Facts about Magnifying Glass

The Magnifying Glass

Have you ever used a magnifying glass to look at stuff? A magnifying glass makes everything appear much more significant than what it is. Joey likes to look at ants with a magnifying glass. A magnifying glass is a lens with a handle so you can hold it in your hand and look through it to see the fine tiny details on stuff. A magnifying glass can make an object appear 2 to 3 times more significant. They have ones that can make objects as big as 5 to 10 times bigger. Roger Bacon invented the magnifying glass. The first time the magnifying glass was mentioned as being used was in 1268.

Facts about the magnifying glass:

1. A magnifying glass is a convex lens made of glass or plastic. Convex lenses are used in eyeglasses, telescopes, projectors, cameras, and microscopes. The human eye even has a convex lens. A convex lens is usually thinner at the edges and thicker in the center. It is used to bring distant light rays to focus in your eyes, helping make things appear more extensive and focused.

2. Magnifying glasses come in lots of different styles and sizes.

3. Magnifying glasses are used as vision aids. They help people see better.

4. A loupe is a small magnification device that allows you to see tiny details more closely. It magnifies things better than a magnifying glass.

5. Scientists use magnifying lenses to study tiny germs and insects, and people use magnifying lenses to study stamps and coins.

6. You can see a butterfly with a magnifying glass to see all its beautiful details.

You can help your child’s critical thinking and fine motor skills by letting them use a magnifying glass to see things they haven’t seen up close before, like a tiny ant or other small insects.

 

Can you share a fact about magnifying glasses with us?

 

Books about magnifying glasses:

1. I Use Science Tools by Kelli Hicks

2. Glasses by Rosa France

3. Our Eyes Can See by Jodi Wheeler-Toppen

4. Bugs Up Close: A Magnified Look by John Hallmen

Parents ensure books are child-friendly before reading them to their/children.

 

Facts about the Firefly

Firefly Facts

Fireflies are also known as lightning bugs! How many of you love the firefly and their magical lights? Seeing a field of fireflies lighting up the dark night is such a magical and mystifying sight. Did you know they are in the beetle family? There are over 1800 different types of lightning bugs. Fireflies use their light to communicate with other fireflies. The firefly gets the light on its abdomen from a chemical reaction caused by a compound called luciferin.

What is your favorite type of insect?

 

Facts about the Firefly:

1. The eggs from fireflies glow. The adult firefly lays its egg in moist soil near streams or ponds and under leaves or mulch.

2. Fireflies prefer hot, humid climates and can be found near open fields, outside of forests, and near water sources like ponds and lakes.

3. Fireflies can be found on almost every continent except Antarctica.

4. Not all species of the firefly glow.

5. Most fireflies come out during the hot, humid summer months from May to November, depending on the area they are in. One North American firefly species is active in the winter. It is called the winter firefly.

6. Adult fireflies eat water, nectar, pollen, or other fireflies. Firefly larvae eat worms, slugs, and snails. Some fireflies don’t eat at all due to their short life span.

7. Fireflies from different species glow in various colors, such as yellow, orange, green, and greenish-yellow. If you are lucky enough to live in Asheville, North Carolina, you can spot a rare firefly known as the Blue Ghost Firefly. However, you have to be quick; they only appear for two to four weeks in the summer. The Blue Ghost Firefly glows blue with white hues and can stay glowing for up to a minute.

8. Fireflies are beneficial to humans because scientists study their rare chemicals, luciferin and luciferase. The two rare chemicals are used in research on different diseases humans can have.

 

Can you share a fact about fireflies with us?

 

Books about fireflies:

1. Fireflies in the Night by Judy Hawes

2. Next Time You See a Firefly by Emily Morgan

3. It's a Firefly Night by Dianne Ochiltree

4. Fly, Firefly by Shana Keller

Parents ensure books are child-friendly before reading them to their/children.

 

 

Facts about the Moon

Last week, we focused on expressing gratitude for items and experiences that begin with the letter L. Today, we invite you to share something you are thankful for that starts with the letter M. Your contributions can help foster a spirit of appreciation and reflection.

I'm grateful for the Moon. What are you grateful for that begins with the letter M?

🌕 More Than Just a Glow: Fun Facts About the Magical Moon

Facts about Sloths

Sloth Facts

Sloths are very slow when they move, but they are super cute!! Did you know that without the Extinct Giant Ground Sloth, we would not have avocados today? Yep, that is correct!! If you love avocados, we owe thanks to the extinct Ground Giant Sloths. They were one of a few mammals that could swallow a whole avocado, and the seed would come out in their waste. They would leave seeds wherever they traveled, and those seeds would turn into beautiful avocado trees. How cool is that?

What is your favorite type of animal?

Facts about sloths:

1. Sloths may be slow, but they sure are strong! Sloths are about 3 times as strong as an average human. Sloths have potent arms!

2. Sloths are primarily nocturnal. They have very poor vision and can only see in black and white, which means they are color blind. They can’t see anything at all in bright lights and can barely see anything in dim lights.

3. Sloths spend most of their time in trees. Sometimes, they take a break from the trees and go for a swim. Sloths can move faster in the water than they can on land. They can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes underwater. Sloths are super incredible mammals.

4. Sloths have four stomachs and a large four-chamber stomach. It can take a sloth up to 1 month to digest a meal. Sloths have the slowest digestion time of any mammal.

5. Sloths live, on average, about 20 years in the wild and up to 50 years in captivity.

6. Sloths are classified as herbivores, but they have been known to eat bird eggs, lizards, fruits, and insects on occasion. Their main diet consists of leaves, twigs, flowers, and buds.

7. Sloths live in the rainforests of Central and South America.

8. There are six species of sloths, and they are divided into two groups: the two-toed and three-toed sloth.

 

Can you share a fact about sloths with us?

 

Books about sloths:

1. Sensory Seeking Sloth: by Jennifer Jones

2. Sloths (Nature's Children) by Josh Gregory

3. A Little Book of Sloth by Lucy Cooke

4. Sloan the Sloth Loves Being Different: by Misty Black

Parents ensure books are child-friendly before reading them to their/children.

Facts about Kangaroo

Kangaroo Facts

Did you know that Kangaroos have strong hind legs and jump almost everywhere they go? Their tail acts as a fifth leg to help them jump higher. They can also walk on all four feet if they have to, but they prefer to hop!

Can a kangaroo jump higher than the Empire State Building?  Leave a comment with your answer.

 

Facts about kangaroos:

1. Kangaroos are often referred to as roos. A female kangaroo is called a flyer, doe, or Jill. A male kangaroo is called a boomer, buck, or Jack. A baby kangaroo is called a Joey! A group of kangaroos is called a mob or a troop.

2. Kangaroos can swim, but they can’t walk backward.

3. There are four species of kangaroos; the Antilopine kangaroo (Macropus antilopinus), the Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), the Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus), and the Western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus).

4. Most kangaroos are herbivores. They eat plants, flowers, grasses, moss, and some insects.

5. Kangaroos can cover up to 25 feet or more in one leap and jump straight up to 6 feet high.

6. Kangaroos can weigh up to 200 pounds and be as tall as 7 feet. Kangaroos are the world’s largest marsupials. The Red kangaroo is the largest of the different types of kangaroo.

7. Kangaroos live in Australia and New Guinea.

8. Kangaroos can live up to 10 years in the wild and 25 years in captivity.

 

Can you share a fact about kangaroos with us?  

 

Books about kangaroos:

1. Kangaroos (Amazing Animals) by Kate Riggs

2. Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? by Eric Carle

3. Jump, Kangaroo, Jump! (MathStart 3) by Stuart Murphy

4. Kangaroos for Kids by Judith Lehne

5. Never Touch a Kangaroo! by Stuart Lynch

6. Kylie Kangaroo's Karate Kickers by Barbara deRubertis

Parents, be sure books are child-friendly before reading them to your child/children.

 

Facts about mice

Mice Facts

Today is a great day to learn! Learning is good for the brain; you are never too old to learn new things! Keep your brain healthy and learn something new every day!

Today, I'm going to tell you a little about mice. Some people have mice as pets. Mice are fascinating little creatures but can also be pesky little critters. Winter is approaching fast, and mice try to find warm places to live. Mice can squeeze through tiny holes or other openings in your home by flattening out their bodies. Mice have a collapsible ribcage, which makes their ribs flex much more than any other mammal, and that is how they can fit through tiny holes and other small openings.

Mice are adorable, but I don’t like sharing a home with them!! Do you like mice?

 

Facts about mice:

1. Mice have poor eyesight, but once they learn to maneuver through an area, they never forget it.

2. Mice have excellent hearing and a perfect sense of smell.

3. Mice communicate by squeaking, chirping, and singing to other mice. They also use their noses, ears, and bodies to communicate.

4. Mice are excellent climbers who jump up to 12 inches or more!

5. Mice are nocturnal critters. They do not like bright lights.

6. Mice are omnivores. They eat plants and other animals.

7. Mice love to chew and gnaw on stuff because their teeth never stop growing. To prevent their teeth from growing too long, they grind their teeth on tough foods and chew and gnaw on other stuff.

8. Mice have good memories. They can remember their way in and out of homes and their family.

 

Can you share a fact about mice with us?

 

Books about mice:

1. Pet Mice - Your Pet Mouse Happy Care Guide by Ben Little

2. The Kitten Who Thought He Was a Mouse by Miriam Norton

3. The Mouse in the House by Dori Bush

4. National Geographic Readers: Squeak! by Rose Davidson

Parents make sure books are child-friendly before reading them to their/children.

 

 

Facts about Pink Flamingos

Pink Flamingo Facts

What do you know about the fascinating Pink Flamingos? Do you know why Flamingos are different shades of pink, red, or orange? Their coloring all depends on their location and the food they eat. They are born a dull white or gray color and turn pink because of what they eat. Their diet includes algae, small insects, plants, plankton, shrimps, and tiny crustaceans. Their pink coloring comes from the beta-carotene in the food they eat.

 

What is your favorite type of bird?

 

Facts about Pink Flamingos:

1. There are six species of flamingos. The six species include the Greater Flamingo, the Chilean Flamingo, the Lesser Flamingo, the Andean Flamingo, the Puna (James’s) Flamingo, and the Caribbean (American) Flamingo. Four of the Flamingo species are found throughout the Americas and the Caribbeans, and the other two are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.  

2. Pink Flamingos can weigh up to 8 pounds and get up to 5 feet tall.

3. Pink Flamingos live in large shallow lakes and lagoons. They build their nests out of mud along the waterways.

4. Flamingos sleep with their heads on their backs and standing on one leg. They can sleep standing up or lying down.

5. Pink Flamingos eat with their heads upside down. They place their heads in the water upside down and sweep their bills side to side until they get food.

6. A group/flock of Flamingos is called a flamboyant. A baby Flamingo is called a hatchling, chick, or chicklet. Adult Flamingos are referred to as male or female Flamingos.

7. A Pink Flamingo can live up to 30 years in the wild and up to 50 years in captivity.

8. Flamingos can fly up to 370 miles a night at a speed of up to 37 miles per hour! They fly primarily at night to avoid predators.

 

Can you share a fact about Pink Flamingos with us?

Check out my YouTube video about flamingos:

Facts about Pink Flamingos

 

Books about Pink Flamingos:

1. Flamingos by Victoria Blakemore

2. Flamingo Activity Book for Kids: by Activity Slayer

3. Facts About the Flamingo by Lisa Strattin

4. Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle

6. Sylvie: The Colorful Flamingo by Jennifer Sattler