We're making a splash and diving into our next Project Based Learning unit, Whales! We've spent the last few days learning about the basics of whales. After we investigate what whales are and learn about different species, each child will become an expert on a specific kind of whale. All-the-while building on our driving question: How can we, as concerned and compassionate global citizens, help whales?
Yesterday we did an activity where we held our hand in ice water to see how long we could keep it submerged. We had some determined individuals who's body temperatures must of decreased significantly and came away with pretty red hands. Then we put our hands in a "mystery glove" and submerged them in the same icy water and ahh, it was cozy and warm.
Soon, while making a connection to whales, conversations about blubber emerged. We learned that blubber is a fat found directly under the skin of marine mammals. It insulates to help keep them warm, stores energy and nutrients, and helps them stay buoyant, or float.
Do you want to hear some WHALE TALES from your child? Ask them these conversation starters:
Our PBL whales page will be developing with our learning. We will continue to blog about whales throughout the rest of the year and will showcase what we've done on the PBL:Whales page. Our initial
Yesterday we did an activity where we held our hand in ice water to see how long we could keep it submerged. We had some determined individuals who's body temperatures must of decreased significantly and came away with pretty red hands. Then we put our hands in a "mystery glove" and submerged them in the same icy water and ahh, it was cozy and warm.
Soon, while making a connection to whales, conversations about blubber emerged. We learned that blubber is a fat found directly under the skin of marine mammals. It insulates to help keep them warm, stores energy and nutrients, and helps them stay buoyant, or float.
Do you want to hear some WHALE TALES from your child? Ask them these conversation starters:
- (Whales belong to the order cetacea, which includes whales, dolphins and porpoises.) Whales are divided into two suborders: what are they?
- What is a whale's tail called?
- How many blowhole's does a whale have?
- What table pod do you belong to? What are the other pods?
- What do you still wonder about whales?
Our PBL whales page will be developing with our learning. We will continue to blog about whales throughout the rest of the year and will showcase what we've done on the PBL:Whales page. Our initial