As I have mentioned, I volunteer for www.readingtokids.org. It’s one Saturday a month. Check them out you may enjoy volunteering or supporting them in other ways. For January’s ReadingtoKids Event “Mysteries and New Adventures”, we read “The Unforgettable Logan Foster” by Shawn Petters to a group of 3rd Graders. What a Great & Fun way to start the New Year with Stories of People using Their Gifts to Help Others! What if You discovered Your Parents were SuperHeroes! Or Even Your Abuela (Grandmother)! Super Abuela! The kids got a laugh from that. What Powers would they Have and How would they use them to make a better World?
We asked the kids what SuperPowers they would like. How would You answer that question? Our 3rd Graders responses: Immortal, Invisible, to Fly, Spiderman Powers, Cat Abilities, Speed, and I suspect I’m forgetting a few. Unlike Logan I do not have an eidetic memory. Our crafts revolved around making Superheroes, Robots, Spaceships and even a couple Valentine’s Day Cards. When I was a kid in Elementary School there were no Money Trees on our street in Lawndale, CA. With my best friends and second house away neighbors we used plain cardboard to make Superheroes to entertain ourselves. “Believe it or Not” Millions of Years later, I still have them! They were very helpful for making templates for the kids to color, cut out, pose, and inspire their own designs.
I brought cardboard from shoe boxes for the Spaceship. Bending back one edge allows it to stand. Card Stock was easier to cut for the Superheroes. However, you can find thin pieces of cardboard that cut just as easily. An empty tissue box or the cardboard used in packaging clothing are usually thin enough. As you can see, I still have my comic books too! I think it’s time for the Comic Collection to find a new home. Collectors Contact Me for Details! Also, there is a second book “The Unforgettable Logan Foster and the Shadow of Doubt” by Shawn Peters. I checked it out from the Library. It’s turning out to be just as fun as the first book. Check them out yourself and enjoy Logan’s Adventures.
I suppose You’re Asking, “Now what does all this have to do with Dinosaur Superheroes?” Well, this book got me thinking. What would a Prehistoric Superhero look like? I don’t think you would ever see a T-Rex in Spandex. But, what if a T-Rex had X-Ray Vision? We already know they had great eye sight. With X-Ray Vision a T-Rex could see a dinosaur hiding behind a tree waiting to steel eggs from a briefly unattended nest! They could Save the Day! Although they would probably eat the offender. Hey, they are carnivores after all. Or how about a Pterosaur rescuing a dinosaur that climbed too high in a tree. Pterosaurs were most likely brightly colored and with their fancy head gear they certainly did not need costumes either. I guess if it was a mammal in the tree, it would become food too. A Team of Raptors could be like the Justice League in comic books. Each Raptor could have a unique superpower – Fire, Freezing, Invisibility, Force Fields, Control over the Atom – Become Gigantic or Microscopic. Many Cultures believed in animals with special abilities. The Aztec’s Dragon of Fire & Lightening – Xiuhcoatl. The Aztecs believed Xiuhcoatl guided the Sun across the Sky. Now That’s Pretty Super! What would be Your Dinosaur Superhero? The Imagination has no limits!
Stay Tuned for More Dinosaur Fun Facts, Fiction & Crafts!
Here are 3 of my favorites Museums. Remember Social Distancing & Masks to keep You & Others Safe while Everyone Enjoys Their Learning Experience. Consider a Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Check out the latest Activities on their site.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Here are four books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.
1-2-3 Draw Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals A step by step guide by Freddie Levin (2001)
Draw 50 Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals by Lee J. Ames (1977)
Draw it Dinosaurs by Patricia Walsh (2006)
I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst (2003)
Stay Safe & Well.
Please Remember to Wear Masks & Social Distance as Appropriate Not everyone has been Vaccinated. And even vaccinated many Young & Old have compromised immune systems. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
I used watercolors to make Dinosaur Designs on my N95 Masks. I couldn’t get a yes or no from 3M regarding any impact this might have to the effectiveness of the mask. Many Museums sell Dinosaur Themed Masks Check them Out!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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