Session 5 has January 12, 2010

Session 5 is based on the theme on "Creek Critters"
In classes 1 & 2 we studied Taxonomy (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species).
The "Creek" came to our room and we explored aquatic, insects, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles and their habitats.
2 classes remain: April 13 & 27 and remember all are invited to paddle the Elk River in Kelso, TN on April 30.
Contact me for details if your information sheet failed to make it home. 350-9047

October Explorations

It will molt 12 or more times if it survives to adulthood. What is it? ___________________

It has 5 pairs of legs. What is it? ___________________________

Related to Starfish and Sanddollars it is named for a veggie. What is it? __________________

It comes out a night to feed on insects drawn by the lights. It is a ________________.

This sandbar ____________ took almost 10 minutes to reel in and weighted 4o pounds.

This Crustaecean is named for its shell color it is a ____________ ____________.

This one groes larger and is great for a meal. It is named for the color of its claws(oops it lost it's)

and legs. It is a ______________ _____________.

A Gastropod, this critter walks on its stomach. It is a ______________.

Nope not a "sea bugger"! This "guy" belongs to the group Nudibranchs. It is a _______ _______.

Can you name these?

Sept. 29 class

During class today we took a 15 question quiz reviewing information from Amphibians, Reptiles, and Arthropods.

We had a small Brown Bat that I caught in our attic. Hopefully he is flying and munching mosquitos right now.

Ally Gibson brought her Bearded Lizard, Erwin, to visit.

Encourage your kids to check here weekly to answer the questions and help keep me up to date on happenings.

What does the name Arthropod mean?

How do most bats find their food?

Critter Pictures

Hints: #1 My name starts with a number
#2 Starts with a color

#3 I can close my shell completely.

#4 Alabama State Butterfly
#5 Our family of animals is named for the texture of our skin. (except the shellfish)

Can you identify these?

What is your favorite Insect?

Tell me which insect is your favorite?

What Crustacean that inhabits local fresh waters or the Gulf of Mexico would you like to study?


What is a Mollusk?


Can you give me an example of an Echinoderm?
Can you tell me what the term or name Echinderm means?

Class work sheet available on request

Those missing class but desiring in-class worksheets may request these and I will attach the sheets to my reply. send your request to (msharman9047@charter.net).

Next week' class (September 29) will end Session #1.
Session #2 will begin November 3 (Nov. 3, 10, 17, & Dec. 1).

The most likely topics for this session are Mollusks, Crustaceans, with a sprinkling of Arthropods. Rodents are also a possibility during this session.

Remember that 11:45 AM students are requested to bring a pen or pencil to class each meeting.

I will post here during October while I'm out of town. There are a wide range of critters where I'll be.

September 22 Class

This week we continued our discussions about amphibians, reptiles, and arthropods. We talked about the terms Ectotherm and Endotherm.

Remember the phrases "A toad is always a frog but a frog isn't always a toad",
"All reptiles have scales", "Reptiles are not poisonous they are venomous", arthropods are the most plentiful* animals on earth because they're food for all the others".

Alabama State
Amphibian Red Hills Salamander
Reptile Red-Bellied Turtle
Insect Monarch Butterfly
Butterfly Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Bird Yellow Hammer or Flicker