Guide 6A Life Cycles
Resources
Additional activities, a behind-the-scenes gallery, recommended books, and more.
About this Guide
Life Cycle of Learning
There are some things that come up again and again in your lifetime: how to treat a sore throat, when to plant the peas in the garden, totaling up a bill. Things you may have learned years earlier in school or through life experiences come back again and again, especially when you are teaching children and grandchildren. The key is to hang on to enough knowledge that you can access the rest. Hopefully the portfolios you are constructing will reveal aspects of your own life cycle of learning.
Lesley
Additional Activities
Make More Models
Once you start making models as part of this guide’s assignment, you will quickly realize that models come in many forms: planning lists, architectural models, clothing designs…the list is endless. Try making models related to your life interests that capture your unique perspective of the world.
Awesome Amphibians
At most pet stores you will find a wide range of fish, mammals, reptiles, and even birds. But the amphibians are in short supply. The same holds for museums and zoos. Spend some time getting to know the amphibians, the link between aquatic fish and terrestrial reptiles.
Behind-the-Scenes
Unusual Alliance
Our albino aquatic frog spends a lot of time with a male Betta fish. We don’t have an explanation, but it is an interesting relationship.
Big Appetite
Some amphibians have a large (and expensive) appetite. Ceratophrys (Pac-man frogs) can eat mice and other amphibians, and with good care can live up to 10 years in captivity.
A life cycle display showing concepts in this 6A guide and the next 6B guide.
Children’s books sometimes have of the best illustrator-author combinations, packed with accessible information. Textbooks on the other hand, have been repeating many of the same two-dimensional low-color images for decades. Plus, if you can involve younger family members in “generational learning” it can be time and money well spent.
Best Weather
Everyone wants to head to the beach in the sunshine, but for photography and video, the lighting on a foggy day can be excellent. Plus you have the place to yourself.
Building Perspective
If you return to the same location repeatedly, see if you can observe something new each time, possibly by changing position, using a wider range of senses, or just sitting quietly waiting for animals to unfurl.
Recommended Books
Its a classic with twists, turns, and controversies.
This may be a children's book, but the quirky art and inclusion of researchers like Rosalind Franklin make it a winner for all ages.
Be ready in the field for the occasional amphibian (and reptile) sightings.
Build a Library
Whether its digital or print, collect resources that assist in exploring, describing, and explaining the natural world.
Life Cycles Product Page
Complete this guide’s products before advancing on to the next guide
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Module 6 Overview
This Guide
6A: Life Cycles