Pórtico da Gloria - Mateo

We just learned about the Tympanum at Vézelay Abbey by Gislebertus.

Another Romanesque sculpture is the Pórtico da Gloria in Spain, made by sculptor Master Mateo in 1188 AD.

This is a large archway with three sculpted columns and a tympanum above the arch.
There are over 200 sculptures in this archway, showing Christ with his apostles and prophets, and also showing stories from the Old and New Testament.


(from: wikipedia - portico of glory)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Ram in a Thicket

ASL - They are excited

We've learned in ASL how to say I am happy, you are sad, and he is angry.

Let's learn how to say they are excited.
To say "they" you point you finger off to the right and draw a circle, like you're pointing out a group of people.

To say "excited" you start with your hands open, palms facing your body and your thumbs pointing up.
Take turns moving your right and left hands up and down almost like you are excited and shaking your hands.


ASL Nook - Your feelings in ASL - Sheena McFeely




(from: wikipedia - american sign language)

Italian: Sono eccitati

German: Sie sind aufgeregt

Spanish: Ellos estan emocionados

French: Ils sont excité

Lathe - Tailstock

We just learned about the Lathe - Headstock.

Another part of the metalworking lathe is the Tailstock.

Just like the headstock holds one end, the tailstock holds the other end of the metal being worked on.

When the piece of metal is put onto the lathe, first the metal is placed up against the headstock, and then the tailstock is moved closer and closer until it is holding the metal tight between both spindles.
The tailstock is moved by spinning a small wheel called the "handwheel" or "feed screw".
After the metal piece is in the right place and held tightly by both the headstock and tailstock, a locking lever is pulled down that works like a clamp to keep the tailstock from moving.


(from: wikipedia - metal lathe)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: F3 Tornado

Common Midwife Toad

We just learned about the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog.

Another type of frog is the Common Midwife Toad.

Even though it is called a Toad, it is not part of the "Bufonidae" family, so it is a frog.

This frog lives in Europe, grows to about 2 inches. It can be brown, grey or green with has dark spots on it, and warts on it's smooth skin.

One of the most interesting things about this frog is that the eggs are carried by the male frog.
After the female frog lays the eggs, the male frog picks them up and sticks them to his back legs and carries them around until they are hatched.
He can carry around 150 eggs, for 3 to 8 weeks!
He keeps them wet by lying in damp places, or going for a swim if they are drying out.


(from: wikipedia - common midwife toad)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Striped House Snake

Schwann Cell

We just learned about the Myelin Sheath on a neuron.

Another part of the neuron is the Schwann Cell.

These are cells that help surround neurons to protect them and keep them in place.


(from: wikipedia - schwann cell)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Heart Wall - Epicardium

Peninsular Ranges

We just learned about the Transverse Ranges.

Another bunch of mountain ranges in the Pacific Coast Belt of the North American Cordillera are the Peninsular Ranges in Southern California and Mexico.

There are 12 mountain ranges that are part of this group of ranges: Santa Ana Mountains, Chino Hills, San Jacinto Mountains, Palomar Mountain Range, Laguna Mountains, Sierra Juarez, Sierra San Pedro Martir, Sierra de San Borja, Sierra de San Francisco, Sierra de Guadalupe, Sierra de la Giganta and Sierra de la Laguna

The Palomar Mountains have the Palomar Observatory, which has some of the most powerful telescopes in the world.

(from: wikipedia - palomar mountain)

The Sierra San Pedro Martir mountains have the Nationl Astronomical Observatory in Mexico, another place with very large telescopes.

(from: wikipedia - national astronomical observatory)

Some of the mountain ranges in Northern Mexico have prehistoric cave paintings from over 2000 years ago.

(from: wikipedia - sierra de guadalupe cave paintings)

Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Lake Vostok

Samuel

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

Another person from the Bible was Samuel.

When Samuel was young, he was sleeping and heard a voice calling him.
The voice was God talking to him, and so people learned that Samuel was a prophet that God would talk to.

The people of Israel wanted a king on earth to rule over them, and so God told Samuel to make Saul the king.
Later on when Saul was doing bad things, God sent Samuel to make David the king instead.

As a prophet, Samuel talked to God's people a lot, giving them the instructions that God gave him.


(from: wikipedia - samuel)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Epiphany - Baptism of Our Lord