Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Friday, October 19, 2018
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Little Sea Star...the Mighty Predator
Friday, September 28, 2018
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Ten Fantastic Facts About The Ocean
1. The ocean is home to an estimated 50-80% of all life on earth.
2. Very tiny plant organisms called phytoplankton live in the ocean. They use photosynthesis to produce more than half of all oxygen on the planet.
3. The ocean contains 96% of all water on earth. The remaining 4% is freshwater from rivers, lakes, and ice.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Feather or Fish?
Watch this video for an amazing treat.
The animal in this video is a fish know as the feather star. According to Tomasz K. Baumiller, a paleontologist from the University of Michigan, feather stars have been around for about 200 million years. Now that's a very old fish.
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Let's Talk Trash: Ocean Trash
Makeover of Versova Beach in Mumbai, India
It takes a million years for a glass bottle to deteriorate and 450 for a plastic one. That's why the trash problem is getting bigger all the time. Trash is unhealthy for humans and deadly for marine animals.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Friday, August 10, 2018
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
The Biggest Fish In The Sea
The whale shark is the biggest fish in the sea. |
A Gentle Giant
Of all the fish in the sea, the whale shark wins the prize for size. The largest on record was 20 meters long, but most grow to be around 12 meters and 40 pounds. Though tremendous in size and intimidating in appearance, the shark is actually very docile.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Friday, July 13, 2018
Learning To Love 'Not-So-Cute' Marine Animals
It's easy to love cute animals found in our oceans. Who doesn't love dolphins, penguins, and colorful little fish? But what about those that have a face only a mother could love? For animals like the anglerfish and barracuda we need to look deeper than cuteness to see some amazing qualities. Let's dive in and find out.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Family Boat Ride Turns Into Whale Rescue Mission
A family boat trip turned into a rescue mission when they came across a whale severely entangled in a huge fishing net. Realizing that time was crucial, the family worked frantically to free the whale using the only knife they had on board.
Without this intervention, the whale would most likely have not survived.
Please watch this touching video to its conclusion. The whale's reaction at the end is worth it!
When I saw this video I was deeply touched by the compassion this family had on a fellow animal in need. It makes me smile to know the whale swims free today due to human kindness.
The Dodo asks that we support whales by donating to the Great Whale Conservancy.
Without this intervention, the whale would most likely have not survived.
Please watch this touching video to its conclusion. The whale's reaction at the end is worth it!
When I saw this video I was deeply touched by the compassion this family had on a fellow animal in need. It makes me smile to know the whale swims free today due to human kindness.
The Dodo asks that we support whales by donating to the Great Whale Conservancy.
Let's all strive to discard our trash in appropriate ways.
Video Credits:
1. "Family Rescues Whale Tangled In Net" by The Dodo. Published on 07 Jul. 2018. YouTube.com.
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Friday, June 22, 2018
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Taylor's Review of Ants in My Pants
It's always valuable when young readers review a book. Their perspective is very relatable to other kids, and authors learn a lot as well. Scroll down to hear Taylor's review of Ants in My Pants.
Thanks, Taylor.
Taylor gives a review of Ants in My PantsClick To Hear Review |
Friday, June 8, 2018
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Coral Reefs, Part II: Life Or Death?
Many coral reefs in the ocean today are suffering from environmental damage so severe it threatens their existence.
Here's an example: Caribbean coral populations of staghorn and elkhorn "have declined more than 90 percent in the last 25 years". When reefs are damaged, it sets off a chain reaction that affects marine animals and humans alike.
Friday, May 25, 2018
Coral Reefs, Part I: Plant or Animal?
What makes up only one percent of the ocean but is home to almost one fourth of all marine species?
Answer:
Coral Reefs
Coral Reefs
Home to millions of species of fish, crabs, starfish, clams, sponges, squid, lobsters, sea turtles, seahorses, and more, reefs have existed on earth for 400 million years.
Corals may look like rocks or plants, but they are actually animals that have taken 'root' on the ocean floor. Each coral is like a condo with hundreds of little animals (polyps) living in tiny compartments.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Hello Ocean
Today I am reviewing a children's picture book by Pam Munoz Ryan entitled Hello Ocean, written for children ages 3-7.
Hello Ocean is a poem in tribute to the sea. The text is written in both English and Spanish. Right from the first, the author sets up a warm, familiar atmosphere by telling us how the ocean is her ‘old best friend’. As the story progresses, Ms. Ryan introduces the reader to the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches found both in the ocean and around the shore.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Earth Day 2018: Help Children Love Nature
Let's Instill A Love Of Nature In Our Children
Earth Day is Sunday, April 22nd.
Love a marine animal for Earth Day.
Love a marine animal for Earth Day.
One of the best ways to instill a love of nature in our children is to teach them to care about the animals who share our planet, especially those that are threatened or endangered by extinction. There are many things we can do as families to help these animals, and in the process our children will learn to value our planet.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
If Sharks Disappeared
Today I am reviewing a children's picture book by Lily Williams entitled If Sharks Disappeared, written for children ages 4-8.
If Sharks Disappeared begins with a tranquil scene: a family—mom, dad, daughter, and dog—in a boat floating above a healthy ocean habitat. But...the tone of the book changes quickly when…a shark arrives.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Stingrays Have Six Senses, Zero Bones
Stingrays are fluid swimmers with whip like tails. They may not look like fish, but they are.
Habitat
Rays spend most of their time in shallow, temperate waters within a few yards of the shore. During the day, they bury themselves in the sand exposing only their eyes for seeing and their spiracle openings for breathing. During the night they feed.Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Can A Picnic Help Save The Ocean?
A picnic is fun for the whole family, but can it really help the ocean?
It sure can if...
we pack a waste-free, earth friendly lunch.
we pack a waste-free, earth friendly lunch.
How to pack a waste free picnic?
- Place picnic food in reusable containers.
- Use refillable drink bottles.
- Include reusable utensils.
- Add cloth napkins.
- Include fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Pack the picnic in a reusable basket, backpack, or lunchbox.
Friday, March 23, 2018
Dolphin Baby!
Today I am reviewing a children's picture book by Nicola Davies entitled Dolphin Baby!, written for children 5-8.
Dolphin is born into a world full of the love and security of his Mom. She is his protector: teaching him how to breathe, where to swim, how to talk, and how to fish. She is his nurturer: feeding him thorough her nipples and stroking him with her flippers.
Dolphin is born into a world full of the love and security of his Mom. She is his protector: teaching him how to breathe, where to swim, how to talk, and how to fish. She is his nurturer: feeding him thorough her nipples and stroking him with her flippers.
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Friday, March 9, 2018
Friday, March 2, 2018
Six Ways To Care For Our Oceans
Why We Need To Care For Our Oceans
Perhaps your livelihood is tied to the ocean. Then it is important for your financial security as well.
But there are other--often overlooked--reasons to care about the ocean. It holds great significance for our health on earth.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Six Amazing Sea Turtle Facts
Green Sea Turtle
1. Baby sea turtles are either 'cool daddies' or 'hot mamas'.
The temperature of the sand surrounding the eggs in a sea turtle nest is a determining factor in the sex of the hatchings. Lower temperatures produce more males, higher temperatures produce more females. This phenomenon, called Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination or TSD, is true of other reptiles, such as alligators and crocodiles.
When they are ready to hatch, the hatchlings dig out of their sandy nest and scurry to enter the ocean before they are eaten by hungry birds and crabs.
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Educators Guide for Ants in My Pants
Click below to download an Educators Guide for Ants in My Pants, my Scholastic Press Rookie Reader for children in Pre-K through Grade 2.
All activities fulfill Common Core English Language Arts Standards, Common Core Math Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.
Book available at amazon.com.
Book available at barnesandnoble.com.
Book available in English and Spanish.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
What is The Great Pacific Garbage Patch?
If the wind is strong enough, it can push the ocean's surface in the direction it is blowing.
In certain locations on earth, the wind pushes so strongly that ocean currents are created. These currents move around and around in huge continuous spirals called gyres. There are five gyres ocean-wide: the North Atlantic Gyre, South Atlantic Gyre, North Pacific Gyre, South Pacific Gyre, and the Indian Ocean Gyre.
The great Pacific Garbage Patch is located in the North Pacific Gyre. It is currently three times the size of the United States (not including Alaska and Hawaii) and is full of garbage.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Plastic Ahoy!
Today I am reviewing a children's book by Patricia Newman entitled Plastic Ahoy! Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Written for Grades 4-8, Plastic Ahoy! chronicles a team of young scientists who sailed across the Pacific Ocean toward a massive accumulation of trash know as The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Using the scientific method, the team conducted many experiments they hoped would answer some tough questions. How much trash was in the Garbage Patch, and how was it affecting marine life?
Monday, January 1, 2018
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