What makes an animal species ‘successful’ or ‘unsuccessful’? According to this video on evolutionary theory, a species needs to be able to reproduce, eat/nourish themselves, and move or travel. The Pumpkin Toadlet is not very successful at 2 of these ‘goals’, and yet they have survived for hundreds of years! The issue seems to be the toadlet’s tiny inner ear, which does not help their balance or spatial awareness (resulting in some very clumsy landings). The toadlet’s ears also do not seem to be able to hear the mating calls of other toadlets (imagine if humans could hear other noises and animal calls, but not hear each other talking!).

Many species have different biological features that might seem weird or unnecessary to us (ex: the ‘fainting goats’), but still seem to survive (and thrive) despite it. Humans also have some strange examples of ‘useless’ features… our appendixes are considered by many to be an organ that is not very helpful (and, in some cases, can even be harmful if it gets infected!). To learn more about the so-called ‘useless’ organ, click the link below:

What is an appendix

 

 

Hey Grade 7 families! Please ensure you have received the yellow sheet with information about Grade hoodies. Sizing information is on the back of the sheet, and the fee is payable on our Lochdale website.

Please bring the order forms back by November 4th to ensure your child will have a hoodie. If there are any financial concerns or issues paying online, please feel free to reach out!

Best,

Ms. Ward

Take a look at the photo above… what do you notice about it? You might notice a ‘ghostly figure’ in the background. This image was taken by William Mumler, a photographer who claimed to be gifted with the ability to capture spirits on film. The woman in the photo is the widow of President Lincoln, who went to Mumler after her husband died. Mumler and his wife took hundreds of photos, all with strange ‘ghosts’ in the background. For the Spiritualism movement at the time (people who were obsessed with the supernatural), this seemed like ‘proof’ of ghosts and phantoms. However, even at the time many people were skeptical and did not believe… Mumler was even taken to court and accused of lying! Scientists today think that Mumler may have layered a second photo glass underneath the original image to create this haunting image.

Check out the article below to learn about the history of ‘ghost photography’:

A history of ‘ghost photography’

Some questions to consider and discuss:

1. Have you ever seen a photo online you think could be a hoax?
2. Why do you think so many people believed in Mumler’s photos?
3. Do you and your family believe in ‘the supernatural’?

 

Today I hope we can all take a moment to celebrate how art (and artists) enrich our lives, reflect our experiences, and enhance our understanding! If you’re looking to take a ‘tour’ today (while staying warm and cozy at home), watch the virtual walkthrough of the ‘Among the Trees’ exhibit below. This art exhibit celebrates our connection with trees in all of their forms!

Our class has been hard at work coming up with our theories on what really happened during the Salem Witch Trials! We explored the possible role the poisonous fungus may have played in this terrifying moment in history. According to historians, two children (Betty and Abigail) were the first to be diagnosed with ‘bewitchment’ after complaining of symptoms including ‘visions’ (seeing ghosts), feeling pinching/burning on their skin, and experiencing seizures and convulsions. While doctors at the time were convinced the supernatural was to blame, scientists today think contaminated bread may be to blame. Please feel free to click on the link below to see our evidence and comprehension/discussion questions!

Evidence A_ Bad Bread Theory

 

Did you know that cotton candy was invented by a dentist? In class, we discussed the surprising origins of cotton candy, and how it is made today (both in factories and by hand)! We also explored what properties we could observe about the cotton candy such as: scent, colour(s), malleability (can we squish/shape it), ductility (does it stretch) and solubility (can we dissolve it in water). Look at the photos below to see how cotton candy ‘reacts’ when exposed to water!

Watch the video below to learn more about the creation of this sweet treat:

Image description: a pufferfish inflated and staring at the camera.

The image of the fish above might look frightening, but this ‘puffed up’ defense mechanism is only one way that pufferfish (or fugu) try to keep animals/people from eating it. Many species of fugu are considered to be extremely poisonous, which means if you eat them you might face an early grave.

Image description: a plate of prepared fugu sashimi with garnishes. This meal might cost upwards of $200!

Over 20 people each year die from consuming improperly prepared pufferfish. Most of the fish’s organs (including the liver, heart, etc.) are poisonous and contain a clear toxin that is most dangerous than cyanide. So why do people still pay upwards of $200 a plate to try this potentially deadly dish?

Some reasons fans of fugu list are: The taste is indescribable and delicious. The people preparing fugu have to train for 10+ years before serving the fish to anyone. Many more people each year die from eating raw oysters than from fugu.

So would you ever dare to try puffer fish? Check out the video below to follow the daily routine of a 45+ year master of fugu preparation (TW: the video includes footage of fish filets being cut and prepared).

To those who celebrate, happy Diwali! Diwali is an important celebration for many people of the Hindu faith; this festival of lights signifies the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. For many people in India and across the world, celebrations might involve lighting candles, gathering with family, and eating together (especially sweets)!

Image descriptions: sweet treats piled high for Diwali celebrations, including dates, jalebi (fried spiral dough), gulab jamun (sweetened doughnut-type pastries) badam burfi (coconut fudge), and more.

Our class is hard at work analyzing the next 2 episodes of Over the Garden Wall! We have been looking at different aspects of characters, including the mysterious woodsman and the terrifying Beast of the Unknown.

If you want a song to be stuck in your head, listen to “Potatoes and Molasses” (above) and stay tuned for our analysis!

As we prepare for Halloween and the ‘spooky season’, our class is exploring the mini-series “Over the Garden Wall”! We have already made predictions about the intentions of characters, the symbolism of different animals/plants, the themes present, and how the series will resolve. This show is also loaded full of interesting imagery and nods to folk/fairy tales.