Friday, September 30, 2022

Arabic - Hello and Goodbye


We've now learned a whole year of Hindi!
Wow!

Let's try another language now, how about Arabic?

This is the language spoken by hundreds of millions of people acros the world, mostly in Africa and Asia.

Arabic uses a different alphabet than English, called abjad.
It has 28 letters, and the vowels are just the consonants with small marks called diacritics above them.
Probably the biggest difference between Arabic and English is that it is written from right to left instead of left to right!

Let's learn how to say hello and goodbye in Arabic!

To say hello in Arabic you would say mrhaban, sounds like mah-dr-hah-ben 文A

In the Arabic letters it looks like this: مرحبًا

To say goodbye you say mae alsalamati, sounds like mah-ah-l-sah-lah-mah-ti 文A

In the Arabic letters it looks like this: مع السلامة!


arabic language
(from: wikipedia - lebanese academy of sciences)

Hindi: नमस्ते (Namaste), अलविदा (Alavida)

Swahili: Jambo, Hujambo, Habari, Mambo, Shikamoo

Russian: Привет (privet), Здравствуй (Zdravstvuy), Пока (poka), до свидания (do svidaniya)

Norwegian: Hei, Hallo, Ha det, Ha det brah

Greek: Γειά σου (Geiá sou), Χαίρετε (Chairete), Αντίο (Antío)

ASL: Hello and Goodbye

Italian: Ciao, arrivederci

German: Hallo, Auf Wiedersehen

Spanish: Hola! Adiós!

French: Bonjour! Au Revoir!

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Alpha Flag


We just learned about the International Maritime Signal Flags.

There are flags for every letter of the alphabet, like the Alpha Flag, used for the letter A.

People can just use these flags to spell things, and each letter flag has special meanings too.
All by itself this flag eans "I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed."

The shape of this flag is called a swallowtail, and the colors are "argent and azure" which means white and blue.


(from: wikipedia - international maritime signal flags)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Pixel

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Antarctic Sun Starfish


We just learned about the Astropecten Aranciacus.

Another type of starfish is the Antarctic Sun Starfish, also called the wolftrap starfish or labidiaster annulatus.

This type of starfish comes from the very cold waters around Antarctica.

Most starfish usually have five arms, but this type of starfish can have over 40 arms!
They grow to be about 24 inches wide.


(from: wikipedia - labidiaster annulatus)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Bald Uakari

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Circadian Clock


We just learned about Rapid Eye Movement.

Another part of sleep is the Circadian Clock.

The word circadian comes from the latin words Circa meaning about, and Dia meaning day. So circadian means about a day.
The circadian clock is like an clock inside the body that helps your body sleep at night and be awake during the day.

It is in the part of the body called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN.
This is a big bunch of nerves in the brain, that are hooked up to the eyeballs to sense daylight to know when it is night and day.

If your circadian clock gets out of order from too much TV at night, it can mess up your body's inside clock that helps you sleep.


(from: wikipedia - suprachiasmatic nucleus)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Ear Hair Cells

Monday, September 26, 2022

Chongqing China


We just learned about the Country of Uruguay and many other countries in South America

Let's learn a little about the city of Chongching!

This city is in China.
It is about 82,000 square kilometers, and about 32 million people live there.
The people in this city speak Mandarin Chinese.


(from: wikipedia - chongqing)

There was a soccer team in Chongqing, but after 2021 the team closed up.

(from: wikipedia - chongqing liangjiang athletic f.c.)

To eat in this city you might have a Chongqing hot pot. This is a cooked pot of different meats with sesame oil to dip into.

(from: wikipedia - chongqing hot pot)

Visiting this city you might go see the Chongqing art musuem.

(from: wikipedia - chongqing art museum)

Along the Yangtze River, there are some areas with very high mountain sides. In Chongqing this gorge is called the Qutang Gorge.

(from: wikipedia - qutang gorge)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Vietnam

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Noah's Ark


We just learned about Cain and Abel in Genesis chapter 4.

In chapters 5 through 10 of Genesis, it tells the story of Noah's Ark.

Noah was the descendant of the family of Adam many years after Adam.
God felt that Noah was a good man, and told him to go on an ark with animals while the world was flooded.

Later Noah had many children, and many years later a descendant of Noah was Abram.


(from: wikipedia - noah)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Hark the Herald Angel's Sing

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Sunflowers - Van Gogh


We just learned about the group of Van Gogh paintings called the Saintes-Maries.

Another bunch of paintings that Van Gogh made was of some Sunflowers.

Around 1888 he made four different sunflower paintings, each one just a little different.





(from: wikipedia - vincent van gogh)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Anatomical Drawings - Leonardo Da Vinci

Friday, September 23, 2022

Hindi - Vegetables


We just learned how to say some fruits to eat in Hindi.

Let's learn how to say some vegetables.

carrot गाजर (gaajar) - sounds like gah-jer - 文A

corn मक्का (makka) - sounds like mah-kah - 文A

pea मटर (matar) - sounds like mah-ter - 文A


hindi devanagari
(from: wikipedia - devanagari)

Swahili: carrot karoti (kah-roh-tee), mahindi (mah-hee-n-dee), pea njegere (n-jay-gay-ray)


Russian: морковь (morkov'), кукуруза (kukuruza), горох (gorokh)

Norwegian: gulrot, mais, erter

Greek: καρότο (karóto), καλαμπόκι (kalampóki), μπιζέλι (bizéli)

ASL: carrot, corn, pea

Italian: carote, mais, piselli

German: Karotte, Mais, Erbse

Spanish: zanahoria, maíz, guisante

French: carotte, maïs, pois

Thursday, September 22, 2022

International maritime signal flags


We just learned about ethylene, and we've learned a lot about where we get oil and what we use it for.

Let's learn a little about flags!

Sometimes boats will hang up special flags to send a message to other boats.

These are called International maritime signal flags.

There is a flag for each letter of the alphabet A-Z and each of the numbers 0-9.
Sailors can use them to spell out messages, but also each flag has a special meaning too.

Ships use these flags to tell other people they are in trouble and need help, to warn people of danger, or even during sailing races to give messages to the boats sailing.


(from: wikipedia - international maritime signal flags)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Computer Monitor

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Astropecten Aranciacus


We just learned about the American Hog-Nosed Skunk, and a lot of other animals in that same family.

Let's learn about some different kinds of starfish!

One type of starfish is the Astropecten Aranciacus.

This starfish lives in the east part of the Atlantic ocean, and also in the Mediterranean Sea.
It lives right by the coast, and when the water goes out for low tide it buries itself into the sand.

The top of this animal is reddish orange with some yellow, and the bottom is all white.
It has two sets of spiney pokey parts on the outside of its legs called inferomarginal spines and superomarginal spines.

For food these starfish eat molluscs by crawling over them and then using their mouth on the bottom to eat them.


(from: wikipedia - astropecten aranciacus)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Azaras Night Monkey

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Rapid Eye Movement


We just learned about the Unconsciousness.

Another part of sleep is called Rapid Eye Movement.

Sometimes when you are sleeping and your eyelids are closed, your eyeballs will move around like they are wiggling.
During this time the brain is active and the eyes are moving, but you are sound asleep.
Because the eyes are moving quickly, they call it REM for Rapid Eye Movement.

During other times of sleep the eyes don't move as much.


(from: wikipedia - rapid eye movement sleep)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Cochlea

Monday, September 19, 2022

Uruguay


We just learned about the country of Suriname

Let's learn a little about the country of Uruguay!

This country is in South America, and borders Argentina, Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean.
It is about 181,000 square kilometers, and about 3.4 million people live there.
The people in this country speak Spanish.


(from: wikipedia - uruguay)

The flag of Uruguay has sideways stripes of blue and white for the people who first founded the country, and a sun in the middle that is the Sun of May.
The Sun of May is for the freedom of the country, and also from the mythical Incan god named Inti.


(from: wikipedia - flag of uruguay)

To eat in this country you might have chivito, which is a sandwich with steak, mozzarella cheese, ham, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and olives.


(from: wikipedia - chivito (sandwich))

Visiting this country you might go see Casapueblo, which was once the home of a famous artist named Carlos Páez Vilaró before being turned into a museum.

(from: wikipedia - casapueblo)

There is a sculpture in the town of Punta del Este called La Mano which means the Hand. It was made by artist Mario Irarrázabal, and was supposed to look like a hand that was almost under water, as a warning to people that swimming can be dangerous.


(from: wikipedia - la mano de punta del este)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Turkmenistan

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Cain and Abel


We just learned about the Bible story of The Fall.

Another story from the Bible is Cain and Abel.

In Genesis chapter 4, Adam and Eve had two sons named Cain and Abel.
Cain was jealous of how much God liked Abel so he killed Abel, and then God sent Cain away.
Adam and Eve had another son named Seth.


(from: wikipedia - cain and abel)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Away in a Manger

Saturday, September 17, 2022

Saintes-Maries - Van Gogh


We just learned about the Van Gogh paintings Langlois Bridge at Arles.

Another group of Van Gogh paintings is called Saintes-Maries.

In 1888 when Van Gogh was in France, he went on a trip to a town called Saintes-Maries that is on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
He made many paintings and drawings while he was there because he really liked the way the sea was so many colors like blue, pink, gray, green or purple.



(from: wikipedia - saintes-maries (van gogh series))


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Leonardo's Robot

Friday, September 16, 2022

Hindi - Fruits


We just learned how to say some things to drink in Hindi.

Let's learn how to say some fruits.

apple सेब (seb) - sounds like say-b - 文A

orange नारंगी (naarangee) - sounds like nah-rah-n-gee - 文A

banana केला (kela) - sounds like kay-lah - 文A


hindi devanagari
(from: wikipedia - devanagari)

Swahili: tufaha, machungwa, ndizi

Russian: яблоко (yabloko), апельсин (apel'sin), банан (banan)

Norwegian: eple, appelsin, banan

Greek: μήλο (mílo), πορτοκάλι (portokáli), μπανάνα (banána)

ASL: apple, orange, banana

Italian: mela, orange, banana

German: Apfel, Orange, Banane

Spanish: manzana, naranja, banana

French: pomme, orange, banane

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Ethylene


We just learned about the Paraffin Wax.

Another part of the science of oil is Ethylene.

Ethylene is one of the things that can be made with oil, and ethylene is used to make things like plastics.


(from: wikipedia - ethylene)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Computers

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

American Hog-Nosed Skunk


We just learned about the Striped Skunk.

Another animal in the same family is the American Hog-Nosed Skunk, or the conepatus leuconotus.

This is one of the biggest skunks in the world, growing over 80 centimeters long.
Sometimes this skunk is called the rooter skunk, because it likes to overturn rocks and look under things, which is sometimes called rooting.

These skunks have a big white back and totally white tail. It's not just a stripe on their back, the whole top of their back is white.

Just like other skunks these animals can spray a smelly liquid at someone if they are scared.
Even though they are skunks they are a lot like badgers and are really good at clawing and digging things.


(from: wikipedia - american hog-nosed skunk)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Grey Bellied Night Monkey

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Unconsciousness


We just learned about Consciousness.

Another part of sleep is Unconsciousness.

When a person is asleep they are usually not moving, with their eyes closed, and they can't talk or do things.
Sometimes a person gets hurt or passes out, and they look like they are asleep, but it's not really the same as being asleep because they can't just be woken up.
If someone is like this and they are still breathing and healthy but they seem asleep that is called being unconscious.

Sleep isn't the same thing as being unconscious because your body and brain are able to wake up if you need to.


(from: wikipedia - unconsciousness)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Semicircular Canals

Monday, September 12, 2022

Suriname


We just learned about the country of Peru

Let's learn a little about the country of Suriname!

This country is in South America, and borders the Atlantic Ocean, French Guiana, Guyana, and Brazil.
It is about 64,000 square kilometers, and about 600,000 people live there.
The people in this country mostly speak either Dutch or creole.


(from: wikipedia - suriname)

The flag of Suriname is stripes of green, white and red with a yellow star in the middle.
Green is for the land, white is for freedom, red is for hope, and the star is for the future of the country.


(from: wikipedia - flag of suriname)

To eat in this country you might have broodje bakkeljauw, which is a sandwich with spiced fish and chili paste with peppers.


(from: wikipedia - culture of suriname)

Visiting this country you might go to the Central Suriname Nature Reserve.
This is a nature reserve with over 16,000 square kilometers of rainforest.


(from: wikipedia - central suriname nature reserve)

The Brokopondo Reservoir in Suriname is a big reservoir of water, with about 1,500 square kilometers of water, one of the largest reservoirs in the world.


(from: wikipedia - brokopondo reservoir)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Turkmenistan

Sunday, September 11, 2022

The Fall


We just learned about Adam and Eve.

Another part of the Bible is The Fall when Adam and Eve got sent out of the Garden of Eden.

In Genesis chapter 3, the Bible says that God told Adam and Eve they could do anything but eat from a special tree in the garden.
They broke the rules and ate from that tree, and God made them leave the garden forever.


(from: wikipedia - garden of eden)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: We Three Kings

Saturday, September 10, 2022

Langlois Bridge at Arles - Van Gogh


We just learned about the Van Gogh painting Bedroom in Arles.

Another group of paintings by Van Gogh is Langlois Bridge at Arles.

Van Gogh made 4 oil paintings, 1 drawing, and 4 water colors of this bridge.
When he was in France he saw this bridge over the water, and with the windmills drawbridges and cottages it reminded him of the Netherlands where he grew up.



(from: wikipedia - langlois bridge at arles)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Paris Manuscripts - Leonardo da Vinci

Friday, September 9, 2022

Hindi - Drinks


We counted to 900 in Hindi! Wow!

Let's learn how to say some things to drink.

water पानी (paanee) - sounds like pah-nee - 文A

milk दूध (doodh) - sounds like doo-d - 文A

juice रस (ras) - sounds like rah-s - 文A


hindi devanagari
(from: wikipedia - devanagari)

Swahili: maji, maziwa, juisi

Russian: вода (voda), молоко (moloko), сок (sok)

Norwegian: vann, melk, juice

Greek: water νερό (neró), milk γάλα (gála), juice χυμό (chymó)

ASL: water, milk, juice

Italian: acqua, latte, succo

German: Wasser, Milch, Saft

Spanish: agua, leche, jugo

French: eau, lait, jus

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Paraffin Wax


We just learned about the Kerosene.

Another thing made from oil is Paraffin Wax.

This is a type of wax that can be made into things like crayons or candles.

(from: wikipedia - paraffin wax)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Tire Code

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Striped Skunk


We just learned about the South American Coati.

Another animal that is related to the Coati is the Striped Skunk.

These animals live in North America, in Mexico, the US and Canada.
They grow to be about 60 centimeters, and weigh around 4 kilograms.
Striped skunks have black fur with a white stripe going down their back.

Skunks are very well known for the way they can spray someone with a stinky liquid if they are defending themselves.
They can spray several meters away, to keep themselves safe!


(from: wikipedia - striped skunk)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Black Capped Squirrel Monkey

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Consciousness


We just started learning about Sleep.

One thing about sleep is Consciousness.

When you are conscious you are awake, and when you are asleep it is called being unconsciousness.


(from: wikipedia - consciousness)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Eardrum

Monday, September 5, 2022

Peru


We just learned about the country of Paraguay

Let's learn a little about the country of Peru!

This country is in South America, and borders Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and the Pacific Ocean.
It is about 1.2 million square kilometers, and about 32,000 people live there.
The people in this country speak mostly Spanish.


(from: wikipedia - peru)

The flag of Peru is three stripes of red, white red, and sometimes has the coat of arms in the middle.
Red is for the blood of the people who fought for freedom and white is for peace.
Sometimes the red and white is for a type of red and white flamingo called parihuanas.


(from: wikipedia - flag of peru)

To eat in this country you might have Papa a la huancaina, which is potatoes with cream sauce, pepper, onion and garlic.


(from: wikipedia - peruvian cuisine)

Visiting this country you might go see Machu Picchu, an ancient city on top of a mountain.

(from: wikipedia - machu picchu)

Manú National Park is a park over 1 million hectares in size that has lots of special protected animals, rainforests and nature.

(from: wikipedia - manu national park)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: East Timor

Sunday, September 4, 2022

Adam and Eve


We just learned about Genesis Chapter 1 in the Bible.

In Genesis Chapter 2, God creates the first people, Adam and Eve.


(from: wikipedia - adam and eve)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Silent Night