Classroom Bloopers Part II - 5th and 6th Grade Classes continued

Some people can tell what time it is by looking at the sun. But I have never been able to make out the numbers!
FactsYou should never look directly into the sunbecause that can seriously damage your eyes!People look at an instrument called a "sundial" totell time. The sun's shadow falling acrossthe sundial moves throughout the day, continuouslypointing to the number for the correct time.

Many dead animals in the past changed to fossils while others preferred to be oil.

FactsIt is true that over time some dead animalsbecome fossilized and some become oil --but this is a result of the particular natural forces actingon each -- not a matter of what they PREFERRED to be!

Genetics explain why you look like your father, and if you don't, why you should.

FactsGenetics is the study of how "genes" work.The genes we get from our parents do explain whywe look the way we do. But the fact that youhave some of your father's genes doesn't necessarilymean that you SHOULD look like your father.In fact, once genes from each parent are mixed together,your appearance is unique!

Vacuums are nothings. We only mention them to let them know we know they're there.

FactsIt is true that a vacuum is a space with no matter in it.But a "vacuum" can be very useful -- think about the vacuum formedwhen you use a drinking straw, and the vacuum cleaner you have at home!And don't forget that "empty space" is also a vacuum!

Some oxygen molecules help fires burn while others help make water, so sometimes it's brother against brother.

FactsA fire cannot burn without an oxygen supply,and oxygen molecules are also found in water (H2O).Oxygen has many different uses!Without oxygen to breathe, we couldn't live!Much oxygen comes from green plants and trees,so save our forests! And remember,plants and trees needs us too.They need the carbon dioxide mammalsand humans "exhale" to survive!

We say the cause of perfume disappearing is evaporation. Evaporation gets blamed for a lot of things people forget to put the top on.

FactsEvaporation is the process which changes a substancefrom a liquid or solid state to a gas.Liquids left open to exposure tothe heat in the air will evaporate.And don't forget that evaporation isalso part of the rain and snow process!

In looking at a drop of water under a microscope, we find there are twice as many H's as O's.

FactsThis is true. H2O is the chemicalname for water because water is made up of two moleculesof hydrogen (H) for each one molecule of oxygen (O).

Most books now say our sun is a star. But it still knows how to change back into a sun in the daytime.

FactsWe call the star that provides our light and servesas the center of our planetary groupthe "sun"; by definition, the sun isALWAYS a star. But it is NOT one of the starswe can see at night because it ison the other side of the earth from us at that time.

I am not sure how clouds get formed. But the clouds know how to do it, and that is the important thing.

FactsClouds form when water in lakes, oceans, rivers,and other surfaces evaporates (read about evaporation above!).The gas that is created expands and coolsas it rises, forming clouds which may eventuallyreturn to a liquid state in the form of rainor a solid state in the form of snow!

Clouds are high flying fogs.

FactsFog is a cloud that isformed so low that it rests nearthe ground or a body of water.

Clouds just keep circling the earth around and around and around. There is not much else to do!

FactsClouds are always forming and reforming over the earth.Clouds move faster and farther on windy days,but the "same" clouds are not circling the earth repeatedly!

Cyanide is so poisonous that one drop of it on a dog's tongue will kill the strongest man.

FactsCyanide is very poisonous --but if the cyanide is on the DOG's tongue,how could it kill a MAN?

A monsoon is a French gentleman.

FactsA monsoon is a seasonal wind that blows overthe northern part of the Indian Ocean and surrounding landcausing heavy rains. Monsoon conditions are createdby the difference in the heating and coolingof air over land and sea. "Monsieur," notmonsoon, is the French word for gentleman.

Thunder is a rich source of loudness.

FactsYes, thunder can be very loud when close by!The sound of thunder is caused by the sudden expansion of airthat occurs when the air is heated by a discharge of electricityfrom a bolt of lightning.

A blizzard is when it snows sideways.

FactsA blizzard is a blinding snowstorm withstrong cold winds. It occurs when a coldair mass moves out of the Arctic into thewarmer temperate zone. The heavy cold airforces the warm moist air to rise,and the rising action produces a heavy snow storm.

Isotherms and isobars are even more important than their names sound.

FactsIsotherms are lines drawn on maps to connectplaces that have the same temperature.Isobars are lines drawn on climate charts and maps to connectplaces that have the same atmospheric pressure.Both are very important tools for predicting our weather.

It is so hot in some places that the people there have to live in other places.

FactsThe earth's climate does vary widely, and it isvery hot near the equator and in the "temperate zones."However, some people have adapted tothe intense heat of such areas (like our deserts),and are able to live in those extreme climates.

The wind is like the air, only pushier.

FactsWind IS air moving across the earth's surface.The movement is caused by uneven heating of ouratmosphere by the sun. Heated air expandsand rises, and air from cooler areas then flows inunderneath to take its place. This movement (or"circulation" of air) is what we call "wind."

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