Last week, Wasey shared her baby basket. I oohed and ahhed... and told Room 8 how much I love it when they bring in things related to what we're studying. It lets me know they're going home and thinking about what they're learning and applying it to something they already know.
Thus the post on Kacey, Orion, and Sam.
Kacey is Mr. Outdoors! He asked if he could bring in some obsidian. Of course I said, "OF COURSE!"
Not only did Kacey bring in the 'volcanic glass', but he told us how he had used an antler to try and make an arrowhead. I told Room 8 this was called 'soft percussion'... and using a rock to try and make something from the obsidian would be called 'hard percussion.'
We talked about the fact that obsidian is also called 'volcanic glass' and why. At that point, Kacey pulled out some little shards of obsidian that had broken off when he was trying to make the arrowhead.
He brought in several pieces... and passed them around so Room 8 could have a closer look.
Ashley was checking out a piece. I think in this picture she was commenting on how sharp some of the points were.
I kept trying to get a great picture of Kacey... a view of him looking at the camera.
Room 8 started to laugh after ever snap of my camera when they would see Kacey turn his head away at the EXACT same time.
I think Kacey got a bit frustrated with his photographing, blogging teacher snapping so many pictures of him.
He decided to get rid of the obsidian...putting it back into his back, hoping the camera would go away. It did.
Thank you for bring it in to share, Kacey!
We studied the tundra. Each student selected an animal from the tundra, did a little research on that animal, and then made a type of mobile with their animal and it's place in the food chain. Orion did his on the Arctic Hare.
As I'm sitting here blogging, I cannot remember where Orion said he got this.
He brought in an Arctic Hare skin to show us. It was absolutely beautiful...and SO soft! As you can see, Kaia is thinking it would be wonderful to rest her head on.
Austin just wanted to touch it.
Orion walked around the room so everyone ... well, everyone who had clean hands... (we had a lot of sudden urges to wash hands!) could touch it.
Orion, thank you for bringing it to share with us.
Sam... he's our abalone guy.
He not only showed us his shell, but he told us a little about preparing abalone to eat. He said you have to be careful or it will be tough or chewy.
The outside of the shell...
The inside of the shell...
Sam... thank you for bringing your abalone shell, AND for the wonderful information you shared with us too.
Blu, is a white lab. He's no small animal.
He's about as docile as they come... and he absolutely loves Thalia.
After dressing Blu up, Thalia took these pictures of him! He's a very photographed dog!
I thought I'd share these pictures with Room 8, plus introduce you to Blu...and Thalia, of course!
Thalia
This is Mrs. J with Thalia. She was in my nephew's wedding!
Thalia with her parents: my son, Josh, and her mom, Erica.
Another picture of Thalia and Blu!
Last week, Wasey shared her baby basket. I oohed and ahhed... and told Room 8 how much I love it when they bring in things related to what we're studying. It lets me know they're going home and thinking about what they're learning and applying it to something they already know.
Not only did Kacey bring in the 'volcanic glass', but he told us how he had used an antler to try and make an arrowhead. I told Room 8 this was called 'soft percussion'... and using a rock to try and make something from the obsidian would be called 'hard percussion.' 
We talked about the fact that obsidian is also called 'volcanic glass' and why. At that point, Kacey pulled out some little shards of obsidian that had broken off when he was trying to make the arrowhead.
He brought in several pieces... and passed them around so Room 8 could have a closer look.
Ashley was checking out a piece. I think in this picture she was commenting on how sharp some of the points were. 
I kept trying to get a great picture of Kacey... a view of him looking at the camera.
Room 8 started to laugh after ever snap of my camera when they would see Kacey turn his head away at the EXACT same time.
I think Kacey got a bit frustrated with his photographing, blogging teacher snapping so many pictures of him.
As I'm sitting here blogging, I cannot remember where Orion said he got this. 
He brought in an Arctic Hare skin to show us. It was absolutely beautiful...and SO soft! As you can see, Kaia is thinking it would be wonderful to rest her head on.
Austin just wanted to touch it.
He not only showed us his shell, but he told us a little about preparing abalone to eat. He said you have to be careful or it will be tough or chewy. 
The outside of the shell...
The inside of the shell...
Sam... thank you for bringing your abalone shell, AND for the wonderful information you shared with us too.
This was actually Sammy's encore appearance...meaning, she came back for a second time.
She came a week ago... on a Friday when I was not at school...
I had been hearing about Sammy... about how much longer Brittany had to wait to get her.
She was certainly worth waiting for. Look at that adorable little face!
And I do believe Brittany is quite smitten with her!
Speaking of Kaia... makes me think of Sierra... and the girls felt we should take a picture of Sammy's tiny paws in comparison to Sierra's massive paws.
Sammy didn't get to stay long in Room 8 on Friday... her grandma (Brittany's mom) had to go to work, so Sammy had to go to wherever Sammy hangs out during the day.
I don't think Sammy wanted to leave....
She decided to give Brittany some good-bye kisses...
Brittany, you certainly have an adorable little puppy! Thank you for bringing her back in so she could be a star on the Room 8 News blog!
As we continue to study Native Americans and their culture, Wasey asked if I would like for her to bring in her baby basket. I quickly answered, YES! 
The next morning, in came Wasey and Gloria, her mom, carrying this beautiful basket.
Gloria told me that to buy one like this, could cost $500 or more. 
Fortunately, when Gloria was pregnant with Wasey, a close family friend said she wanted to make one for the baby.
She gathered all the materials and made it. As you can see, close to the top is a line of beads - this is called the Life Line. On each side are these shells/seeds - which make a soothing sound when the basket is rocked. Wasey told us it sounds like the sound the dresses make when a woman is walking - as the shells/seeds move back and forth. 
Wasey was able to stay in this basket until she was 7-8 months old. 
Wasey walked around and let everyone in Room 8 have a close look.
Thank you, Wasey. What a treasure you have!
This is Wasey... sweet, quiet, artistic Wasey..
You look absolutely beautiful, Wasey!
