We’ve been marching through our study of land animals, and have reached the chapter on Ungulates. Last week we learned how ungulates are categorized.
This week we learned about elephants. We started off with their size. Elephants are HUGE!
First we measured ourselves to get a general idea of size.
Then we measured each of the elephants. The range in size from only somewhat huge (Asian elephants at 7 feet) all the way up to ginormous (African elephants at 14 feet).
Then we figured out how many of us it takes to be an elephant. We figured out one of the boys and me is taller than an Asian elephant. All three kids are as tall as an African elephant.
We read some more about elephants, and learned how they take baths. They spray dirt or water on themselves using their trunk. Of course we had to try, but we don’t have trunks, so it took some creativity……..
Who doesn’t love a good experiment with a straw? My kids certainly did, they spent 15 minutes after we were done trying it some more.
So, we spent the next few minutes trying to give their toy a bath like elephants do. We discovered it was a lot of fun, but it took some concentration.
Next we had to try and move things like elephants do with our own trunks. At the very end of their trunks are two finger-like extensions, they use to pick things up. To simulate this we grabbed some tongs and some small toys.
Then we spent the next several minutes seeing how quickly we could pick up things with the tongs. It was a difficult experiment, but one the kids really enjoyed.
For more Land Animal ideas check out my pinterest board or my posts
Let’s see what others did this week:
Each week I’m spotlighting a few posts that were shared previously. Many posts get linked up later in the week and they don’t always get as many clicks as they deserve, so I’m trying to spotlight a few every week.
Over at Buggy and Buddy she made a great craft and science experiment: Chromatography butterflies.
Gift of Curiosity had a great post about magnets, I really loved the challenge to remove a paper clip using the magnet. Reminds me of our how to get a popcorn kernel out of the ear challenge.
Over at All Things Beautiful, she shared a blast from the past (when her daughter was in elementary school) to help us learn how the earth, sun, and moon interact.
And another post from All Things Beautiful, this one tells us about the job of zookeepers. If you haven’t read the posts in this series, you NEED to now. I think I’ve found our summer project.
My last one, for whatever reason the picture is not showing up on my pin, and pinterest is mad at me, so you’ll have to take my word and go visit the awesome post on skeletal system from Weiser Adademy.
<div align="center"><a href="http://adventuresinmommydom.org/category/science-sunday/" title="Science Sunday"><img src="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g344/Ticia1/AiMScienceSundaycopy.jpg" alt="Science Sunday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
I love elephants! Did you see the elephant series I did a while back? I did some of the things you did as well. Great minds think alike! LOL
I don’t remember it, can you send me the link?
Sure. Although I think I like yours better. : )
Asian or African? http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/asian-or-african-elephant.html
Measuring Elephants http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/measuring-elephants.html
Elephants and water http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/elephants-and-water.html
Elephant Tusks http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/elephant-tusks.html
At the Waterhole http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/crocodilians-elephants-at-waterhole.html
Elephant Trunks http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/elephant-trunks.html
Yipidee dipidee! I’m actually DOING some science to link up! I feel warm and fuzzy inside!!
Your Land Animal Studies are making me want to redo that particular book!
We are really loving this one a lot. Of course I think I’ve said that about every single Apologia book we’ve done. I can’t quite decide if Land Animals or Swimming Creatures is my favorite.
Thank you for sharing our chromatography butterflies! I’m excited to have found your fabulous linky party!
They were so adorable, how could I not share them?
This made me smile as we did a very similar measuring activity when learning about swordfish recently.
How funny! We did an activity like this when we studied whales last year, and that one was insane because the blue whale went all the way out into the street and was much longer than our tape measure.
What fun! I think Sammy would love to do these hands on activities! But I think the giving a toy a bath would be his favorite! 🙂
It was certainly my kids’ favorite.
I LOVE your elephant experiments! Pinning this to my science board 🙂
Yeah!
I always love reading what you do for activities. They are always wonderful and such great ideas! Loved how you measured you and your kids to see how many of you it takes to see how large an elephant is. I can’t wait to do this with the kids when get study Land Animals! I need to start blogging about our science lessons again.
Yes, please do! I love to see how others are using Apologia as well because it’s such a great curriculum.
Great lesson regarding relative sizes and non-standard measurements 🙂 I still dream of riding an elephant one day!