Whales

For science class this year, the kids studied Undersea Life.  After each new lesson, they wrote a report on what they learned.  Sometimes they even drew accompanying illustrations.  I raided Gracie's science journal for these next four posts:


"Baleen whales don't need teeth.  They have long strings of baleen hanging from their upper lip.  They eat plankton because of their small throats, no bigger than a grapefruit.  But toothed whales eat bigger things because they have teeth.  Whales have their noses on top of their heads.  That would be weird if I had a nose on my head:


by Gracie

Sea Lions and Manatees

"Sea lions.  No, sea lions are not just lions that can swim.  One guy who doesn't have another animal's name is a manatee.  No, not mayonnaise.  Manatees.  When manatees meet, they pull each other close and kiss!  Yes, you heard me.  A big smack on the lips!"


by Gracie

Sea Turtles

"Sea turtles lay their eggs on the same beach they were born.  But when they're hatched, predators are waiting.  I wish the mommy would do something to protect them.  Here's the mom doing something:


by Gracie

Shrimp

"You'll love this guy.  He is a dentist!  Okay, technically he is a shrimp.  But fish line up, and the shrimp cleans their teeth.  That shrimp is a human toothbrush.  Only, he's not a toothbrush and he's not a human."


by Gracie

Teddy Pear

poem and pictures by Gracie, age 8

A Teddy Pear is a special bear
kids sleep with when it's night.

Or you could eat it for your breakfast.
That would be alright.

The Ticklafuss

some free verse by Isaac, age 10

There are dogs, cats, and kangaroos
But
The things I like most are the Tigills
Like the Tooflugar and the Tromparoo
But
The one I fear is the Ticklafuss
With its wiggly, squiggly arms
And its whirly, squirrely fingers.
What, Mom?
Who's there?
What!
The Ticklafuss!

WooHoo!

2008 must be "Contest Year"!
We all did a happy screaming dance this morning when we saw that Lily won the Haiku contest over at Adam Rex's blog... 180 entries, two top prizes. Congrats Lily! Here's the piece of original art she's won, illustrating the haiku she wrote:



(Tickle Monsters must have been on the brain over here... Dad's got a board book coming out in February...)

Much thanks to Mr. Rex and the Judges!

Poem

a Monster Haiku by Gracie:

Fuzzy pink monster,
she dances for kids at night.
I want to see her.

Great Outdoors

Isaac & Dad Hiking Through the Woods
by Isaac

I enjoy walking in the woods with my Dad.  It is fun because we can talk to each other while it is quiet and no other kids are there.  We look around at trees and grass.  There is a tree I really like to climb that we call the Octopus Tree because it has a whole bunch of branches going down.  Sometimes we even walk to a stream.  Once I got stuck on the other side of a stream and had to cross a log to get back.

"Poem" by Isaac

If a Dragon Comes to Eat You

poem and picture by Isaac, age 8

Run to your bed
Put your covers on your head

Never mind what I just said
He’ll eat you in your bed