Morning Starters: Autumn 1 - Great Escapes
Did You Know?
Occasionally, ocean-going cetaceans such as whales, porpoises and dolphins are unable to escape becoming beached on land. When cetaceans become stranded, their massive bodies can suffer severe dehydration and internal injuries due to the immense weight pressing on their organs. Rescue efforts often involve coordinating with marine biologists and veterinarians to return the animals to the water quickly.
Word Challenge
List some two-syllable words that rhyme with the word ‘whale’.
Example: detail, retail, …
Grammar Challenge
Rewrite the sentence below with the comma in a different place. How does this change the meaning of the sentence?
As the sea shimmered blue, whales sang their mournful tunes.
Challenge: Write a follow-on sentence that includes an example of personification.
Number Challenge
Fact: A blue whale’s heart beats around 33 times a minute.
How many times will a blue whale’s heart beat in …
1) an hour?
2) a day?
3) the month of July?
Critical Thinking
Why do you think whales sometimes become stranded?