May 31, 2009
1. Dolphins are the "wonder of the animal kingdom." Take a tour of a dolphin’s body to find out what makes them so wonderful.
a. Teeth: A dolphin’s teeth are not for chewing, but how do they help in food gathering? Some scientists think that the teeth are spaced in a way to help dolphins analyze sound waves.
b. The melon: The melon is used in echolocation to focus sound waves the dolphin gives off.
c. Dorsal fin: As distinctive as a person’s face. Used by scientists to identify individual dolphins.
d. Eyes: Special glands to protect their eyes from ocean water.
e. Skin: Many nerve endings in skin helps explain why tame dolphins like to be stroked.
f. Blowhole: Like a person’s nostril. Blowhole allows a dolphin to breathe while swimming at top speed.
2. What makes Dolphins so smart?
a. Brains: large size, second only to human in ratio of brain size to body size.
b. Communication: Dolphins communicate by sounds. Listen to a recording of a "conversation" to hear the squeaks and whistles.
c. Dolphins make choices and learn quickly.
3. What are some amazing dolphin facts? What other facts do you know?
a. Using sonar, a dolphin can find a single marble dropped into the end of a 70 foot pool.
b. A mother dolphin will stay with a calf for two to three years.
c. The killer whale (Orca) is really the largest dolphin, not a whale.
d. Dolphins can mimic a human whistle.
e. Baby dolphins "babble" like human children.
f. Dolphins were once land animals and evolved into sea animals. Their front legs became fins for steering although they still have a land mammal’s finger-like bones.
Posted by: Seymour Simon
April 14, 2009
Editorial Observer - Science, Mythology, Hatred, and the Fate of the Gray Wolf - NYTimes.com
If you want to protect wolves from being hunted again to the point of extinction, then you need to protest the decision of the Interior Department to allow wolves to be hunted again. You can write to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar at feedback@ios.doi.gov .
Posted by: Seymour Simon
March 31, 2009
Meet the Author - Seymour Simon
Posted by: Seymour Simon
March 9, 2009
Posted by: Seymour Simon
March 9, 2009
Are there are Earth-like planets in outer space? The Kepler mission aims to find out. We’re looking for a "Goldilocks" planet—not too hot and not too cold.
Posted by: Seymour Simon
March 9, 2009
I’m speaking on Tuesday night, March 17th in Portland, Oregon for The Innovative Northwest Teacher (T.I.N.T.) at the Authors! Authors! Authors! Series. I’m also looking forward to speaking at several elementary schools in the Portland area. I hope that some of the teachers coming to that event take the opportunity to have their classes view my web and send their comments.
Please be sure to come up after the speech to say "hi" if you’ve signed up to be notified about updates on www.seymourscience.com.
Posted by: Seymour Simon
February 17, 2009
Julia wandered into the den and saw her friend Chloe playing chess with her dog.
"Amazing!" Julia said. "That must be the smartest dog in the history of the world!"
"He’s not so smart," Chloe responded. "I’ve beaten him three out of five games so far."
Posted by: Seymour Simon
February 16, 2009
Recently, Liz Nealon and I have been giving talks and workshops about digital literacy to teacher and librarian groups such as the Wisconsin State Reading Association. This article in the New York Times is written from a librarian’s point of view. I would appreciate feedback. Tell me what you doing or what you would like to do to teach digital literacy in your own class or library.
Email Seymour Simon and tell him what you think and what you’ve been doing in your school about this important topic
Posted by: Seymour Simon
February 15, 2009
February 13, 2009
Terrible wildfires have swept across Victoria, Australia. There are ongoing efforts to save Koalas and other wildlife. Perhaps your class might think of a community project to earn some money to help to save Australian wildlife. There are links on this video that will tell you where to write for further information.
Posted by: Seymour Simon
