Social Studies: Ghosts

A medieval ghost.

A ghost is the spirit  of a dead person who has unfinished business in the physical world. They are often considered to be a bad omen. Some people say ghosts often appear as a thick white fog in the shape of the person that died. People say ghosts haunt certain locations, Often the place they died. People try to stop ghosts from coming back by giving the person a proper burial. And performing funeral rights. Some people try to ward off ghosts by wearing special pendents and charms.

Wikipedia: Ghosts
Wikipedia: Necromancy
Wikipedia: Undead

 

The Secret Life of a Mermaid

Science: CryptoZoology: Dragons and Dinosaurs

We often use the terms dragons and dinosaurs synonymously. Maia, you love stories and information about both, although you do differentiate between dragons that we find in mythological resources and dinosaurs in scientific resources.

At 2 years old, in 2005, we visited the Chinasaurs exhibit in Minneapolis, and that experience had an impact on you. Within a couple of months you could identify and pronounce long names for at least 20 dinosaurs. To present, each time we visit the library we come home with at least one book about dinosaurs or dragons.

Maia, you usually prefer the look of the European dragon to the Asian dragon, possibly for the reason that the European interpretation more resembles standing dinosaurs. However, you sometimes pretend to "float" like a wingless Asian dragon while hanging over a swing.

In Latin, the term draco means snake or serpent. Snakes belong in the reptile group, like dinos. You first guessed that they belonged with amphibians, probably because of the legend of La Gargouille, a water dragon.

Dragons in various mythology may breathe or spit fire, acid, or ice. You have pointed out that according to one of your storybooks, some dragons breathe bubbles, rainbows, or clouds. Dragons may have feathers or scales. You've said you prefer scales, although Saphira has feathers. Dragons may or may not have wings. You've pointed out that Chinese dragons float. Dragons come in many sizes from the size of a flea or butterfly to the size of a large dinosaur. Early European depictions described bear-sized dragons.

Asian dragons generally appear benevolent (well-meaning) and European dragons generally appear malevolent (ill-meaning). You've said that you believe dragons mean well.

Learn more:
Dinos and Dragons
Dragon Theme Page
D.R.A.G.O.N.S.
The Four Dragons

Science: CryptoZoology: Monsters and Fairy Creatures

Monster may describe a mythological or legendary creature (such as a dragon or griffin) or it may describe an entity of unusual proportions, physical (giant) or in what the creature does (violation of morality, an act believed wrongful). A monster may indicate a warning or a miracle. Mutations may prove beneficial or harmful.

Frankenstein's monster - animated organic construction
zombies - reanimated dead
King Kong - giant ape
Godzilla - mutated giant aquatic creature
Werewolves - shapeshifters, wolf-persons
Vampires - blood drinkers
ogres - large humanoid creature, man eater
giants - large persons
mutants - genetically changed creatures
mermaids - fish-persons
witches - magic practioners, herbalists, healers
elves - race of godlike creatures
imps - mischievous faery creatures

Further study:
Monster Wiki
Imps
Monstropedia

Science: Zoology: Pink River Dolphins

The Pink River Dolphin, also called the Boto Cor-de-Rosa, is the largest freshwater river dolphin. River dolphins have unfused neck vertebrae so they can turn their heads 180 degrees. The Boto looks like a grey ocean dolphin, but it is bigger and has a hump instead of a dorsal fin. The river dolphin's brain is 40 percent bigger than a human brain. See river dolphin size comparison to human.

According to Amazon folklore, the river dolphin shapeshifts to a handsome man each night then back to a dolphin in the morning. The people call him Encantado, which means "enchanted one" in Portuguese.

Check out Virtual Explorers as they set out on a boat research mission to help pink river dolphins in Peru.