The ocean covers almost 3/4 of the earth, we can expect it to be full of life.

A big word has been being used in the classroom this week: INVERTEBRATE

Morah Katie: Are we invertebrates?

Levi: No

Morah Katie: Are you sure, how do you know?

Ben: We have backbones.

Morah Katie: Do we all have backbones? Lean down and touch your toes, reach back and touch your back, what is that thing you feel?

Dena: Our backbone!

Morah Katie: So we are vertebrates. An animal without a backbone is an INvertebrate.

So let me ask you, if I did not have a backbone, what would I be?

Kian: Not a vertebrate

Levi: An invertebrate.

This week we are learning about a few of the many ocean invertebrates.

Morah Katie: Please tell me something interesting about sea stars.

Ben: They move very slowly.

We ran/crawled the slowest sea star race.

Unlike most races, the SLOWEST sea star to reach the finish line won.

Morah Katie: What else can you tell me about sea stars?

Levi: They can regrow their arms.

Morah Katie: How do sea stars see?

Noah: Eyes on their ARMS!

Morah Katie: Where?

Ben: At the end of their arms.

Morah Katie: Do they see us like we see them?

Levi: Only light and dark.

Morah Katie: Do we see light and dark?

Noah: We see it ALL.

Morah Katie: Would you invite a sea star to dinner?

Dena: NO!

Morah Katie: Why not?

Dena: They spit out their stomach.

Ben: Then eat up what they want.

Shalom: And then they tug it back in.

Kian: That would be gross.

We learned that although they look like plants, sea anemones are animals.

We also now know that sea anemones can split themselves in 2!

Or just create a "budding" and grow mini ones of themselves!

Sea anemones appear stationary, but in fact they move!

They move slower than sea stars, but some can fill them selves with gases and float away.

Please ask your child to demonstrate sea anemone swimming.

Sea anemones are predatory invertebrates who use their stinging poisonous tentacles to catch fish.

Morah Katie: If you were a sea anemone, what would you eat?

Tori: Fish

Morah Katie: How would your get your fish?

Levi: Using the tentacles.

Morah Katie: But what do the tentacles do?

Kian: Grab them and bring it to their mouth.

Morah Katie: If you were a fish would you swim near one?

Tori: NO, I would swim away.

And in addition to all our time in the sea, we also spent time in our new Market!

Trading and sharing fruits and vegetables,

So much fun!