Snake - Scales

We just learned about the Snake's Internal Orgas.

Another thing that makes snakes different is their scales.

Snakes scales are used to help them slither along the ground, or even to climb trees.
The scales help them feel vibrations on the ground, meaning that an animal is near.
They help them stay warm and hold in the water so they can live in hot places, and they help the snake hide.

Even though snake scales have some color, they are mostly see through, and the color comes from the skin underneath their scales.
Their scales have many different shapes depending on where the scales are on their body, like their head, belly, back or tail.


(from: wikipedia - snake scale)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Whippet

Brachial Plexus

We just learned about the Coccygeal Plexus.

Another part of the nervous system is the Brachial Plexus.

These are the nerves coming from the lower cervical nerves (C5, C6, C7, C8), and the first thoracic nerve (T1).

It controls feeling and movement in the chest, shoulder, arm and hand.


(from: wikipedia - brachial plexus)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Right Atrium

Yukon Ranges

We just learned about the Talkeetna Mountains in the Pacific Coast Belt of the North American Cordillera.

Another famous mountain range is the Yukon Ranges in Alaska and Canada.

There are a bunch of other smaller "sub ranges" inside the Yukon ranges, called the Anvil Range, Dawson Range, Miners Range, Nisling Range, Ogilvie Mountains, Nahoni Range, Pelly Mountains, Big Salmon Range, Glenlyon Range, Saint Cyr Range, Ruby Range, Russel Range and Wrangell Mountains.

The Wrangell Mountains are mostly from volcanoes, and are some of the largest shield volcanoes in the US.


(from: wikipedia - yukon ranges)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Lake Michigan

Esau

We just learned about the person from the Bible named Rebekah.

Another person from the Bible is Esau.

Esau was the first child of Isaac and Rebekah.
Even from the day he was born, he was very hairy.

He grew up to be a hunter, and his father Isaac really liked him because he was strong and good at hunting.

The story of Esau is told in Genesis chapters 25 - 36.

(from: wikipedia - esau)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Second Peter

Brunswick Lion

We just learned about the Muiredach's High Cross.

Another famous sculpture is the Brunswick Lion, made in the year 1166 in Brunswick Germany.

The statue was made for the Duke Henry the Lion who lived at Dankwarderode castle.

It weighs almost 2,000 lbs, is almost 6 feet tall and is over 9 feet long.
The statue is a hollow bronze sculpture, and was the first large hollow casting like that in a very long time.

There is an old folk tale about the Duke Henry the Lion, saying that he went on a trip and saw a lion battling a dragon.
He helped the lion and together they killed the dragon.
So the lion became his friend, and came home with him.


(from: wikipedia - brunswick lion)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge - Lissitzky

ASL - Dog, Cat

We just learned how to ask if someone speaks ASL.

To say dog in ASL, first pat your thigh a few times with your hand, like you are calling your dog over.
Then hold your hand out with your fingers closed and your palm facing up.
Snap your fingers twice, but it doesn't matter if it makes sound.
These motions are like if you were calling your dog over.

To say cat in ASL, you make the hand shape for the letter F, which also looks like the sign for OK.
Hold it up by the side of your mouth, but with your pointer and thumb not closed yet.
Pinch your fingers together, and pull them to the side.
This motion is like if you were a cat and had whiskers, and you were pulling on your whiskers.

Here is a helpful video showing these signs:

ASL Lesson 9: Animal Signs - Look! We're Learning!




(from: wikipedia - american sign language)

Italian: cane, gatto

German: Hunt, Katze

Spanish: perro, gato

French: chien, chat

Wrought Iron

We just learned about Sponge Iron made in a bloomery.

Sponge iron is then turned into wrought iron.
After the sponge iron is made, it has a bunch of holes in it and is very messy.
A blacksmith can take the sponge iron, hammer it a lot, reheat it and keep hammering away at it to get it in better shape, and that is called wrought iron.

When it is all finished, the iron looks nicer and is easier to work with and shape.


(from: wikipedia - wrought iron)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Mesocyclone