For the first time, a colossal squid was not only spotted but photographed! Colossal squids are very rare and are named because they can grow up to 23 ft. in length! They also can be as much as 1100 pounds! Found near the South Sandwich Islands, at the tip of South America and Antarctica, in the Atlantic Ocean, scientists believe the squid to be very young. It wasn't very large, just about one foot in length. Colossal squid are amazingly transparent but as they age, they lose some of the their see-through appearance.

Photograph from USA Today

Scientists at King's College In London, Great Britain, have grown a TOOTH in a lab. Using stem cells, it is the first time a human tooth has been grown. It is thought that one day, there will be no need for fillings or crowns, you just will have a "custom" grown tooth created for your mouth. The question for scientists is WHERE would you grow a new tooth, in your mouth or in a lab?

Photograph from first post

Near the Ryukyu islands off Japan, marine archaeologists have discovered an underwater pyramid. The structure of stone, believed to be over 10,000 years old is just 82 ft. Actually discovered in 1986, the almost 90 ft. tall may actually be OLDER than the pyramids of Egypt! The area called Yonaguni was recently in the news when scientists discussed the area and its origins.Some scientists question whether it is indeed a man-made structure but rather natural sandstone rock formations. Others say that the steep stairs look to be carved. What do you think?

Photograph from Dailymail

To celebration the 2026, 250th birthday(called the semquincentennial) of the United States, students in grades 3-12 can enter a contest to win a trip to a historical place in the country. Sponsored by America250, the America's Field Trip Contest involves writing a response to the questions, What does America mean to you? Deadline for entering the contest is April 16th. Learn more at American250 Contest

Archaeologists have found clay puppets inside the largest pyramid in San Isidro, El Salvador. Five puppets, four women and one man, were discovered. It is estimated the puppets, called Bolinas, date back about 2400 years! About 4 to 12 inches in length, the heads, with faces that have very detailed expressions, could be moved by strings. Even their mouths could move open and closed.

Photograph from Livescience

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Mrs. Waffenschmidt

Special thanks to EducationWorld for letting me use this image of my "alter ego" as Mrs. "Waffenschmidt!

About Gail:

I retired from teaching after 33 1/2 years in the classroom. Of that time, I taught Grade 6 Social Studies teacher for 31 1/2 years.I earned my BA in early secondary education with a concentration in social studies from SUNY Oneonta, New York, and my MST in social studies education from Binghamton University in New York. In 1988, I was awarded the Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Classroom Teacher of the Year Award from the New York State Council for the Social Studies. Additionally, in 1988, I was also awarded the Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award by the National Council for the Social Studies. I am the author of 8 books for teachers and over 35 books for children(Purple Turtle Series by Aadarsh Publishing and Odd History Series by Red Chair Press).

My work has appeared in most children's publications including:
Highlights for Children,News-O-Matic,Appleseed,,Scholastic's Super Science,,Scholastic's Science World,Jack and Jill,National Geographic World, Ranger Rick, Cobblestone, Faces, Muse Magazine,Contact Kids, US Kids,Action Magazine(Scholastic),Girls' Life,Boys' Life,American Girl, Instructor,Creative Classroom,Middle Years,Time for Kids,Scholastic News,Scholastic News Zone, Time for Kids , Ask Magazine, Dig,Calliope, Cobblestone, FACES, Studies Weekly, Glo Adventurer, and more.






Mail Gail:
Gail Hennessey

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