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IN THE NEWS! 02/09/10

Scientists in Australia think they can learn a thing or two from termites, specifically their wings. The insects is able to fly in rainstorm and not fall to the ground from the extra water weight because their wings have the ability to repel water. Being able to fly in rain also acts as camouflage from predators as the water droplets hid their flight! Inspired by the termite's two tiered star-like structures and grooved hair shaft that makes the wings an anti-wetting surface, scientists are trying to imitate nature and replicate such surfaces. Such a water repelling surface from the design of a termite's wing may help create better self-cleaning surfaces.

Have you and your friend left footprints in the sand while running along a beach? Scientists have recently found more than 3000 dinosaur footprints near Zhucheng City,China. It's unusual to find so many dinosaur tracks of at least six different species in one area. It is also rare to find such a large amount of dinosaur tracks in one location. What's even more interesting is that the tracks, ranging from about 4 inches in length to 31 inches in length,dating back to about 100 million years old, are all facing the same way. Paleontologist (people that study dinosaurs)think the dinosaurs were in some sort of mass run, a panic of sorts. But, paleontologists don't know from what the Tyrannosaurus,Coelurosaurs,Hadrosaurs and the other dinosaurs were running!

Ever hear a bunch of prairie dog barking up a storm? Scientists say that these barks are actually a very complex language! The prairies and semi-desert grasslands of northern New Mexico, southwest Colorado and Arizona are where the prairie dogs call home. Living in colonies in underground burrows,the prairie dogs communicate with squeaks squeals and barks. With just one bark, researchers says a prairie dog may be describing the color, size and direct of an approaching predator. Their noises of rhythmic chirps and different intonations also shares with those in their colony whether the creature is a badger, hawk or coyotes. Researchers have found that just like in humans, each prairie dog has their own unique tones but that the language conveyed is the same. Wonder if prairie dogs talk about each other?

  • Did you know:Prairie dogs, are not dogs but members of the squirrel family! The name "dog" comes from the fact that they making a barking sound similar to a dog.

  • Click here to read archives of previous news stories:
  • Past News Stories!

  • NEW:12/09: Check out a new cyberhunt on the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics!
  • http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?vancouver2010.html
  • CHECK OUT NEW PUZZLER ON CANADA:
  • http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?canada.html

  • Welcome to My Website for Educators!
    Teach PEACE and TOLERANCE

    Check out a Valentine Activity:
  • http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?valentine.html



  • FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

    Click here:
  • http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?blackhistory.html

  • New Webquest: Black History Month

    "If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."(Ben Franklin)


    "You must be the change you want to see in the world."(Mahatma Gandhi)

    "School is a building that has four walls-with tomorrow inside."(Lon Watters)


    "We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make."(Senator Ted Kennedy)


    THE CRISIS IN HAITI

    You've probably read about the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that cause massive loss of life and destruction on the island of Haiti. The estimate death toll (and sadly growing) is over 100,000 for this country,the poorest of all nations in the western hemisphere. Its capital city, Port-au-Prince, was devastated in the quake. Perhaps, your school might wish to take up a collection and make a donation to the American Red Cross or other relief organization:

  • http://www.redcross.org/en/

  • Read more at this link:

  • http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/photogalleries/100113-haiti-earthquake-pictures/#025609_600x450.jpgeÊ

  • Learn more about the country of Haiti at this link:

  • http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0107612.html


  • Try doing an act of kindness for someone, today!
    NOTE:If you should find a link that doesn't work, please let me know! Thank you.

    PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND SIGN MY GUESTMAP. I'D LOVE TO SEE WHERE MY VISITORS CALL HOME! Click on the GLOBE ICON on the left to open the map.
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    NEW....NEW.... NEW.... Check out my new World Landmarks 1
    Click here:
  • World Landmarks 1 New 8/09


  • 1/10: Check out my latest short story:Mrs. Portulaca Purpilopilis and the Purple Adventure Goggles. I'd love to get your comments on the story!

    Click here:
  • http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?Portulaca.html

  • Check out a new magazine for young people called

    Glo Adventurer

    and see my most recent work:
  • http://www.gloadventurer.com

  • LOOK: New Careers posted 1/10: Michael Husted:Jewelry Designer
    Click here to read:Michael Husted, Jewelry Designer

    New:World Traveler Activity: 10/09: Check it out at this link:
  • http://www.gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?worldtravel.html
  • 9/09: NEW: Check out new State Puzzlers. If you have a state you'd like to see added next, please contact me.

    10/09: NEW: Check out new World Puzzlers. If you have a country you'd like to see added next, please contact me.

    Ten State Puzzlers
    Click here to read the story! The Wooden Cookie Box

    Check out my "Where in the World is Mrs. Waffenschmidt"(35 adventures) posted at Education World's site Click Here


    Special thanks to EducationWorld for letting me use this image of my "alter ego" as Mrs. "Waffenschmidt!


    About Gail:

    As of June /2006, I have retired from teaching after 33 1/2 years in the classroom. Of that time, I taught Grade 6 Social Studies teacher for 31 1/2 years.I earned my BA in early secondary education with a concentration in social studies from SUNY Oneonta, New York, and my MST in social studies education from Binghamton University in New York. In 1988, I was awarded the Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Classroom Teacher of the Year Award from the New York State Council for the Social Studies. Additionally, in 1988, I was also awarded the Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award by the National Council for the Social Studies.

    My work has appeared in most children's publications including:
    Appleseeds,Scholastic's Super Science,Scholastic's Science World, Highlights for Children, National Geographic World, Ranger Rick, Cobblestone, Faces, Muse Magazine, Contact Kids, US Kids, Action Magazine(Scholastic), Girls' Life, Boys' Life, American Girl, Instructor, Creative Classroom, Middle Years, Time for Kids, Scholastic News, Scholastic News Zone, Time for Kids , Ask Magazine, Dig, Calliope, Cobblestone, FACES, Studies Weekly, Glo Adventurer, and more.

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