How many taste buds do we have? A LOT!

Our class has been studying the five senses... seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching.  We learned that our brain uses those senses to find out about the world around us.  On Friday, February 18th, we did a taste test experiment to find out the different taste buds our tongue has.  Do you know what the four flavors are that our taste buds can taste?  Find out below during our "taste test"!

SALTY

Logan and Lexi try out the salty taste with real salt.

Did you know that the tongue has more salt taste buds

than any other flavor?  Our bodies need salt to live.

SOUR

Landon tries out a slice of lemon.  Wow, that's sour!

Henrik is not too sure what to think about that sour lemon slice!

BITTER

Here's what Carsen thinks about bitter baker's chocolate!

Sam  is thinking that bitter is not such a great flavor by itself!

SWEET

Kami tries out the sweet flavor.  Now that's good!

Did you know that we do not have any taste buds on

the middle of our tongues?  (Except for bitter, which is

farther back in the middle.)  Kami found that out by

putting her sucker in the middle.  No taste there!

Neissa, Taya, and Karter all agree that

they like the sweet flavor the best!

Most foods are a mixture of some or all of these four flavors.

Check out Google Earth!

  

Our reading story this week was entitled, “Me on the Map” by Joan Sweeney.  In the process of reading this story, our first graders are also learning about maps.  Today, I showed the class Google Earth.  Google Earth is great computer program that allows you to see satellite views anywhere on Earth.  It gets close enough to see recognizable rooftops (we saw the top of Sibley School) and even airplanes parked at airports.

A number of my students asked if they can access Google Earth from home.  The answer is YES, if you have Internet Access.  The first thing you will need to do is go the link I’ve provided below and download the Google Earth software.  It is free and easy to use.  Then you can open the software and go to it.  You can type in an address in the “Fly To” box and it will fly you there.  Or, you can type in a place of interest such as the Eiffel Tower or the Grand Canyon.  You can actually see these things from the satellite view.  You can also zoom in and out to get a perspective of where you are on the Earth.  Many of the point of interest areas have places to click to find out more information about where you are and what you can see as well.

This program is great fun and very educational.  Check it out at this link and have fun:    http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/agree.html.

Happy Birthday, Colter!

Colter, Ms. Bennett's Shiloh Shepherd, came to school for his birthday.  He is now two years old.  Before the party, the class read a story together to Colter called, "A Bed Full of Cats."  They thought Colt would like that story because he likes cats. Then the kids got out their reading folders and showed Colter how to become good readers by practicing their books.  (Colter wants to learn how to read!)  Colter walked around and looked at their books as they were reading. 

After some work, it was time for the party.  The kids gave Colt a book of stories that they wrote for him for his gift.  Ms. Bennett read the book to Colter.  Colt loved all the stories about him in that book!  Some of the kids made Colter some cards and gave him some extra gifts as well.  After presents, it was time for the birthday cake.  Lucy, Cole, Landon, and Taya helped blow out the candles for Colter.  Then all the kids got to eat some cake - but not Colter.  No people food for him!  He just got to lick a little frosting from Ms. Bennett's finger. Everyone had a great time at Colter's birthday party!