (only one option, not "any longitudinal cut" as in radial symmetry) along its center which divides it into right and left halves.
Phylum Porifera: The SpongesWhat? A sponge is alive?
Yes! It meets the 4 criteria for life.
Though they're animals and not plants, they can't think; they have no internal organs, no blood, no eyes, or ears, but can reproduce, digest food, and protect themselves.
If you have a sponge from the ocean, it is no longer living. It would need to stay in the ocean in its environment to be able to eat and stay alive.
♦ See more beautiful sea sponges.
The name of this phylum, Porifera, makes me think of perforate. Something that is perforated has holes, and so do sponges. That's how I can remember that sponges are in phylum Porifera. =)
Sponges have no symmetry.
Phylum Cnidaria
 |
| sea anemone |
What is a hydra? See that picture up there? Picture a? That is a hydra. It has radial symmetry. A jellyfish also has radial symmetry. So does a sea anemone. You know, the plant-looking thing in the ocean (that is not a plant) on Finding Nemo.
All members of this phylum have radial symmetry. They have tentacles which catch prey by releasing nematocysts, small capsules that contain a toxin that is injected into prey or predators.
This toxin can cause stinging or even paralysis.
The hydra's nematocysts are triggered by a pressure-sensitive device, but those of the sea anemone are not. The sea anemone will only sting if it senses a specific chemical. That is why it does not sting the clownfish that lives within and near it.
The nematocysts in some jellyfish are very toxic, and can even be fatal, like the box jellyfish.
I have seen jellyfish before in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It was so warm and we loved it, but because of the mild stings of the softball sized jellyfish, my friend and I didn't stay in long.
Some jellyfish are quite large, and look kind of scary!
Phylum Annelida
 |
| Feather-Duster worm |
Phylum Annelida has only one kind of worm, the segmented worm.
So right away, you may think of an earthworm. Yes, that is the most common and familiar type of segmented worm. Another one is the leech. Also, among the segmented worms is a Christmas tree worm and even a feather-duster worm!
We aren't doing any dissections this year, but we did study the innards of the earthworm, and even looked at some really clear pictures online.
All these have bilateral symmetry.
Phylum Platyhelminthes: The Planarian
A planarian is more commonly called a flatworm. It's not exactly flat, but it isn't shaped like a cylinder like most other worms. The most amazing thing about planarians is their ability to reproduce not only sexually, but asexually by regeneration. They tear themselves apart on purpose in order to do this! The two halves will then regenerate its missing half to make two complete planarians.
Other worms in this phylum are tapeworms and flukes. All these have bilateral symmetry.
Phylum Nematoda
These are often called round worms. They are not round like a ball, but their bodies are cylinder-shaped, but are much smaller than segmented worms. The members of phylum Nematoda have bilateral symmetry. These kinds of worms are found in many different environments. Many are parasitic, and can cause diseases and permanent damage to organs. In some cases, they are fatal.
Phylum Mollusca
They have several mutual characteristics, the most common being a shell. We studied the snail and learned that is has one foot! I would never have called the part of the snail that is used for movement a foot.
Who knew that invertebrates were so diverse?
God is indeed the Creator of all things.
sMiLeS,
Saturday, March 26, 2011
My Favorite Block of Wood
My Dad made me this block of wood when I began homeschooling 12 years ago.
It is a very useful 8 x 5.5 x 1.5 block of wood.
This is what it can do:
Isn't my Dad really smart!?! =)
The block of wood, the clipboard, and the dry erase board all store neatly on a bookshelf.
I have a rolling bookshelf that I pull over to the table during lesson planning or during school, so it's handy to grab my block of wood at any time I need it.
In case you are interested:
►I got my dry erase board at dryerase.com. I've had it for about 10 years, I think. Check out the FAQ's!
►Here's how to solve that algebra problem (videos #1, 2, & 3 teach Solving by Graphing).
►The block of wood measures 8 x 5.5 inches. It is about 1.5 inches thick. The back of the slot is about 1.25 inches from the edge and is about 3/16 of an inch wide. It's at a 70º angle. (or 110º, depending on which way you look at it.)
At the front of the slot, there is a little of the edge cut off so the top of the opening is wider, making it easier to slide in the board.
Several years before he gave me mine, my Dad had made a bunch of these blocks of wood when my Mom was teaching a computer class at the Christian school I had attended. She used the blocks of wood and clipboards to hold a brief typing assignment the students had to do immediately upon entering class. I think it was usually something like a verse from Proverbs and an inspirational saying. After being typed, it had to be printed with their name on it and placed in their folder. No goofing off; just straight to their assignment. If all assignments (not just the initial typing one) for the week were in their folders and accounted for, on Friday there was some free time for games.
My Mom is smart, too! =)
sMiLeS,
It is a very useful 8 x 5.5 x 1.5 block of wood.
This is what it can do:
 |
| For kids to copy and label. |
 |
| Yes, I used a ruler. =D |
 |
| The dry erase board props up books so kids can copy & label drawings. |
Isn't my Dad really smart!?! =)
The block of wood, the clipboard, and the dry erase board all store neatly on a bookshelf.
I have a rolling bookshelf that I pull over to the table during lesson planning or during school, so it's handy to grab my block of wood at any time I need it.
In case you are interested:
►I got my dry erase board at dryerase.com. I've had it for about 10 years, I think. Check out the FAQ's!
►Here's how to solve that algebra problem (videos #1, 2, & 3 teach Solving by Graphing).►The block of wood measures 8 x 5.5 inches. It is about 1.5 inches thick. The back of the slot is about 1.25 inches from the edge and is about 3/16 of an inch wide. It's at a 70º angle. (or 110º, depending on which way you look at it.)
At the front of the slot, there is a little of the edge cut off so the top of the opening is wider, making it easier to slide in the board.
Several years before he gave me mine, my Dad had made a bunch of these blocks of wood when my Mom was teaching a computer class at the Christian school I had attended. She used the blocks of wood and clipboards to hold a brief typing assignment the students had to do immediately upon entering class. I think it was usually something like a verse from Proverbs and an inspirational saying. After being typed, it had to be printed with their name on it and placed in their folder. No goofing off; just straight to their assignment. If all assignments (not just the initial typing one) for the week were in their folders and accounted for, on Friday there was some free time for games.
My Mom is smart, too! =)
sMiLeS,
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Homeschooler's Resources on facebook
Each time I post to Homeschooler's Resources, I'll also post the link on facebook.
sMiLeS,
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Gymnopédie No. 1
JohnDavid is learning to play this song. =) It is on our keyboard, and the beginning sounds like the theme from the movie Up. He heard it and started learning to play it. His piano teacher found out, and since we have the music book that came with our keyboard, she has assigned it to him. He is doing a pretty awesome job! I'll have to sneak and video him after he learns the rest of it. =D
Gymnopédie No. 1, the first of the three Gymnopédies compositions written in 1888 by French
composer and pianist, Erik Satie (1866-1925).
sMiLeS,
Gymnopédie No. 1, the first of the three Gymnopédies compositions written in 1888 by French
composer and pianist, Erik Satie (1866-1925).
sMiLeS,
Monday, March 14, 2011
Happy Pi Day!
3.14 Pi
Would you share some Pi with me? =)
Pi (3.14) is used to find the circumference or area of a circle.
Pie is round, like a circle, but Pi are square. πr²
To find the area of a circle, use πr² (3.14 x radius x radius).
To find the circumference of a circle, use πd (3.14 x diameter).
The original recipe for Pi is 22/7, and no one has ever found the last digit of pi. So it is an irrational number.
But an extremely smart person might be alleged to have discovered the last digit of Pi! =)
Here is just a small slice of Pi.
3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510582097494459230781...
But that's not the whole Pi!
To see more Pi, like the first 100,000 digits, click here.
Here's the history of making Pi.
Playing with Pi -- what it sounds like:
►Explanation by Lars Erickson who composed and performed the Pi Symphony in 1992.
How Lars Erickson perfected his Pi in calculus class.
Don't worry, there is plenty of yummy Pi to go around.
No one has ever gotten the last slice yet. =D
sMiLeS,
Friday, March 11, 2011
My daughter's Biology book...
Hee hee! This is what I found in Rebekah's Biology book.
I guess we can safely say she will not be taking Advanced Biology or Marine Biology...
Oh, and I have no more Post-it Notes left, either.
sMiLeS,
I guess we can safely say she will not be taking Advanced Biology or Marine Biology...
Oh, and I have no more Post-it Notes left, either.
sMiLeS,
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Biology, Module 10, Ecology
Quizlet Vocabulary Game, M10
Videos, etc, for M10
Ecology is "the scientific study of the relation of living organisms with each other and their surroundings." Plants (producers) supply food for animals (consumers). There are primary consumers that only eat plants, secondary consumers that eat the animals that eat plants, and tertiary consumers that eat animals that eat other animals.
You may remember that all food chains begin with a green plant.
Well, there are also food webs. A food web, when drawn on a diagram, looks just like that -- a web. Some animals can be more than one type of consumer. A hawk is a tertiary consumer because it will eat a snake that eats mice. But a hawk is also a secondary consumer because it will also eat mice.
We had planned to do a food web in class (I was gonna copy Michelle), and everyone was bringing stuffed animals that belonged to their younger siblings. But due to illness (mine), we were unable to meet, and I had the kids do their own food webs at home and send me pictures.
I thought this was a clever use of a little sister's toys!
Animals and plants in a certain environment make up an ecosystem. An ecosystem is categorized by climate, animals, and plant life.
We learned about different kinds of symmetry, and I had also planned to copy Michelle in this fun experiment, We Are Not Created Equal, but we didn't get to have our class. (I rely on her posts, can you tell???) =)
I guess I could always use photos I already have and bisect my student's faces, lol. =D
sMiLeS,
Videos, etc, for M10
Ecology is "the scientific study of the relation of living organisms with each other and their surroundings." Plants (producers) supply food for animals (consumers). There are primary consumers that only eat plants, secondary consumers that eat the animals that eat plants, and tertiary consumers that eat animals that eat other animals.
You may remember that all food chains begin with a green plant.
Well, there are also food webs. A food web, when drawn on a diagram, looks just like that -- a web. Some animals can be more than one type of consumer. A hawk is a tertiary consumer because it will eat a snake that eats mice. But a hawk is also a secondary consumer because it will also eat mice.
We had planned to do a food web in class (I was gonna copy Michelle), and everyone was bringing stuffed animals that belonged to their younger siblings. But due to illness (mine), we were unable to meet, and I had the kids do their own food webs at home and send me pictures.
I thought this was a clever use of a little sister's toys!
Animals and plants in a certain environment make up an ecosystem. An ecosystem is categorized by climate, animals, and plant life.
We learned about different kinds of symmetry, and I had also planned to copy Michelle in this fun experiment, We Are Not Created Equal, but we didn't get to have our class. (I rely on her posts, can you tell???) =)
I guess I could always use photos I already have and bisect my student's faces, lol. =D
sMiLeS,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)