Samson

We just learned about Gideon.

Another person from the Bible was Samson.

When Samson was growing up, he was told never to cut his hair and he would be strong.

He grew up to be so strong that he killed a lion with his bare hands, and he killed many people in a battle using just a jawbone of a donkey.

One day he got married to a woman named Delilah.
Her family did not like Samson, so they told her to find out how to beat him.

He tricked her and told her fake reasons, like that they could tie him down with seven fresh bowstrings, or new ropes, or to weave his hair and tie it with a pin.

Delilah got upset and so he finally told her that if his hair was cut he would be weak.
People came and cut his hair and then captured him and poked his eyes out.

The people that didn't like him brought him to a big palace to make fun of him.
They tied him to large pillars to watch him, and he prayed to God for strength.
God granted his wish, and he pulled on the pillars and the whole palace came crashing down on everyone.
Samson died but so did his enemies in the end.

(from: wikipedia - samson)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Christmas Season

Last Judgement Tympanum - Gislebertus

We just learned about the Lewis Chessmen.

Another famous Romanesque sculpture is the Last Judgement Tympanum at Autun Cathedral in France, made by the sculptor Gislebertus in 1130.

A tympanum is a half circle or triangle shaped sculptured wall over a doorway or window.

This sculpture has Jesus Christ very large in the center, surrounded by the Virgin Mary and the apostles.
The left side shows people trying to get into Heaven, with St. Peter and angels.
The right side shows people being judged in Hell by demons and angels.
There are signs of the zodiac in the arch above the main painting.
Underneath the sculpture in the doorway it says "May this terror terrify those whom earthly error binds for the horror of the images here in this manner truly depicts what will be"

About 600 years after this sculpture was made, some people decided they did not like it.
So they covered it up with plaster, and put another piece of artwork on top of it and everybody forgot that there was even a sculpture there.
Around 70 years later, someone had chipped the plaster and they discovered the sculpture hiding underneath, so they uncovered it and cleaned it up as best they could.

The sculptor's name "Gislebertus" is carved into the side of the sculpture, which was very different for the time it was made, because people used to just make statues for the glory of God, and didn't feel like their name was important.
Gislebertus was one of the first sculptors to leave his name on sculptures, and after him a lot of other people started doing the same thing.


(from: wikipedia - autun cathedral)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Guennol Lioness

ASL - I am happy

Last time we learned about the ASL words for horse, sheep and duck.

Let's learn how to say I am happy in ASL!

With your two hands open and flat, wipe your hands upward almost like you are wiping something off of your shirt.

It's also important to make sure your face is showing that you are happy, to match your hands.
Here is a helpful video showing these signs:

eHow - Basic Sign Language Phrases : Sign Language: I'm Happy & I'm Sad




(from: wikipedia - american sign language)

Italian: Sono felice

German: Ich bin glücklich

Spanish: Estoy feliz

French: Je suis heureux

Coke

We just learned about Coal.

Another fuel used for metalworking is called Coke.

Coke is made by taking coal and heating it up very very hot, sometimes over 2,000 degrees F!
It is baked and heated for a long time, sometimes for days.

When it is done, the coke is removed and then can be used as fuel for smelting, that will burn even hotter and faster than a wood fire or charcoal fire.


(from: wikipedia - coke (fuel))


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: F0 Tornado

Panamanian Golden Frog

We just learned about the European Fire Bellied Toad.

Another type of frog is the Panamanian Golden Frog.

This frog is part of the true toad family.
Remember that all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads.
And some frogs are called toads, and some toads are called frogs.

The people in Panama love this golden frog, and put pictures of it all over the place.
There are even stories saying that when this frog dies it will turn to gold and bring good luck.
This frog even has it's own holiday, "National Golden Frog Day" on August 14th.

The skin of this frog is poisonous, and was used long ago to make poisonous arrows.

When this frog wants to talk to other frogs, it will wave its arms around.
Scientists think this is because the frogs live close to noisy rivers and couldn't really hear each other croaking well, especially because they don't really have normal ears and can't hear well.


(from: wikipedia - panamanian golden frog)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Pekingese

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