Ms. Cournia's Wiki Page!
Hello everyone, this is the front page to my virtual classroom. Although I will place my general thoughts and biographical information onto this front page, please follow the links below to see assignments, readings, and my photo gallery. Your comments are very welcome.
Thur 12/4
Hello, dear Physics and Algebra students. As you can probably tell, I haven't had a chance to check my blog in a few days, and although I'm happy to see that some of you are posting questions and comments, a few of you have gone more than a little over the top. This is an EDUCATIONAL forum, not a place for you to be posting things back and forth to your friends--please save that for your facebook pages, etc.
I hope your projects are going well. I look forward to seeing you soon.
We arrived in Quito, Ecuador today and will spend two nights here before I head home. The Galapagos Islands were amazing and I can't wait to share my pictures with you!
Ms. Cournia
Fri 11/28
Today, we boarded the ship that will transport us throughout a variety of Islands in the Galapagos. By mid-afternoon, we had reached a different part of the same island--San Cristobal. There, we took pangas (boats) to the shore and went snorkeling in the beautiful water. I saw lots of angelfish with beautiful yellow tails, spotted eagle rays, a rainbow-colored fish and much more. It was beautiful! Tonight we will spend our first night sleeping on this boat. I'm pretty sure I will be rocked to sleep--it is very peaceful out here!
Sat 11/29-Isla Espanola
Hola! We just returned from a visit to the island of Espanola, where we saw marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, galapagos doves, galapagos hawks, lava lizards, and baby albatrosses. I have to say that so far, the waved albatross and the marine iguana are my two favorite animals. Unfortunately, the waved albatross has recently been placed on the critically endangered list because fishermen in Peru are fishing for the albatross and then eat its meat. The baby albatrosses can be left by their parents for a week at a time while the parent albatross goes foraging for food in the ocean. Although we did not see any adult albatrosses on land, we did see a few adult albatrosses flying through the air. They are so graceful and beautiful. I'll have lots of pictures to share when I return. Feel free to leave comments or questions on the blog!
This afternoon, we are going to the island of Floreana and I will be deep-water scuba diving and will hopefully see a few sharks...aaack! I'll let you know more about that later.
05 December 2008
I can't wait to see your pictures. Have you seen the kelp forest? Love, Erin
04 December 2008
21:12 by : Please take a moment to read my above message. This is not a forum for your personal messages!
Thanks, Ms. Cournia
14:44 by Kelsey Sirgy: Mrs. Cournia can you make plans for the 23rd of Feb for my wedding?
im gonig to be a higgins!!!
14:41 by anonymous: Miss cournia katie was telling me last night on facebook about how mush she misses you and can't wait to see you
14:38 by Phil: Ms. Cournia, i miss you so much you need to come back so i can see your shining face again. see you soon sunshine. hope your having fun
14:37 by Katie Waters: Ms. Cournia, I just wanted to let you know that you are the best part of every day for me, I miss you so much and I can't wait to see you
14:13 by Kelsey Sirgy: I miss youuu Mrs. cournia
>>
03 December 2008
12:47 by Mark Scheidler: ms. cournia you're the best..you are definetely the very best dressed..although you give me hard tests..i must say that im obsessed!...with you
12:45 by Katie Waters: i really miss you J
just want to say hey
hope you have a good time
look, i can ryme!
12:39 by Mark Schiedler: "If you roll an orange across a table, what physical force brings it to a halt?
"Pulp Friction!"
12:38 by Mark Schiedler: Q: What did one photon say to the other photon?
I'm sick and tired of your interference.
12:37 by Jack: hi miss cournia my projectis going well i have three source but i have all the information. I hope you are having fun on your trip. I will see you next week when usc has lost.
12:31 by : what did the galapogos iguana say to the african elephant?................................................. i'll miss you when you're gone
Violets are Blue
thats my face
when im missing you
10:14 by Info man: Marine Iguanas (Iguanidae): The moment you arrive, you'll be tripping over these creatures. This is the only lizard in the world that lives in the ocean, and the three species seen on the islands are endemic. It's brilliant to see them when they're mating, as their black skin turns bright red when the iguanas want to attract a mate.
Land Iguanas (Iguanidae): Also endemic to the islands, these colorful creatures are nothing short of spectacular. They prefer prickly pear cactus, standing on their hind legs to reach the flowering plant. They have a leathery, tough tongue and don't need to remove the spines from the cactus before eating.
Lava Lizards (Iguanidae): Not as big or brilliant, but just as interesting, are these endemic lizards found virtually everywhere on the islands. They sometimes have a splash of orange or red decorating their chin and look like they're doing pushups when showing off for a lady lizard. There are 7 species on the islands.
It's impossible to leave the islands without becoming an avid bird watcher! The Galapagos Islands are famous for the great variety of bird life and how they evolved.
The Cormorant (Phalacrocoracidae): The only flightless cormorant in the world! Over years, it evolved into a great swimmer, losing the capacity to fly. To see this bird, you have to get to the sest side of Isabela. It's well worth the time and trip to see this amazing torpedo in the water.
Penguins (Spheniscidae): This is the only penguin found in equatorial waters - warm waters. It's the most northerly penguin in the world, as the rest are found in the Southern Hemisphere. Isla Isabela and Fernandina have the most penguins, but if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a small colony at Bartolome.
The Waved Albatross (Diamedeidae): The waved albatross is a resident of the Galapagos, and if you make it to the islands from April to December, it can be seen on Isla Santa Cruz. Absolutely graceful in the air, it can be away for months and even years at sea without touching land. Landing and taking off, however, is comical as the birds line up like they might at JFK Airport in New York City, waiting for the control tower to give them the go-ahead. The courtship of this bird is one of a kind - well worth a trip to the Galapagos in October when it generally occurs.
Boobies (Sulidae): Blue-footed, red-footed, and masked boobies can be found on most islands in the archipelago -- the blue-footed and masked being the most commonly seen. They're incredible divers, plunging to a depth of 8 meters to catch their prey. One of our favorite memories of the Galapagos is snorkeling when one of the boobies dived into the water less than 3 meters in front of us and caught a fish. They're colorful, interesting, and fun to watch (especially during their courtship display!).
The Frigatebird (Fregatidae): These scoundrels don't like to do much fishing, and so you can see them trying to distract boobies and other birds to snatch the prey caught by others. They are most spectacular during courtship when the male bird inflates the flap of bright-red skin found under his beak. It looks like a great red balloon and is stunningly colorful.
The Famous Finches (Fringillidae): What would the Galapagos be without Darwin's finches? Keep your eyes open because they are found everywhere and might even eat right out of your hand! There are 13 endemic species differentiated by the size and form of their beaks.
It's a fun task to try to identify them after being there a while, though not easy! Other birds to look for are the flycatchers, swallows, gulls, terns, oystercatchers, hawks, flamingos, pelicans, tropicbirds, herons and more!
For dedicated bird watchers, try The Collins Field Guide to the Birds of the Galapagos, by Michael Harris et al. or A Guide to the Birds of the Galapagos Islands, by Isabel Castro and Antonia Phillips.
Mammals on the Galapagos include two species of bat, two endemic rice rat species and its most famous mammals - the Galapagos sea lion and fur seal. You will never tire of seeing these playful, beautiful creatures swim through the waters and waddle on land. Be sure not to touch the babies, though, because the mother's recognize their young by scent, and sun-screen, deodorant and human odors can camoflage the scent, leaving the baby motherless.
Under the sea is a world rich with tropical fish, corals, sharks, eels, rays, dolphins and more
10:09 by spencer h: the hello comment wasn't me. just so ya kno
02 December 2008
18:43 by Katie Stempel: ohh and I look forward to hear about your scuba diving! I'm getting certified this summer.
18:40 by Katie Stempel: Hi, Ms. Cournia! I hope you're having fun, and we miss you! I can't wait to here about the trip when you come back.
15:24 by Henry Prosser: I'm so excited for the next unit in physics. Please come back!
13:08 by Shirley: So wonderful to see what you are doing! How very exciting - we are proud of you. You have come a long way - from your Rotary Scholarship years! Hugs and love to you.
12:21 by : We hope you are having a blast! Bring back lots of pictures. Thank you for letting us watch the galapagos video.
Love,
Your 4th period Algebra class
12:05 by Katie Waters: Christine is so sweet to try and take the blame for me. However I think we all know that I was the distracting one and the classroom would be an overall better learning environment if I sat facing the wall. Thank you for understanding
12:05 by Jack: hope it snows in portland, have a great trip and have fun scuba diving.
12:03 by christine webb: no no no katie don't say that...you know im the one that talks all the time...i deserve every bit of the punishment i receive. In conclusion,
i am sorry for the pain i cause through my numerous disruoptions...maybe it would be better if you just took away my desk and chair and made me sit on the floor...that would build character.
sincerely,
Christine
12:02 by phil: hey i wasnt the one who rwote you are my sunshine...
12:01 by Katie Waters: I'm actually the one who talks all the time in class. Not Christine. So I think you should move me to the table by myself instead
11:56 by travis: Miss cournie i hope you see a lot of cute animals
11:55 by Gabe: cournie i just ate a whole thing of pickles over the weekend because i am depressed about the civil war
11:51 by Katie Waters: he said you were his sunshine....awkkkward
11:48 by Jack : hello ms. cournia. USC is going to choke this weekend and will not be in the rose bowl and Alabama will win against florida.
11:46 by Tyler: I can't wait for you to get back
have fun!!!!!!!!!!
11:46 by anonymous: Hey J Cournia. We miss you. Hope you meet a bunch of nice animals :)
11:45 by Phil: Dear Mrs Cournia,
I miss you so much. I can't even put it into words. I hope you are having an AMAZING time in the Galapagos..... You are my sunshine!
11:43 by phil: guess what ms cournia
usc is gunna beat ucla then it a trip to the rose bowl :)
11:14 by Spencer H and Ben C: Heyyy! we're working really hard just so you know. But we lost against lo in football. thats not good. but the ducks won! But Ben wanted the Beavers to win. even though they got like abosolutely killed. but the Sooners jumped Texas and they are now going to play in the Big 12 championship game:( mr uithof should teach you the qi gong exercises so we can warm up for school every morning. can you go swimming there? that would be a lot of fun. it's really cold here so we can't really. Sammy says hi too. do you have music there? but any way i hope you have a good time and learn a lot!
11:02 by Riley: Me and spencer hawes want to buy the islands and make them into our own country, and make the giant tortoises our national mascot!
-Have Fun!
10:54 by Taylor Scroggy and Baylee Butzer: Hi Ms. Cournia! We both hope that you don't get attacked by our animals!! haha. hope your having fun and can't wait till you get back!
10:39 by Kim: Hey Jennie! I was wondering about the fishermen eating the albatross. Although it's on the endangered list, I'm wondering if it's considered a delicacy? Is it indicative of a larger food issue? Do they eat the albatross because the albatross are eating the fish they are trying to catch? Keep on rocking the islas!
10:36 by West Livaudais: Hey Jennie...I hope to the extent that you can you are soaking up the Grandeur of God!! See you in a few.
"THE WORLD is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
09:16 by Secret Buddy: Hola! Soy uno de tus alumnos! Espero que tengan su diversión! Apuesto a que no saben quién es!
01 December 2008
Tell the sharks "People are friends, not food!"
Dad
22:03 by Peggy Lucas: Dear Jennie: Oh, my gosh! What a fabulous experience it sounds like you're having! We are all so proud of you and your love of learning and love of helping the globe...can't wait to see you next week and to hear of your adventures! Have some fun, too!! :>)
19:52 by Chris Smart: Hi Jennie! What an adventure. I hear that sharks are very docile if they have eaten before they see you!!I am sure that we will look forward to hearing everything about your trip when you return. Best wishes!
17:54 by Chris Thurley: Hey Jen! Sounds brilliant! See you when you return!
17:44 by Len Nelson: Well-done, Jennie. As your former teacher, I am very proud of your energy and innovation. Keep up the great work!
17:05 by Carol: Hey Jennie,
I can't believe you are diving. That is great!
Have a blast!
I just finished with 6th period today. Three classes down; 7th period tomorrow. Students seemed to be engaged in this project. Your trip sounds very interesting. I can't wait until I see some of your pictures. I have learned a lot about the Galapagos with this project. See you next week, Gregory
15:28 by Ryan Donlon: I MISS YOU!!!! Hope you get a nice tan.
15:28 by anonymous:
30 November 2008
08:45 by Catherine : Hi, Jennie! It's so great to experience the Galapagos through your eyes! I hope you are having a wonderful time. We miss you! Love, Catherine
29 November 2008
10:14 by Kev & Vee: Hi Jennie from us three! We've been at home for almost 3 days now and we're getting used to life with little Joshua. He sleeps well, but it's not so peaceful when he's hungry! Vee's doing a great job of feeding him. Love and best wishes, Kev, Vee and Joshua.
28 November 2008
22:44 by Mom and Dad: Hi Jennie! Sorry we've missed your calls. . .missed your cheery voice! Saw your picture on one of the other blogs. . .sound like you are all having a great time. We're anxious to hear more! Love, Mom and Dad
27 November 2008
06:47 by anonymous: Happy Thanks giving
25 November 2008
23 November 2008
07:18 by anonymous: have fun
