Feb
If you have an animal lover in your home, read on. I happened across some amazing pictures this morning and simply have to share them with you.
Pictured is a leucistic king penguin. Learn more about where the photograph was taken in this article. The Smithsonian article linked therein may be difficult for readers to decode and comprehend independently, but the 14 penguin facts it contains is more accessible. Nonetheless, if the photograph has piqued your child’s interest, (s)he may persevere through text that may be challenging. We know that, as well as being curious, our children love a challenge and the satisfaction of overcoming something that was initially hard for them. If they are interested, this may be a good time to try some vocabulary work and explore them meaning of leucistic.
Leucism refers to an abnormal condition of reduced pigmentation affecting various animals (such as birds, mammals, and reptiles) that is marked by overall pale color or patches of reduced coloring and is caused by a genetic mutation which inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin.
Leucism derives from leuc + ism. Leuc- is the Latin variant of leuk- from the Greek leukos meaning “white”. Leucistic is the adjective deriving from this term.
Pupils may be familiar with the stem from leukaemia/leukemia, a cancer in which the bone marrow produces excess abnormal white blood cells which fail to function properly. Science students will know white blood cells are also known as leukocytes/leucocytes and their function is to protect the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders.
Longtime followers may recall I previously shared footage of leucistic giraffes in Kenya. Can your child find other examples?
As online learning continues for so many of us, maintaining motivation can be a challenge. I’m always on the lookout for photographs, videos, newspaper articles etc. that will capture the imagination of the pupils in my care and get them talking, wondering and investigating – a prompt that will stand out from the crowd so to speak! I’m grateful to @yves_adams for his contribution to my lessons today. His instagram is a delight and certainly a fortuitous Friday find for me that will form part of many a language lesson I’m sure.
Have a great weekend everyone!