This week was a very busy week at school. There were so many activities going on in each class that we only had only full day of science class. The week started out with me being sick. A field trip was planned to the Hindu temple in Cary, but I was not able to attend. I understand from my friends that learning about the Indian culture and eating Indian food was fun. I was still sick on Tuesday and did not go to school. However, during the day when I felt better I worked on my science vocabulary. I learned that birds are specially designed to fly, their bones are almost hollow and they have two sets of feathers.
On Wednesday, I felt a bit better and went to school. There was no science class because we had a visitor from New Hanover County who taught us about Human Growth and Development. The boys were separated from the girls for this talk. I learned how my body is going to change when puberty occurs. I learned that my hormone levels will increase which will cause me to sweat more. It's a good idea that I already have good deodorant. Puberty sounds so complicated I am not looking forward to it!
On Thursday there was only a half day of classes and then we left for the fun run and family picnic at the park. I was still not feeling better, so I did not attend the fun run, but it was very obvious that everyone had fun just from looking at the pictures. There was no way I could run with my stomach feeling the way it did.
On Friday, we finally had a full day of school and our first real science class of the week! We pulled apart the owl pellet during our dissection making sure to get every single bone inside. Then we rubbed the fur between our fingers to make sure there were no bones left. We then pulled off any leftover fur from the bones; we put it in a plastic bag to observe after spring break. I learned from this lab how an owl hunts and digests food and what he eats. He digests food by swallowing his prey whole because he does not have teeth and when the food gets to his gizzard the food is separated into digestible and un-digestible parts consisting of bones, fur, feathers and claws.
In thinking about ways to improve, I realize when I am sick and have to make up work, it is important to always make the most of every science class because we have so little time to get so much done. My goal after spring break when I return to school for the weeks before summer comes; is to really focus on giving 100% in every class.
I have attached a link on how owls hunt for their prey.
owl pellet
ellie at fun run
owl pellet dissection 
diagram of bones 
skull of animal 
owl pellet dissection 
internal frog organs
