Facts about Reindeer

Reindeer Facts

Today, I wanted to blog about Reindeer. Let me tell you all about Reindeer, also known as Caribou. Caribou are wild and native to northern North America, while Reindeer are domesticated and native to northern Europe and Asia. Reindeer are a species of the deer family. 

Magical Reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh through the night sky on Christmas Eve! Santa and his Reindeer go to each house so he can leave gifts for the children. Only Santa’s Reindeer can fly because they are magical. Did you know that all Santa’s Reindeer are female? Scientists say that Santa’s Reindeer are all female. Male Reindeer lose their antlers in the winter, and females don’t lose theirs until the springtime. So, Santa's reindeer have to be female because they still have their antlers while flying Santa's sleigh. 

 

What do you put out for Santa and his Reindeer to eat on Christmas Eve?

 

Here is a list of Santa’s Reindeer in Alphabetical order:

• Blitzen 
• Comet 
• Cupid 
• Dancer 
• Dasher 
• Donner 
• Prancer 
• Rudolph 
• Vixen

Here is a list of Santa's Rainbow Reindeer in alphabetical order:

• Azul 
• Daisy 
• Emerald 
• Periwinkle 
• Pumpkin 
• Skarlette 
• Violet

Santa's Rainbow Reindeer is a book by Mimi Jones.

Facts about Reindeer:

1. Both the male and female Reindeer grow antlers.

2. Reindeers are herbivores. They eat grasses, herbs, mosses, fungi, lichen, leaves, and other vegetation types.

3. Reindeer have a four-chamber stomach. The four chambers of the Reindeer’s stomach are the Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum, and Abomasum.

4. Male Reindeer are called bulls or stags. Female Reindeer are called cows. A baby Reindeer is called a calf. A group of Reindeer are called herds. Reindeers travel and sleep in herds of 10 to as many as 500,000 reindeers. Some Reindeer herds are more extensive depending on what part of the world they live in.

5. Reindeer are powerful animals with solid and powerful legs. Reindeers can run up to 20 to 48 miles per hour.

6. Reindeer can swim when they need to cross the water. They can swim at speeds of up to 5 miles per hour, sometimes a little faster.

7. The height of the Reindeer measures about 3 to 5 feet from hooves to shoulders. They can weigh as much as 500 pounds.

8. Reindeer can live up to 10 or more years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.

9. Reindeer prefer to live in cold climates like Alaska, Northern North America, Europe, and Northern Asia.

 

Books about Reindeer:

1. Remarkable Reindeer by Jeff Bauer

2. Facts About the Reindeer by Lisa Strattin

3. The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett

4. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May

5. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: A 21st Century Retelling by Angela Nixon

Parents/caretakers should ensure books are child-friendly before reading them to your child/children.

 

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Facts about M&M's Forrest Mars

Facts about M&M's

I am going to share some information about M&M’s with you. M&M’s are multi-colored round chocolates with a hard candy-coated shell. M&M’s were invented by Forrest Edward Mars Sr., who got the idea from watching soldiers eat round chocolate candies during the Spanish Civil War. The M&M’s plain chocolate candy was made in 1941 in a Newark, New Jersey factory. M&M’s were a ration for the United States Military.

 

Facts about M&M’s:

1. Forrest Edward Mars Sr. is the son of Frank C. Mars, the founder of Mars, Inc.

2. While Forrest Mars was in Europe, he briefly worked for Nestle and the Tobler company.

3. The Milky Way was Forrest Mars's idea; his father, Frank Mars, produced it in 1923.

4. After Forrest Mars graduated high school, he attended Yale and then Berkeley, where he completed his degree in engineering in 1928.

5. While Forrest Mars was in England in 1933, he created the Mars bar and Maltesers.

6. When Forrest Mars returned to the United States, he started his own business and created Uncle Ben’s Rice and Pedigree dog food line.

7. The M’s on the M&M’s stand for Mars and Murrie. Bruce Murrie was Forrest Mars's partner for a while until Mars bought him out.

8. M&M’s used to be made using Hershey’s chocolate. Peanut M&M’s were first made in 1954.

9. M&M’s were first sold in cardboard tubes similar to the plastic ones we see today.

 

Can you share a fact about M&M’s with us?

 

Books about M&M’s:

1. The M&M's Count to One Hundred Book by Barbara McGrath

2. Mars Family: M&M Mars Candy Makers by Joanne Mattern

3. The M&M's Addition Book by Barbara McGrath

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

 

Facts about the Nene Goose

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

I'm thankful for Nene Geese. What are you thankful for that starts with the letter N?

🦆 Meet the Nēnē Goose: Hawaiʻi’s Honking Hero

With soft feathers, strong feet, and a name that sounds like a lullaby, the nēnē (pronounced "nay-nay") isn’t just a goose, it’s a feathered symbol of survival, sunshine, and island spirit. Let’s flap into some fascinating facts about this unique bird!

🌴 1. It’s Hawaiʻi’s Official State Bird

The nēnē was crowned Hawaiʻi’s state bird in 1957. It's the only goose found naturally in the wild in Hawaiʻi, and it doesn't live anywhere else on Earth!

🪂 2. It’s a Distant Cousin of the Canada Goose

Scientists believe the nēnē evolved from Canada geese that arrived in Hawaiʻi thousands of years ago. Over time, they adapted to island life and became smaller, gentler, and better at walking on lava rock.

🦶 3. Nēnē Geese Have Special Feet

Forget wetland waddling, these geese have partially webbed feet, making them great for hiking across rough terrain. They're built for lava fields, grassy slopes, and dry shrublands, not ponds!

🐣 4. They’re Super Loyal Parents

Nēnē pairs usually mate for life and work together to raise their fluffy goslings. The mom lays up to five eggs, and both parents protect the nest fiercely. Goose teamwork at its finest!

🎖️ 5. Nēnē Geese Have Helped Honor Veterans

In Hawaiʻi, nēnē geese sometimes appear in memorial artwork and educational programs to symbolize resilience, peace, and protection. Their survival story echoes themes of bravery and remembrance.

🛡️ 6. They Nearly Went Extinct, but Made a Comeback

By the 1950s, fewer than 30 nēnē geese were left in the wild. Thanks to conservation efforts, including breeding programs and habitat protection, today there are over 2,500 nēnē living on multiple Hawaiian islands.

🪻 7. The Name Comes from Their Call

“Nēnē” is based on their soft, gentle honk-like call, which sounds kind of like a cooing whisper. It’s one of the sweetest-sounding honks in the bird world!

🌞 8. They Don’t Migrate Like Other Geese

While most geese fly long distances, the nēnē is a homebody. It stays on the islands year-round, enjoying mild weather and island snacks like berries and grasses.

💚 Bonus Fluffy Facts!

• Nēnē geese often sunbathe on rocks to warm up, just like tourists!
• Their downy babies are called goslings, and they can walk soon after hatching.
• You’ll find nēnē geese on Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, and in conservation zones near volcanoes, forests, and coastlines.

Expressing gratitude has numerous benefits for individual well-being. Research indicates that recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects of life can enhance mental health and overall happiness. This practice not only boosts one's own mood but also fosters positive feelings in others. Therefore, it is important to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in daily life.

Next week, we will focus on celebrating items and concepts that begin with the letter O. This will be an opportunity to explore and express gratitude for a variety of topics, ranging from cozy comforts to intriguing curiosities. Join us as we appreciate and highlight the diverse range of positive associations linked to this distinctive letter.

Get your Nene coloring/worksheet here:

Books about Hawaii:

1. The Mystery in Hawaii: The 50th State by Carole Marsh

2. Hawaii's Animals and Wildlife by H. Douglas Pratt

3. My First Hawaiian 200 Picture Word Book by Gerard Aflague

4. Fascinating Facts About Hawaii by Jim Loomis

Parents, ensure that the books you choose to read to your child or children are suitable for their age and interests.

 

Get your parents' permission to Google the 

Nene Geese, and see how beautiful they are!

Facts about Styluses and Tablets

Stylus and Tablet Facts

Did you know that the Stylus and Tablet have been around for a long time? A weird but actual fact! The first stylus and tablet date back to the ancient Mesopotamian period. Cuneiform is a writing system that was developed by the Ancient Mesopotamians. They would use a stylus made of reed to scratch writing into their clay tablets. Reed is similar to a stick. One end of their stylus had a sharp point for writing, and the other had a flat end to scratch off the writing if they made a mistake. How cool is that? Our technology has advanced over the years and has become much easier to use.

 

Facts about the Stylus and Tablets:

1. The plural noun of stylus is styli or styluses.

2. A reed stylus was a writing tool used by the scribes of ancient Mesopotamia. Scribes were very important people who were trained to write using cuneiform so they could record important things on their tablets with their styluses.

3. Tablets in ancient times were made from clay, stone, wax paper, parchment, or papyrus.

4. Ancient Styluses were made from reed, iron, bronze, or bone.

5. The Ancient Romans called their writing tablets diptychs. A diptych was similar to a book. It had a hinge that allowed the writing tablet to fold to protect the writing on the waxed surfaces of the paper.  

6. A Tabula was a wax tablet used by the Ancient Romans for writing.

7. Cuneiform is the oldest form of writing, and it dates back to around 3200 BCE.

A bible verse states that everything we have has already been. Read it here... “That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and GOD requireth that which is past”-Ecclesiastes 3:15

 

Can you share a fact about ancient or today’s styluses and writing tablets?

 

Books about Cuneiform and Ancient writing:

1. Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: by Dinobibi Publishing

2. Cuneiform: Ancient Scripts by Irving Finkel

3. Children's Encyclopedia of Ancient History: by Philip Steele

4. Ox, House, Stick: by Don Robb

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

 

Thank you for reading my post!

Facts about Honey Bees

Honey Bee Facts

Who is ready for some trivia and learning? Which is not a type of Honey Bee found in a hive? (A.) Queen, (B.) Wasp, (C.) Drone, or (D.) Worker.

Continue reading to learn some facts about the honey bee!

Let me tell you a little about the hard-working Honey Bees! Did you know that the Honey Bee has five eyes and six legs? The two big eyes on the Honey Bee are called compound eyes, and they are on both sides of its head; the other three are called ocelli eyes, and they are in the center of the Honey Bee’s head. A Honey Bee has three body sections: The head, thorax, and abdomen. The thorax is a Honey Bee's midsection, with its six legs attached.

 

Facts about Honey Bees:

1. Honey Bees have two pairs of (4) wings. The wings are attached to the thorax. The two forewings are more significant than the two hindwings. Their wings are made out of a material called chitin. Honey Bees use their wings to cool the temperature down in the hives and, of course, for flying to collect pollen to make honey!

2. Honey Bees live in large groups called colonies. The colonies (hives) consist of three kinds of adult bees: drones, worker bees, and a queen bee. There are hundreds of drone bees. A drone bee is a male Honey Bee. The role of the drone bee is to mate with the queen bee. There are over 20,000 plus worker bees. The worker bees are female. The role of the worker bee is to take care of the young bees and the queen bee. They also clean and make the hive bigger. They hunt for food and bring it back to the hive. They make the honey. Worker bees work hard.

3. Drone bees are not capable of stinging. Some people are allergic to bees. Bees can sting you, so be careful when around them. It is best to only go near them if you know what you are doing. When a bee loses its stinger, it will die.

4. Bees can fly about 20 (MPH) miles per hour.

5. A Queen Bee can lay over 2,500 eggs per day. When the queen bee lays eggs, the Worker Bees choose about 15 to 20 fertilized eggs. The Worker Bees feed the larva royal jelly, and whichever larva matures the quickest will become a queen bee.

6. Worker Bees make honey by flying to hundreds of flowers daily to get nectar. They hold the nectar in their stomach, a honey sac. Worker bees have two stomachs, one for food and one for storing nectar until they return to their hive. They also have hairs on their hind legs (pollen basket) that allow them to carry pollen. When the worker bees return home, the pollen is used to feed the larva, and the rest is stored until used. The nectar is used to make the honey. The worker bees pass the nectar to the younger worker bees, who chew the nectar for a while, and then it is stored in the honeycomb, where it will become honey.

7. Bees are essential to humans because they pollinate our food crops. Pollination is where bees or other insects move pollen from one plant to another. The pollen fertilizes the plant, which can produce vegetables, fruits, and seeds because of pollination. Give a big thanks to the Honey Bees and other insects that move pollen from one plant to another.

8. over 18,000 species of bees worldwide, and over 3500 of them come from the United States.

Can you share a Honey Bee fact with us?

 

Books about Honey Bees:

1. The Way of the Hive: A Honey Bee's Story by Jay Hosler

2. The Life and Times of the Honeybee by Charles Micucci

3. Flight of the Honey Bee by Raymond Huber

4. The Secret Life of Bees: by Moira Butterfield

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

Short story alert:

Once upon a time, this tiny little honey bee loved to fly high above the flowers. We will call her Swoopy! She would swoop down, land lightly on a beautiful flower, and get all covered in pollen. Once she is done collecting the pollen, she flies way up high and swoops down upon another flower. When Swoopy lands on the flowers, she gathers pollen. Some bees collect both pollen and nectar, but Swoopy just gathers pollen. Swoopy has to transfer pollen from one plant to another to reward the bees with nectar. Without pollen or bees like Swoopy, plants would be unable to reproduce. Bees like Swoopy are pollinators. Swoopy loves to carry pollen from plant to plant. It is her job to do so. She works very hard at what she does. Swoopy is a worker bee, and she gets the job done. When Swoopy has finished collecting enough pollen in her baskets on her hind legs, she flies back to her hive and unloads the little balls of pollen she has collected. The pollen will feed the bees in the hive. Swoopy and the other worker bees make many daily trips to flowers to collect pollen and nectar to feed the baby bees and themselves. THE END!  by Mimi Jones 

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.