Week 2 - A Day at the Ocean

Sand Dollar Facts

also called: “sea cookie” and “sand cake”

-Domed shaped allows water to flow over

-Structure: helps it survive

-Small ones suck up sand in order to weigh itself down

-Found close to shore in the low intertidal zone to as deep as 30 feet

-Live right next to each other in very large groups or beds

-Their bodies are covered with tiny appendages to capture food particles small and large. Tiny cilia (extra small hairs) on the sand dollar’s spines sweep up small bits of food

-Sand dollars reproduce by spawning; male sand dollars release sperm and female sand dollars release eggs into the water during spring

-An adult sand dollar is about three inches in diameter and lives approximately eight years (by counting rings on skeleton)

Through our ProScope microscope:

Similarities with us:

Structure                       Scale                   Function

Symmetry                                                Reproduce

Feet

Mouth/teeth

 We Dissected Squid!!

 Two long arms and eight tentacles, the spots are muscles 

 This is the beak, rough thick texture 

 This is where the squid releases water in order to propel

 This male squid (no egg sac) had a large ink sac (protective mechanism) that broke

 This is the cartilage that I pulled out, transparent and think

(I also pulled out the esophagus which resembled thin floss about the whole length of the body as well)

 We all brought ingredients to class

 Fried the squid and made calamari! Yummy!

Today we participated in 100% hands on activities.  I was able to determine my level of interest and learning was heightened by this engaging inquiry practice. We incorporated a variety of technology within the lessons as well.  We did group and individual searches.  Our class portrayed the "social science environment" well.  We all discussed content related topics and findings during class time.