Category 1 Hurricane

We just learned about the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale used to measure hurricanes.

The first level on that scale is a Category 1 Hurricane - Very dangerous winds that will produce some damage.

These hurricanes have winds between 74 and 95 mph.

They usually are not strong enough to damage large houses or buildings, but could blow over mobile homes, uproot trees or blow off roof shingles.


(from: wikipedia - hurricane barbara (2013))


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Rain

Green Tree Python

We just learned about Corn Snake.

Another type of snake is the Green Tree Python.
These snakes live in areas like New Guinea, Indonesia or Australia.

They live in trees, and will loop their coils over the tree like a saddle, and then lay their head in the middle.
When they hunt for the rodents that they eat, they will hang down from the tree and surprise their prey.
They do not have venom, and they are constrictors.
That means they wrap their body around their prey and squish it.

Sometimes they will bite humans if they get scared, but since they do not have venom they are not very dangerous.


(from: wikipedia - green tree python)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Chow Chow

Frontal Lobe

We just learned about the Cerebrum.

There are four parts of the cerebrum, called lobes.

The lobe in the front at your forehead is called the Frontal Lobe.

The frontal lobe helps control voluntary movement.
Voluntary movement means things that you control, like walking or moving your arms.
Involuntary movement is things you can't control, like your heart pumping, or your stomach digesting your food.

It also helps make decisions on what is good or bad, and helps make decisions on if two things are alike.


(from: wikipedia - frontal lobe)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Abdominal Aorta

Reindeer Lake

We just learned about Lake Turkana in Russia.

The next biggest lake is Reindeer Lake in Canada.

This lake has a very deep circular part called Deep Bay Crater that was made when a large meteorite crashed into the earth.
There is also a legend about a giant creature that lives deep in that crater.


(from: wikipedia - reindeer lake)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Nebraska

Maundy Thursday

We just learned about Palm Sunday.

The next day in the church calendar is Maundy Thursday.

This day is to remember the Last Supper, when Christ sat with his disciples for the last time, washed their feet and then ate together.

Some churches remember the day by having foot washing ceremonies where everyone washes each other's feet.


(from: wikipedia - maundy thursday)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Jesus' Burial

Nefertiti Bust

We just learned about Tutankhamun's Mask.

Another famous ancient sculpture is the Nefertiti Bust.

A bust is a sculpture of the head and shoulders of a person.

This sculpture was made of limestone on the inside, and then stucco on the outside.
Stucco is like paste, and the sculptor used a few layers to make the face the way he wanted.
Once the shape was done, he painted it.

The right eye is made of black quartz, black paint and beeswax.
The pupil of the left eye is missing.
Some people think maybe the real person lost her left eye and maybe they made the statue to match it.
Others think maybe the sculptor left it open to help students learn how to make eyes.

Because the sculpture was so beautiful, Nefertiti was known all over the place as the beautiful wife of the pharaoh.
She also was the mother of the wife of Tutankhamen.
The hat she is wearing is called the Nefertiti cap crown.


(from: wikipedia - nefertiti bust)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: The Calling of St. Matthew - Caravaggio

Italian - Their car is tall

We just learned in Italian:
this chair is small is La sedia è piccolo,
my drink is cold is La mia bevanda è freddo,
and your food is hot is Il vostro cibo è caldo.

To say their car is tall you would say La loro auto è alto.
We can break it up like this:
Their - La loro - sounds like lah loh-doh /?/
car - auto - sounds like ah-oo-toh /?/
is - è - Sounds like ay /?/
tall - alto - Sounds like ah-l-toh /?/


So all together La loro auto è alto sounds like la loh-doh ah-oo-toh ay ah-l-toh.


(from: wikipedia - accademia della crusca)

In German:
Ihr Auto ist groß

In Spanish:
Su coche es alto

In French:
Leur voiture est haut