Wasps aren’t just one kind; there are over 30,000 species around the world. Each has its own unique behaviors and important roles in nature.
Insects like wasps can be grouped into two main types: social and solitary. Social wasps create nests and live together in colonies, while solitary wasps prefer to live alone and don’t build shared nests.
Many wasp species prey on other insects, helping to manage pest populations. This natural form of pest control is crucial for maintaining healthy gardens and supporting agriculture.
Wasps play a vital role in keeping insect populations in check, which helps agriculture and cuts down on the use of chemical pesticides.
Although not as effective as bees, some wasps also help pollinate plants. As they collect nectar from flowers, they unintentionally carry pollen between them.
Wasp nests come in a variety of designs depending on the species, with some building complex, multi-chambered structures that dangle from trees, while others prefer to dig their nests underground.
These nests can accommodate thousands of wasps and are commonly constructed in sheltered areas, such as beneath eaves or within dense vegetation.
Every year, certain groups of animals migrate from one location to another. Some travel thousands of miles in the spring and return the same distance in the fall. These incredible journeys are known as migrations.
Why do animals migrate?
Animals migrate as the weather and seasons change, seeking warmer climates, better food sources, or a safe place to give birth to their offspring.
How do animals know when and where to migrate?
Changes in weather, daylight length, or food availability can signal to animals that it’s time to move. How they know which direction to go remains a mystery. Some scientists believe animals are born with this knowledge, learning it “genetically” from their parents. This innate behavior is also known as instinct.
How do they find their way?
Animals don’t rely on the internet, GPS, or maps to find their way, yet they travel thousands of miles across land and sea each year. They’ve developed unique ways to navigate the Earth. Some use the Sun and stars to determine direction, while others rely on wind patterns or landmarks like mountains, rivers, and lakes. Some even possess a special sense that helps them detect the Earth’s magnetic field to guide their journey. It’s incredible what animals are capable of!
Migrations on the land
Caribou live in the snowy tundra of the far north. In North America, they migrate each spring to the northern coast to give birth to their calves in the summer. When fall comes, they head back south below the Arctic Circle. Some caribou herds travel up to 3,500 miles, covering as much as 35 miles a day.
Zebras and wildebeest – Every year, zebra and wildebeest herds in the African savannah embark on a massive clockwise migration. They’re always on the move, following the rainy seasons to find areas where food is abundant.
Emperor penguins, who are excellent swimmers, walk across 125 miles of ice each year to the place where they birth their chicks.
Migrations in the air
Arctic terns -Arctic terns hold the record for the longest migration of any animal on Earth. Every six months, they journey from the Arctic to Antarctica and back again, covering an astonishing roundtrip distance of nearly 50,000 miles. Thankfully, these strong and speedy birds can complete the trip in just about 40 days.
The average arctic tern will travel the equivalent of going around the Earth 60 times in their lifetime.
Canadian geese – Every year, Canadian geese migrate south to escape the freezing winters that ice over lakes and ponds. In the summer, they head back north to breed and nest. Their iconic V-shaped flight formation helps them conserve energy, enabling them to travel up to 600 miles in a single day.
European White Storks – Migrating flocks of European white storks can stretch for lengths of up to 125 miles.
Insects such as butterflies migrate.
For example, monarch butterflies migrate in groups. No single butterfly makes the whole journey. The butterflies go through multiple generations to reach their destination.
Migrations in the water
Gray whales – Gray whales migrate between the chilly northern waters of the Bering Sea during summer and the warm waters of Baja California in winter. They give birth to their calves in the winter before heading back north in early spring. Their migration spans an impressive 5,000 to 6,000 miles.
Salmon – Salmon have a fascinating one-time round-trip migration in their lifetime. They hatch from eggs in fresh water, grow, and eventually swim downstream to spend most of their lives in the ocean. When it’s time to spawn, they return to their birthplace to lay eggs, after which they die. Some salmon travel hundreds of miles upriver, with Chinook salmon covering 900 miles and climbing nearly 7,000 feet in altitude to complete their journey home.
Sea Turtles – Sea turtles migrate back to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs.
Fun Facts about Animal Migrations
Many animals get ready for migration by building up energy reserves and strengthening specific muscles to ensure they’re fit enough for the journey.
Birds save energy and are able to travel great distances by riding the air currents.
Male and female walruses migrate in separate herds.
Birds migrate when they fly south in fall and north in the spring.
Fish migrate through the water to feed or spawn (lay eggs to make baby fish).
Other animals such as mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and crustaceans also migrate.
It’s a widespread misunderstanding that pumpkins are vegetables, and there’s actually a good explanation for it.
In many cuisines worldwide, pumpkins are treated as vegetables and included in savory dishes since they aren’t as overly sweet as other fruits.
Since they grow from flowers and contain seeds, they are classified as fruits botanically, regardless of what culinary experts might claim.
Pumpkins grow from tiny fruits attached to flowers which grow off long vines.
Pumpkin plants have really long vines
Not all pumpkins are orange!
Have you ever seen a pumpkin in a color other than orange, like green or blue? And if you have, have you ever wondered why they aren’t more common?
The color of a pumpkin is determined by its genetic makeup. Through natural or artificial cross-breeding and hybridization, pumpkins can come in a variety of colors, including red, white, orange, yellow, or bluish-grey, often with mottled or speckled stripes.
It’s not easy to come across these exotic colors in most markets since they’re rare and highly sought after. If you do spot them, make sure to get your parents’ permission before buying, as they can be quite pricey.
Almost all parts of a pumpkin are edible
People eat pumpkin shells, seeds, flesh, and flowers. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, and pumpkin muffins are popular items made from pumpkin.
Pumpkins are native to North America
Recent studies suggest that pumpkins first originated in North America, particularly in northeastern Mexico and the southern United States, with the oldest pumpkin seeds discovered in Mexico.
Many people carve pumpkins into Jack-O-Lanterns for Halloween.
Carving pumpkins on Halloween was an old Irish tradition.
Have you ever thought of jack-o-lanterns being made from anything other than pumpkins? Hard to imagine, right? Surprisingly, carving pumpkins is a fairly recent tradition. According to an old Irish folk tale, Stingy Jack was a cunning man who tried to trick the Devil for his own benefit. After his death, he was denied entry to both heaven and hell, leaving him to wander the earth and haunt people. To keep Jack away, the Irish began carving demonic faces into turnips. When they immigrated to America, they switched to pumpkins, which were native, larger, and easier to carve.
Some people compete to grow ‘Giant Pumpkins.’ The largest Giants can weigh more than 2000 pounds, close to what a small car weighs.
Other people build machines to throw pumpkins in pumpkin chunking contests. The team with the machine that throws the pumpkin farthest wins.
The Bible offers clear guidance on raising children, providing principles and teachings related to their upbringing. Here is some of the guidance with scriptures.
Instruct, teach, and be a godly example for children
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Titus 2:3-4 Older women similarly are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor addicted to much wine, teaching what is right and good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to tenderly love their husbands and their children,
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];
Comfort Children, be compassionate towards them, and provide for them.
Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
Psalm 127:3 “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
Children are basically a gift from God. They are a reward from him.
Proverbs 31:15 She (the virtuous woman) riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
this is talking about her getting up early to see to the cooking of the food.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
children are most assuredly part of a man’s household.
Children are to be disciplined with love so that they will gain wisdom that results in righteousness and peace.
Proverbs 3:12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Proverbs 13:24 He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].
This does not mean beat. It means correct and teach by showing the correct way.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
Proverbs 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; Yes, he will delight your soul.
Don’t Frustrate or discourage children; instead teach and instruct them in God’s ways.
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].
Leave your children an inheritance.
An inheritance does not necessarily mean that you leave them lots of money.
Leaving them with the memory of how you trained them to follow God is worth more than gold or silver.
Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.
Bring them up in the fear of the Lord by teaching them His Word.
Psalms 34:11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to fear the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience].
Proverbs 1:1-8 The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction; To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight, To receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, Righteousness, justice, and integrity; That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth, The wise will hear and increase their learning, And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth], To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech] or an enigma with its interpretation, And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection]. The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant [a]fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not reject the teaching of your mother.
Matthew 19:14 But He said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Luke 2:41 And the Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him. Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast.
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them to Himself, saying [to the apostles], “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Remember to frequently bring your children to Jesus.
As Robert was one day rambling about, he happened to cry out, ‘Ho, ho!’ He instantly heard coming back from a hill nearby, the same words, ‘Ho, ho!’
In great surprise, he said with a loud voice, ‘Who are you?’ Upon this, the same words came back, ‘Who are you?’
Robert now cried out harshly, ‘You must be a very foolish fellow.’ ‘Foolish fellow!’ came back from the hill.
Robert became angry, and with loud and fierce words went toward the spot whence the sounds came. The words all came back to him in the same angry tone.
He then went into the thicket, and looked for the boy who, as he thought, was mocking him; but he could find nobody anywhere.
When he went home, he told his mother that some boy had hid himself in the wood, for the purpose of mocking him.
‘Robert,’ said his mother, ‘you are angry with yourself alone. You heard nothing but your own words.’
‘Why, mother, how can that be?’ said Robert. ‘Did you never hear an echo?’ asked his mother. ‘An echo, dear mother? No, ma’am. What is it?’
‘I will tell you,’ said his mother. ‘You know, when you play with your ball, and throw it against the side of a house, it bounds back to you.’ ‘Yes, mother,’ said he, ‘and I catch it again.’
‘Well,’ said his mother, ‘if I were in the open air, by the side of a hill or a large barn, and should speak very loud, my voice would be sent back, so that I could hear again the very words which I spoke.
‘That, my son, is an echo. When you thought someone was mocking you, it was only the hill before you, echoing, or sending back, your own voice.
‘The bad boy, as you thought it was, spoke no more angrily than yourself. If you had spoken kindly, you would have heard a kind reply.
‘Had you spoken in a low, sweet, gentle tone, the voice that came back would have been as low, sweet, and gentle as your own.
‘The Bible says, ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath.’ Remember this when you are at play with your school mates.
‘If any of them should be offended, and speak in a loud, angry tone, remember the echo, and let your words be soft and kind.’
‘When you come home from school, and find your little brother cross and peevish, speak mildly to him. You will soon see a smile on his lips, and find that his tones will become mild and sweet.
‘Whether you are in the fields or in the woods, at school or at play, at home or abroad, remember, The good and the kind, By kindness their love ever proving, Will dwell with the pure and the loving.’
There are little people in the world but how do they learn I am asking you? No, they don’t just learn overnight. They learn by seeing the world around them. Do they see good or bad in their world? You look and see. They learn by hearing the world around them. Do they hear good or bad things? Why don’t you listen and find out?
Children do what they see. They learn by tasting the food in our world. Do they taste good or bad things? Why don’t you taste to see?
Children do what they see. If they do bad look around in the world to see why. God made the grownups to tell the little children what is right and what is wrong. God made us to do right not wrong. God loves his children, that includes the grownups. He made us all to do right. Remember that children do what they see good or bad. Children see; children do.
Print out this page. As you do the assignments, write down the day that you completed each assignment. This will be your attendance record. Also, you can use this to record your scores. Parents, please see the lesson index for more important notes. Remember if any links don’t work, leave a detailed comment in the comments and I will fix it as soon as possible.
Monday
Math
Notes:
This course uses Khan Academy. If you have not done so already, please create a free account.
Please be sure to take notes on important points. Write down some of the sample problems in your notes.
There will be practice worksheets for you to keep for your records.
Read the first chapter on Characteristics of Living Organisms. Before you can use this site, you will need to register. Ask a parent to help you create a username and password.
This online textbook does not teach that God created the world in six days. It will speak of millions of years. You aren’t expected to take that as fact. You won’t be learning about this, but it mentions evolution, the hypothesis that all living things came from a single-cell organism that mutated and changed and developed into something else. That’s why people call primates our ancestors. They say they changed little by little until they became human. It takes a lot more faith to believe amazing things like DNA and the human eye were made by accident than to believe our incredible world was designed. I call it a hypothesis because it has never been observed happening and therefore cannot be called scientific theory, let alone fact.
Watch the video on the introduction to the characteristics of life. You can also watch this cell video. You can jump 40 seconds into it. You don’t need to know all these words, but it’s kind of fascinating watching it all work. It can give you some images in your mind for when you are learning about these things.
Answer the review questions 1-5 in your notebook. That’s where you stopped reading.
STUDY TIP: Go to the end and read the questions first. That way you can be looking for the answers while you read. It will make it easier for you if you will just take an extra minute to look at the questions before the reading.
Social Studies
Watch animation about the Growth of the Nation for review and preview. You can click on the box in the corner to watch it full screen.
Language Arts: A combination of reading, writing, and grammar.
Reading:
You will be reading Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin
While reading if you come across any words that you don’t know, write them down and look them up in a dictionary.
Write down in your notebook:
a list of characters. add to this list every time there is new character mentioned.
a summary of what you read.
Study the vocabulary words.
Superintended: Supervised or overseen. Leghorn: A type of dried plaited wheat straw fabric or a hat made of such material. Seminary: A private residential school for girls. Sententiously: Concisely or pithily. Hair Trunk: A trunk covered with animal skin with the hair still attached. Genteel: Refined or excessively polite.
Writing
Later in the school year there will be cursive handwriting assignments. If you would like to get ahead start here is a cursive handwriting chart. You could laminate this chart and write and wipe.
We’ll learn about cells later, but you should remember that everything in your body is made up of cells. Each cell is about 70% water, so what atoms do you know are present in your cells? (answer: hydrogen and oxygen –H20)
Read about skin. You should have created a free account yesterday.
While reading if you come across any words that you don’t know, write them down and look them up in a dictionary.
Write a summary of this chapter.
Study the vocabulary words
Spinster: A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions. Votary: Someone who is devoted to a particular pursuit etc; an enthusiast. Muses: One of the nine Ancient Greek deities of the arts. Plucky: Having or showing courage or spirit in trying circumstances. Dauntless: Invulnerable to fear or intimidation. Brood: The children in one family. Foreshadow: To suggest or hint at something in advance.
Spelling
How are your spelling skills? Place the vowel combination in the correct coconut to make a word. Choose the hard level.
Internet Safety Reminders: Do not download anything onto your computer without permission. Do not click on any advertising on a website even if it looks like a game to play.
Print out this page. As you do the assignments, write down the day that you completed each assignment. This will be your attendance record. Also, you can use this to record your scores. Remember to save all work that is done on paper. Take pictures of any art projects. This can be used to prove you did schoolwork for those who must show proof of work.
Monday
Math
Notes:
This course used Khan Academy. If you don’t already have a free account with them, it would be helpful to make one
Do the activity pages that you’ll see after the reading. This is the only part that
Put biotic and abiotic items into two separate bags. Ask others to reach in and feel what’s there without looking and tell if it’s biotic or abiotic. You tell them whether they are right or not.
Social Studies
This year we’re going to be learning about the places of the world and the people who live in them. First, we have to find them. To do that we need a map!
Look at this map of America and the maps on this page. Using your list of map vocabulary words, find each of those things on this map. (Example: Find the title. Find the date….)
Classifying nouns: person, place or thing worksheet.
Bible
This year you will be studying the New Testament. Every day you will read a section of the Bible and then complete the activities. You will notice that versions of most of the activities. Complete the version that is most appropriate for you.
Look at your skin with a magnifying glass. Make observations. (If you have a microscope, you can rub some skin off of you and look at it with your microscope.) Here’s an image of skin under a microscope.
Social Studies
Practice your map skills with the neighborhood map page located at the end of this day’s assignments.
remember to do all parts of lesson 2. There are 2 sections of practice problems.
Science
(Materials: white paper, tape, or butcher paper)
Get big paper, or tape together white paper. Put all the tape on the back. You need one piece of paper big enough for you to lie down on.
Have someone trace your body onto the paper.
This is the beginning of a project you will work on as you learn about the body. Put it somewhere so you can add to it when you are instructed to do so.
Social Studies
Watch video on the different types of maps. (The goal isn’t to know every kind of map, but to understand that there are lots of different kinds and that they each show something different about the area.)
Start where you left off and read up to the beginning of the bone section.
Social Studies
Draw your house. Be sure to include the various rooms. Label the rooms. Add a compass rose to your map. Remember it is the symbol that tells you where north, south, east, and west is.
Now bend and stretch your arms and legs. Do you feel your biceps and quadriceps moving? Picture what they are doing. Describe to someone what they are doing.
Social Studies
Do this treasure map activity. Download and print the activity.
write down the vocabulary words and their meanings in a notebook.
Make a list of the main characters from this chapters in your notebook.
Write down about two or three things that is interesting from this chapter in the notebook.
Map
For chapter 5, add the spring of clear water and the Tin Woodman near the cabin. Extend the yellow brick road and draw an overgrowth of trees and branches blocking the road as described in the chapter.
When nouns are names, they are called proper nouns and are always capitalized. They always start with a capital letter.
Some examples: name of a person is Mary; name of a place is California; name of a thing is Oreos. If the noun is a name and starts with a capital letter, it is proper.
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