How many teacher feet in a giant foot?

Last week we were busy measuring things in our classroom using teacher feet and giant feet.  We discovered there are 3 teacher feet in a giant foot and that some items in our room were better measured with teacher feet than giant feet.  We are becoming experts at estimating a measurement as well.  We had a blast and learned a lot.  We will continue exploring measurement and estimation with inchworm rulers this coming week.

Working like Scientists

Today in science we were learning how to work like scientists.  After reading Scientists Ask Questions by Ginger Garrett. We used scientific tools (microscopes) to observe butterfly and a wasp specimens that we collected last week. We drew diagrams and took notes.  Here are some of the things we have observed so far:

* Wasps have something on their body that looks like hair.

* Butterflies have swirly tongues.

* The wasps stinger looks like the end of a sharpened pencil.

* Butterfly wings have something on them that look like feathers.

* Our butterfly had brown spots on its eyes.

While some scientists in our class observed insects with microscopes others researched insects using the PebbleGo website.  Here are some of the interesting things they learned while thinking and reading about insects:

* Some wasps don't have wings.

* Some wasps have four wings.

* Adult termites have 2 pairs of wings.

* Termites can grow up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.

* Stickbugs start from little nymphs.

* A honeybee hive may hold up to 60,000 bees!

We are finding insects are VERY interesting.  We would love it if you shared a fact you know about insects with us.

Insects Galore!

I really meant to post last weeks photos and update you on all the fun we have been having in second grade over the weekend, but I was kept entirely too busy eating the most delicious cupcakes at the most amazing parties.  My dear, sweet friend Estelle turned one and another dear friend had the most amazing wedding shower in Portland.  Neither could be missed and neither allowed blogging during the festivities (wink, wink).

Last week we adventured further into our study of insects!  We have a rockin' song that is helping us learn review the parts of an insect each day.  It took this group about 30 seconds to have the parts of an insect memorized and know amazing trivia such as which body part the legs and wings were attached to and how an insects compound eye views the world.  The chorus is very catchy and you may have heard your child humming it around the house.  If not, maybe they will hear you humming it around the house soon!



One of the activities we did last week was grab some entomology tools (magnifying glasses, small plastic cups, terrariums and a digital camera) and head to the school garden to find some insects.  We searched for them on trees, in the flowers, the pumpkin patch and in the greenhouse.  We found several dead insects and collected them to view under magnifying glasses later this week.  Can't wait to check out those magnified compound eyes!

We have also been observing the Vietnamese Stick Bugs we have in our classroom.  If you haven't seen them yet you should come by and take a look at them.  They are amazing!