Max is Back in Team Bond!

May 13, 2013

Hello!  It's me again, Max the Madagascar!  I am back at Glengary Elementary hanging out with the third graders and helping them learn about the structures of life. This time I decided to bring some of the younger members of our group.  Mrs. Bond was surprised to see such little ones sent.  I was hiding out in one of the tubes when she showed the class some of the smaller cockroaches.  When the group of kids huddled around her later on, and she got me out, they all jumped back surprised at my size.  It was hilarious.  Even Mrs. Bond laughed.  Many of the the kids were scared to hold me.  They preferred the "babies" as they are calling them.  They eventually got used to us.  They weren't quite sure what to think about the mites that are crawling all over us.  I do remember that my first year here at Glengary some of the kids thought the mites were our babies.  Again...another funny memory! 

To give you an idea of the difference in sizes, Mrs. Bond took a picture of me and one of the little guys.  Here is the photo she took!

I think it would be great if the kids would research the life cycle of a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach and see if they are right.  Am I hanging out with babies, or are they a bit older?  It would be interesting to see if they can find out.  Perhaps Mrs. Bond will let them add their facts to this blog. 

That's it for now!  Again, it's great to be back at Glengary!

Sincerely,
Max the Madagascar

Max the Madagascar Returns!

Hi! I’m back at Glengary Elementary again this year. The students of Team Bond enjoyed taking me and my friends out of our habitat today. They drew drawings of me, and had fun letting all of us crawl on the desks, hands, and even arms. Some of my friends moved pretty fast. Typically, we use our legs, which have suction-type devices to hold on, even when we are upside down. Some of my friends were not holding on too well, as they fell right to the floor. Don’t worry, since we have such hard shells (exoskeletons), they weren’t hurt too bad…just a bit shaken up. Next time the kids get us out, I hope they are more careful.

The kids noticed that we were tickly, as we crawled on their hands. One of the students thought we looked like a large roly poly. We are similar because we have bands, or segments. Another group noticed that their cockroach was darker…perhaps getting ready to molt. We’ll see! (There was a friend that was complaining that his “outfits” were getting tighter. Perhaps the kids will be right!) Until next week! See ya!

Having Fun with the Kids

The kids were able to take me out and play with me. I was a bit annoyed, as my friends and I (there are 8 of us in the container) were trying to sleep in the toliet paper tubes. I kept trying to get back in the tube, but the kids kept finding me. Finally Mrs. Conn, the mom that was helping the kids, pulled the tubes out of the container to allow the kids to get us out easily. The kids commented that my friends and I had sticky legs. I caused the most commotion when I crawled up Jared's arm and got right up by his shoulder! It's fun to freak them out a bit...but they loved it! They all had fun adding entries to their Diary of a Madagascar books.

Just Hanging Out Dead and Alive!

Hello! It's me, Max the Madagascar again! You can tell that I have dramatically changed over the last couple of days. Or can you? Do you know which one I am? Am I checking out the books to the right of my habitat or am I staring at the anchor charts hanging from the ceiling in Mrs. Hamlin and Locke's class? You decide! I will be eager to read your replies on Monday, when I return to this blog. Have a great weekend!

Love, Max the Madagascar

I'm Back to My Attractive Self!

I just knew it! This morning when the kids arrived, I was back to normal. The teachers had a hard time figuring out which one I was, as I am in a habitat with 7 other Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches! They were able to determine which one I was by noticing that I am now the largest one in the habitat. My molted shell is still next to the tube that I am laying on. So...to answer the question...how long will I stay white...it really only took me about 12 hours to turn back! I will keep you posted on any other changes that I go through. Right now Team Bond is creating Diary of a Madagascar small books using these photos too! They have enjoyed seeing the rapid changes I have gone through.

Talk to ya soon!

Love, Max the Madagascar

I'm Already Changing!

4:30 May 19, 2010

I thought I would post a new entry tomorrow, but I just couldn't wait. The teachers noticed that I was already changing colors, so I thought I would let you see what I looked like...mid-change. You will notice that my darker colors are already coming out. I bet by the time kids get into school tomorrow, I will be back to my attractive self.

I Molted!

I was feeling a bit bloated today. I didn't want to admit it, but I had put on a bit of weight...I'm sure you wouldn't have been able to notice this with my hard shell...but I knew it. So at approximately 12:00 PM today, I decided it was time to admit I grew in size. I started at my head...creeping through my shell. The kids in the class were quite concerned...they thought I was having a baby. What type of animals have babies that pop out of their heads???? Crazy kids...and teachers too! So...I started to emerge. It took around 30 minutes to creep out of my shell. All the kids in Mrs. Bonkowski and Mrs. Hamlin's class watched on, as I separated myself from my old "outfit." So long smaller size! I am ready to grow into my new shell. Right now kids are wondering...am I in pain? Why am I so white? How long will it take for me to turn dark brown again? What will I do with my old shell? Keep posted as I will be blogging each day to let you know what I am up to!

Max the Madagascar