Dendrite

We just learned about the Nucleus.

Another part of the neuron in the nervous system is the Dendrite.

The dendrites are the part of the neuron that reach out like tree branches or fingers.
When the neuron wants to send a message to another neuron, it sends it out over the dendrites, and the other neuron touches dendrites and gets the message.


(from: wikipedia - dendrite)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Pulmonary Valve

Northern Coast Ranges

We just learned about the Klamath-Siskyou Mountains.

Another group of mountains in the Pacific Coast Belt of the North American Cordillera are the Northern Coast Ranges in California.

This range has the King Range, Mendocino Range, Klamath Mountains, Mayacamas Mountains and Marin Hills.

These ranges have many different types of plants and animals, and some of them are endangered so the wildlife in this area is protected.

(from: wikipedia - king range (california))


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Lake Ontario

Gideon

We just learned about the Joshua.

Another person from the Bible was Gideon.

After Joshua died, the Israelites did not have a good leader, and many people started making other idols to worship.
God called on Gideon to go smash those idols and make an altar to God.

Later, the Israelites had to battle a bunch of people, and God wanted Gideon to lead the battle.
There were over 30,000 people in the army, but God told him to only take 300 so that everyone would know that it was God who had won the battle for them.
Gideon took the 300, gave them horns, jars and torches and had them blow the horns, smash the jars, hold up the torches and shout "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!"
They did it, and the thousands and thousands of soldiers ran away scared, and even fought against each other, and the Israelites won the battle.


(from: wikipedia - gideon)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Advent Season

Lewis Chessmen

We just learned about the Cloisters Cross.

Another ancient sculpture is the Lewis Chessmen.

This is a set of 78 chess pieces carved from walrus ivory tusks or whale teeth.
No one is sure exactly how old they are, but they think they were from around 900 years ago in the country of Norway.

There are some red stains on some of the pieces, so they were probably a chess set of red versus white, instead of black versus white.
All of the pieces are little people, even the knights, bishops and rooks.

The knight pieces are on little horses and are holding spears and shields.
The rooks are standing soldiers holding shields and swords.
Some of them have crazy wild eyes and are so angry they are biting their shields!




(from: wikipedia - lewis chessmen)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Swimming Reindeer

ASL - Horse, Sheep, Duck

We just learned in ASL how to say dog, cat, cow, chicken and pig.
Let's learn more animals!

horse - Put your thumb up by the side of your head with your palm facing foward, and your first two fingers up almost like ears, and then wiggle them forward like a horse's ear.
sheep - Hold your left arm out in front of you across your body, and use your first two fingers of your other hand like scissors like you are cutting the wool off of the sheep.
duck - Using your thumb and your first two fingers make them like a beak opening and closing, in front of your mouth. The two fingers can be spread out a little to show that it is a big duck's beak.

Here is a helpful video showing these signs:

Chris Wood - ASL Lessons: Animals




(from: wikipedia - american sign language)

Italian: cavallo, pecora, anatra

German: Pferd, Schaf, Ente

Spanish: caballo, oveja, pato

French: French - cheval, mouton, canard

Coal

We just learned about charcoal.

Another type of fuel used in blacksmithing is coal.

Coal is something that is mined or dug up from the ground.
It is made from old plants that turned to dirt and were buried and pressed underground for a long long time.
Blacksmiths use coal as a type of fuel to make other types of ashes that can be used to make different kinds of metal.


(from: wikipedia - coal)


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European Fire-Bellied Toad

We just learned about the difference between Frogs and Toads.

One type of frog is the European Fire-Bellied Toad.

Even though these are called toads, they are not part of the family of "True Toads" called Bufonidae.

These toads have a green back with black spots, and an orange or red belly with black stripes.
Their eyes have heart shaped pupils and webbed feet.

A full grown toad can be about 2 inches long.
To protect themselves, their skin makes a poison that might give you a rash if you pick one up, and would make you feel sick if you ate it.

Some frogs like this one shed their skin.
They puff themselves up big, cough to loosen the skin, then tear the old skin off and eat it!


(from: wikipedia - european fire-bellied toad)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Fox Terrier