First thing this morning, Caitlin calmly called me over to the classroom sink. She showed me that we had a buggy little critter running around inside! I’d never seen anything like it, so I scooped it up and brought it over to the document camera to show everyone.
Before the days of Louise our Media Cart and her Ladibug document camera, I would have had a swarming huddle of students around me… all trying to see what I was holding. I would have had to then settle them into their seats and walk the specimen around the room so everyone could get a peek. Instead, the experience became more of a show and tell (well, actually it was more like Show – because I didn’t know enough to Tell). when I provided our furry (I think she was furry) friend with her Big Screen debut!
She looks tiny, here! She was about 2 inches long.
Our Ladibug zoooooooomed in for a closer look at the scampery little creature.
And now, hopefully – with the power of the Interweb – it will be a Showed and Tell tomorrow – our long-legged, furry (?) friend is no longer in the classroom because my Personal Assistant, Lily, and my Botanist, Eloise safely escorted her (him?) to the “safety” of the Great Outdoors.
So, do you know what our Mystery Visitor is (was)?? Share your expertise!!
Your first guess looks good. This is a beautiful centipede. Always handle with care. A centipede can give a painful sting.
Dear Mr. Runeman,
Thank you for warning us about how a centipede can sting. We almost touched it! Thank you for stopping by our blog and helping us figure out what our Mystery Visitor was. We appreciate all the facts you gave us and we’ll keep our eyes peeled for more creatures in the classroom.
Visit again soon,
Your new friends,
Room 204
Dear Mrs. Brooks and Room 204,
Wow! You are all so inquisitive (and brave!)Thanks for sharing a picture of your very cool creature!
Sincerely,
Ms. Sawyer 🙂
You’re welcome, Ms. Sawyer!
Next time, we’ll have to bring it on over to see you in YOUR classroom! Hee!!!
School is SO fun!
Love,
Mrs. Brooks
It was very fun to bring the centipede outside that morning.
signed,
Lily
Hi Lily!
That’s where having a job of Personal Assistant comes in handy – for those jobs that need doing that I could never decide which friend to choose. I’m glad you enjoyed the 204 Release Program, lol.
Love,
Mrs. Brooks
Mrs. Brooks,
When I heard about the mystery visitor that you had in the classroom today, I had to visit the blog to see it myself. You were all so brave to investigate…I would have run in the opposite direction!!
Thanks for sharing!
Kristin Gonsalves
Hi Kristin!
I was giggling with Caitlin about the day before at a cookout, where some went a little crazy because a salamander/newt thing ran over her foot. I scooped it right up and held it so that the kids could see it before I took it off and let it go. Sounds like I was smarter this time, though – but using a cup to capture it, ha ha. I usually hold caterpillars – and this sure wasn’t one! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!!
Take care,
Suzy
I would have ran in the other dereshin too!!!!
Hee Hee, Brianna! Some day, you might be a teacher and you’ll be scooping up bugs all over the place to make your students happy!
Nite nite!
Love,
Mrs. Brooks
Dear Mrs. Brooks,
We found what the mystery bug is. It is called Scutigera coleoptrata and it’s real name is the house centipede.
Your friend,
Caitlin
Caitlin – great Googling! I can’t believe I am as old as I am and I’ve never seen one before! So fun – thanks for checking!
Love,
Mrs. Brooks
Dear Mrs. Brooks,
Congratulations on your award! You are a great example to your students and other adults!
Your hard work, determination, and belief in yourself earned you well deserved recognition!
We are all very happy for you and we sure are glad our son had you as his teacher last year!
Hugs,
Ken, Kathleen, Kenneth & Jack Braga
Hi Mrs. Brooks,
I was just reading up on your blog and noticed the mystery bug. I’m surprised William wasn’t able to identify it. When we lived in Back Bay we found a number of those in the basement of our brownstone. What you have there is a house centipede. Despite a scary appearance, they are harmless and in fact helpful, as they eat a number of “bad” bugs, such as silverfish.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutigera_coleoptrata
I don’t know how common house centipedes are, but thankfully they seem to be pretty shy. Watching one run around is enough to give most people nightmares!
Best,
– Brian
Hey Mrs. Brooks.
Nice talking to you again.
When I saw that critter,looked so wierd looking.
I would’ve ran out of the room if I saw that bug.
Well say hi to Caitlin for me and say thanks for looking up the bugs name. Well I might see you tommorrow.Say hi to room 204 for me.
#9 from last year,
Alexis
HI Alexis!!!
I miss you! How fun that you stopped by and left such a long comment
( you KNOW how I LOVE those!!). I didn’t know you weren’t a fan of bugs! You never know, someday you might be, ha ha. Hope you’re loving Grade 4 and I’ll certainly say hello to my friends in 204 :).
Have a good night!
Love,
Mrs. Brooks