Super Trees

Read this National Geographic Kids interview about a conservationist and explorer.

Answer the following questions.

1. How long does it take to walk a mile in the forest? WHY?

2. Name 2 things kids can do to help redwoods and forests.

3. How old can some redwoods live for?

4. What substance makes redwoods resistant to fire?

5. What substance makes redwoods resistant to "decay-causing fungi?"

6. Write a complete sentence explaining what you thought was interesting about this article.

Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and different meanings. Look at this a list of homophones and create a short story or rhyming sentences using pairs of homophones. You can look up the meanings of the words using this online dictionary.

Who's the Fatsest Jaw on the Draw?

Which animal has the fastest snapping jaw? If you're guessing a shark or an alligator, then you'll have to think smaller. Read this article to find out and answer the following questions.

1. What is another word for "mouth parts"?

2. To explain how a trap-jaw ant's mouth moves so quickly, they compare its jaw to a _______.

3. About how fast can an ant move its mouth?

4. Who is Sheila Patek and what is her job?

5. How does a slow-motion camera help scientists better understand how a trap-jaw ant eats?

6. Use 3 adjectives (describing words) to describe the trap-jaw ant. *Use the picture*

Under the Sea

Scientists spent the past 10 years studying life under the ocean. Read this Time For Kids article (right-click, open in new tab) to find out the results of this study. Then answer the following questions:
1. How many scientists participated in this study?
2. What type of species was found in the Indian Ocean?
3. Name the two underwater areas that had the most sea life.
4. Why do we need to protect the oceans?

National Geographic Kids

Read this story on Slow Down for Calvin the Right Whale! (right-click and open new window). Then read this story titled Mission Blue (right-click and open new window).

1. Compare and Contrast these two stories: what do they have in common and how they are different?

2. Write 3 opinions about the "Calvin" story.

3. Write 3 facts about the "Mission" story.

4. How do you personally feel about any of these stories?

Welcome Back!

Welcome. This will be practice for the class blog. When responding, only write your first name - NEVER your last name.
1. Tell us what your favorite animal is and why it's your favorite.
2. Tell us about a book you read over the summer and if it was good or not.
3. Read this National Geographic Kids story [right-click and open in new tab]. Summarize what you've learned using 3-5 sentences.

All I Really Need To Know...

Read this poem and post your responses.

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten
by Robert Fulghum

Most of what I really need

To know about how to live

And what to do and how to be

I learned in kindergarten.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life -Learn some and think some

And draw and paint and sing and dance

And play and work everyday some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world,

Watch out for traffic,

Hold hands and stick together.

Be aware of wonder.

1. Which of these is the most significant to you?
2. In a second paragraph add to it your ideas on"All I Really Need To Know I Learned In 5th Grade." Have fun, it's the last blog entry!