Here are some interesting finds from the last week in the news. Space discoveries have been numerous this week. My hope is you find something exciting to study more, and work into your lesson plans!:

 

Retro! Knitting has become a new rage among Americans again. This article helps explain the phenomenon:

Once a lost art, knitting now is a red-hot craft

 

Scientists are getting closer to understanding rogue waves. Join them in this article that explains exactly how they are doing that:

Scientists Shed Light On Monster Sea Waves; 'Very Difficult To Study Directly'

 

This article is a little disturbing to me...but interesting just the same. Scientists have modified a mouse so that it shows no fear. This article can spark some great ethical/moral debates, and also stir up conversation on "do we need fear?":

Japan Scientists Develop Fearless Mouse

 

There are so many space discoveries this week, so I am going to list the headlines that link to the articles:

 

Is this tree a Christmas miracle or just an oddity? Read the story and you decide:

Workers find cross inside Christmas tree

 

Planning lesson plans for dinosaurs? Don't forget to read this first! A new breed of meat eating dinosaur has been discovered:

Student identifies enormous new dinosaur

 

Schedule a little learning time about how Americans' ate during the 18th and 19th centuries, a fascinating little lesson to work into your teaching:

In The 19th Century, Dinner Sets Included Soup Tureens

 

By studying insects, scientists have discovered how to make a robot bounce on water:

Scientists Discover How to Make Robots Bounce on Water

 

Hey, give me that Twinkie! Scientists have discovered that aging occurs faster in animals who have to compete more for their food. This is a interesting read for your science lesson plans:

Competition for Food Drives Animals

 

Work a little art into your home-school day. This is a great article on cave paintings from around the world, that include some wonderful pictures and links:

Cave art rocks

 

This next article is about a new book out that would be perfect for kids and adults of all ages. There is physics involved, but more fun than science! Time to build an Igloo!:

The Bookworm Sez: ‘How to Build an Igloo’ for fun and survival

 

That's it for this week, I hope you have found something to inspire some great lesson plans, or in the very least some stimulatingconversation between you and the children.