Copper Bull

We just learned about the ancient sculpture Ram in a Thicket.

Another ancient sculpture is the Copper Bull.

This sculpture was discovered in 1923 in the country of Iraq, and it was made over 4,000 years ago.

The sculpture was made of wood covered in sticky black bitumen (also known as asphalt), and then copper plates were nailed to the outside of it.


(from: wikipedia - copper bull)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: The Snail - Henri Matisse

Italian - We are surprised

We just learned that I am happy in Italian is Sono felice, you are sad is Sei triste, he is angry is Lui è arrabbiato and they are excited is Sono eccitati.

Let's learn how to say We are surprised.

Siamo sorpresi.

We can break it up into two words:
We are - Siamo - sounds like see-ah-moh /?/
surprised - sorpresi - Sounds like soh-d-p-day-see /?/


So all together Siamo sorpresi sounds like See-ah-moh soh-d-p-day-see.


(from: wikipedia - accademia della crusca)

In German:
Wir sind begeistert

In Spanish:
Estamos sorprendido

In French:
Nous sommes surpris

F4 Tornado

We just learned that the F3 Tornado on the Fujita Scale is roofs and walls torn off, trains overturned, forests uprooted and cars thrown.

The next level of damage is the F4 tornado - Devastating damage.
This is when houses are totally blown down. Small buildings like garages are blown away. Cars are thrown through the air.


(from: wikipedia - fujita scale)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Altocumulus Cloud

Green Vine Snake

We just learned about the striped house snake.

Another type of snake is called the green vine snake, or the Ahaetulla nasuta.

It is a skinny green tree snake that lives in Asia.

This snake has venom but it's bite will only make your skin swell up for a few days, like a bee sting.
It mostly just eats frogs and lizards.


(from: wikipedia - ahaetulla nasuta)

When it gets scared it puffs up it's body and you can see a black and white skin underneath it's scales.

(from: wikipedia - ahaetulla nasuta)

There was a legend long ago that if one of these snakes looked at you, it's eyes would make you blind.


(from: wikipedia - ahaetulla nasuta)

Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Basset Hound

Heart Wall - Pericardium

We've learned that the heart wall's soft inner most layer is the endocardium, the second layer of muscle is the myocardium and the third protective layer is the epicardium

There is a protective bag outside the heart that is called the pericardium.
The pericardium has liquids in it, and it keeps the heart from getting shaken with every movement the body makes.


(from: wikipedia - pericardium)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Brachial Artery

Lake Onega

We just learned about Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan.

The next biggest lake is Lake Onega in Russia.
The lake is shaped like a giant crayfish.



(from: wikipedia - lake onega)

There are many islands on this lake, and on Kizhi island are many very old churches like the Church of the Transfiguration.


(from: wikipedia - kizhi pogost)

Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Massachusetts

Epiphany - Transfiguration

We just learned about the time in Epiphany celebrating the baptism of Jesus.

The last part of the Epiphany season is Transfiguration.

This is the time that churches remember when Jesus went up on a mountain with his apostles, and a bright light came on him. Moses and Elijah appeared by him, and God told them that Jesus was his son.

Matthew 17:

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”


(from: wikipedia - feast of the transfiguration)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Jesus' Crucifixion - Nailed to the cross