Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Indiana Bat

Last weekend I spent the night at my grandparent’s cabin in Owen County, Indiana. The cabin is situated next to a small lake and is in the middle of a wooded area.

Having spent much time at “the lake” during my childhood, I have always been ready to encounter the wild side of nature. Frogs, lizards, snakes, spiders, opossums, raccoons, and beavers are just a few of the critters one might encounter.

But this visit was a bit different. It was around midnight, and I was talking to my sister in the family room. All of a sudden, I saw a small black shadow dart between us. Back and forth it flew as my sister and I ducked our heads out of the way.
Soon, I realized we were cohabitating with a BAT! Yes, a real, live BAT!
After a minute or so, the little fur ball flew toward the ceiling and held tight to the wooden wall. And that is where we left our tiny friend. When we woke up the next morning, the bat was gone. Hopefully it had left the same way it had come in.
 One thing I knew for sure is that I had found another MUSE! And I couldn’t wait to do some research!
The bat I had witnessed was most likely an Indiana Bat. Yes, Indiana has its own species of bats. The reason they are called Indiana bats is because more than half of this species’ population hibernates in the caves of Indiana.
Sadly, I found out that the Indiana bat is endangered. This is mostly due to human disturbances. When people go caving they may spook the bats out of hibernation. This causes them to use too much of their stored energy, which causes them to die. So, please, stay away from caves during the hibernation months of bats.
The Indiana bat is tiny. It grows about two inches long, although its wing span can reach up to nine inches. Most Indiana bats weigh about one ounce.
At dusk, you can witness these little guys darting around hunting insects. The Indiana bat eats only flying insects including moths, beetles, and mosquitoes. YAY! Chow down, my friends!
Female bats give birth to one “pup” in late June. The pup will be able to fly after one month.
With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these “what if” questions will help you get started.
WHAT IF your main character found people intentionally disturbing bats during their hibernation? Maybe they are trying to capture the bats to sell to pet stores. What would your main character do about this?
WHAT IF Indiana bats were mythical creatures in disguise? Instead of a vampire, what do Indiana bats morph into?
WHAT IF an Indiana bat landed on your main character’s shoulder and spoke something in his or her ear. What would it say, and how would this advance your plot?
The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own “what if” questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.
Grab a cup of hot cocoa, a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.
With Imagination,
Professor Watermelon
P.S. The word of the day is “hibernation”. Here is the definition: to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals.

17 comments:

  1. What if bats are vampires? What if a bat wants to eat dinner with us? What if a bat could fly an airplane or drive a car? What if bats ruled the universe? What if a bat eats an octopus?

    Mike Robinson

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  2. What if bats wrote "what if" questions about us? What if bats invaded the world? What if there was a bat flavored pizza? What if computers were made out of bat fuzz? What if bats ate cheese? What if bats could do majic tricks? What if on Halloween bats turned into ghouls? What if a bat wants to live in your bedroom?

    Chris Robinson

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  3. Great job, Chris and Mike! These are very creative. I'm impressed! See you tomorrow (smile).

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  4. what if the Indiana bat could speak french? what if the Indiana bat could sing? what if the Indiana bat could dance free-style? what if the Indiana bat didn't have wings? what if the Indiana bat could bounce a ball? what if the Indiana bat could bragg? what if the Indiana bat could write a story with an octopus? what if the Indiana bat was an engineer? what if the Indiana bat didn't fly? what if the Indiana bat was a stylish fashion designer? what if The Indiana bat could shop? what if the Indiana bat cried like a dog? what if the Indiana bat was related to Frankin stein? what if the Indiana bat made the basketball team? what if the bat cheated in track by flying? what if the Indiana bat was on tv? what if the Indiana bat ate until it died? what if the Indiana bat loved cellphones? What if the Indiana bat got in class? what if the Indiana bat died of embarrassment? what if the Indiana bat ate sugar? what if the Indiana bat was taller than a Lion? what if the Indiana bat didn't have feet? what if the Indiana bat loved ice tea? what if the Indiana bat hated blood? what if the Indiana bat loved math? what if the Indiana bat ate a rat? what if the Indiana bat at a vampire? what if a Indiana bat loved surprise attacks? what if the Indiana bat loved to cook? what iff the Indiana bat got scared of a roller coaster? what if An Indiana bat chase cats? what if the Indiana bat hated Ice cream? what if the Indiana bat loved rainbows? what if the Indiana bat loved dragons?

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  5. What if the Indiana bat cared about the environment? what if the Indiana bat got the lottery ticket? what if the Indiana bat sweated? what if the Indiana bat got fat? what if the Indiana bat had layers of fat? what if the Indiana bat went broke? what if the Indiana bat loved cake? what if the Indiana bat loved junk-food? what if the Indiana bat had a tail long a dogs? what if the Indiana bat had a job?

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  6. What if bats were extinct?
    What if bates could walk on water?
    What if they were birds?
    What if they were lizard wizards?
    What if all the books in the world were authored by Indiana bats?
    What is they were illustrate?
    What if bats took over the world?
    What if bats traded places with humans?
    What if one of the Indiana bats were superman?
    What if one of the Indiana bats were BATMAN?
    What if the Indiana bats made donuts?
    What if bats were evil flowers?
    What if indiana bats ate nectar?
    What if they had spots?
    What if the bate ate fruit?

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  7. rhea what if the indian bat drank tea what if the indiana bat hated icecream what if the indiana bat got scared of rollercosters what if theindiana bat got in school hated flying what if loved to cook what if indiana bat would draw on your clipstand what if the indiana what ifidiana bat wore clothes what if indiana bat read books what if indiana bat slept in your bedroom what if indiana bat ate your food what if indiana bat chewed on your clothes what if indiana bat did your homework what if indiana bat loved your stuffed animals what if indiana bat ate with you at breakfast what if indiana bat played with dolls what if indiana bat chased cats what if indiana bat loved math what if indiana bats were stylish whaat if indiana bats liked walking your dog what if indiana bat kissed a frog what if indiana bats drank juice what if indiana bats played with bat friends what if indiana bats loved reading books what if indiana bats were storekeepers what if the indiana bat slept like a baby what if the indiana bat screamed if he heard your mothers voice what if the indiana bat put you to sleep what if the indiana bat suprised you when you woke up what if indiana bat caught flies what if the indiana bat liked looking at rainbows what if the indiana bat ate cereal what if the indiana bat cleaned your room what if the indiana bat tought you your ABC'S what if the indiana bat typed typed your name what if the indiana bat read your thoughts what if the indiana bat led the army what if the indiana bat told you his biggest secret what if the indiana bat slurped up soup what if the indiana bat called the police what if the indiana bat caught fire flies every night for you what if the indiana bat told you to listen to him what if the indiana bat potty trained you what if indiana bat asked you to get him a shovel what if Indiana bat did your homework what if indiana bat ate all the food in the pantry what if the indiana bat made a nickname up for you what if indiana bat brought you new clothes what if indiana bat nibbled your clothes what if indiana bat loved your cell phone what if indiana bat told you not to lie what if indiana bat brought you a watch what if indiana bat took you to San Francisco for a vacation what if indiana bat cooked in a restaurant what if indiana bat taught you how to write what if indiana bat was your teacher what if indiana bat was your best friend what if indiana bat found your hamster what if indiana bat taught you how to sing

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  8. what if indiana bats invented sticky notes? what if indiana bats had lead wings? what if there was a indiana bat flavored candy? what if indiana bats liked fireworks? what if an indiana bat was inside a jack-o-lantern? what if indiana bats tried to attack the moon? what if indiana bats read "scientific american"? what if indiana bats wrote "muse"? what if an indiana bat danced on a violin? what if indiana bats hauled cars? what if indiana bats watched the harry potter movies? what if indiana bats had facebook? what if indiana bats made coasters? what if indiana bats were hot pink? what if indiana bats had a religion? what if a indiana bat took peirs place on "americas got talent" what if the museum had an exsibit of human-acting indiana bats? what if indiana bats wore bowties? waht if indiana bats ate sunshine? what if indiana bats wore embroidered pillowcases? what if indiana bats grew upside down flowers? what if an indiana bat ate the tv? what if indiana bats lived in dafodills? what if indiana bats worked at dairy queen? what if your manager at work was a indiana bat? what if indiana bats had no wings, so they hovered everywhere? what if waterbottles looked like indiana bats? what if your worst enemy was an indiana bat what if you became best friends with a pair of indiana and vampire bats? what if your job was to tickle indiana bats? what if einstein's hair was done by an indiana bat? what if indiana bats chewed gum? what if your dad was an indiana bat? what if your toothbrush was an indiana bat? what if you saw an indiana bat preserved in amber? what if you had a robot indiana bat? what if an indiana bat got ahold of a walkietalkie?

    ezri

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  9. What if Indiana bats were on t.v.?
    What if Indiana bats liked cheetos?
    What if an Indiana bat ran for president?
    What if an Indiana bat was hit with a homerun ball?
    What if the Indiana bat watched t.v? What would he watch? Animal planet.
    What if the Indiana bat loved to shop for shoes?
    What if the Indiana bat listened to his Ipod?
    What if the Indiana bat had powers?
    What if the Indiana bat posed for a portrait?
    What if the Indiana bat could write What If questions about us?
    What if the Indiana bat took pictures?
    What if the Indiana bat played with Barbies?
    What if the Indiana bat was on the dollar bill?
    What if the Indiana bat baked pies?
    What if the Indiana bat drew pictures?
    What if the Indiana bat slept like us and with a lovey?
    What if the Indiana bat had a giant tongue like Alex the dog?
    What if Alex was the Indiana bat?
    What if the Indiana bat was on So You Think You Can Dance?
    What if the Indiana bat could use the telephone?
    What if the Indiana bat wore a pink bathrobe?
    What if the Indiana bat played volleyball?
    What if the Indiana bat loved dogs?

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  10. Janvi What if the indiana bat slept like a baby? What if the indiana bat carried passengers like an airplane? What if Indiana bat swam like a fish? What if Indiana Bat brushed his teeth?What if indiana bat played cricket? What if indiana bat drank tea? What if Indiana bat drank Snapple? What if the Indiana bat wore clothes? What if Indiana bat could read and write? What if Indiana bat wore Spectacles? What if indiana bat took you fishing? What if indiana bat drove a car? What if indiana bat had a blog? What if indiana bat ate nothng but icecream? What if the indiana bat ate lollipops? What if the indiana bat was in the wizard of oz? What if indiana bat knew painting? What if indiana bat was a pilot? what if indiana bat became an author? What if indiana bat had a palace to live in? What if indiana bat was a professor?what if the indiana bat became president? what if the indiana bat wrote a story about us writing what if questions about them?what if the indiana bat opened a bakery? What if indiana bat built a home? What if indiana bat particpated in swim meets? What if the indiana bat was the commander of the army? What if the indiana bat could sing? What if the indiana bat attended medical school? What if indiana bat attended sycamore school? what if indiana could laugh and cry? What if indiana bat owned a restaurant? What if indiana bat owned a shop? What if indiana bat played soccer? What if indiana bat hated flying? What if indiana bat had a computer?

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  11. what if the Indiana bat ate waffles? what if the Indiana bat made a mess? what if the Indiana bat was from Columbia? what if the Indiana bat cause a crime? what if the Indiana bat wrote?

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  12. by janvi what if the indiana bat waks a kind of music what if the indiana bat was the name of a native american tribe what if the indiana bat drank 5,000 gallons of water every day what if the indiana bat was a flavor if sida what if the indiana bat made icecream what if the indiana bat went to Hong Kong for a trip because it was bored of indiana what if the indiana bat was your teacher what if the indiana bat was your school principalwhat if the indiana bat was a language what if the indiana bat lived under water what if the indiana bat lived underground what if the indiana was only 1inch what if the indiana bat ordered a telescope what if the indiana bat was your friend what if the indiana bat ate airheads what if the if the indiana bat made a car what if the indiana bat threw a temper tantrum what if the indiana bat was your little brother what if the indiana bat wrot books what if the inidiana bat built Orchard school what if an indiana bat was a ballerina what if an indiana bat was a king what if the indiana bat was a television shaow what if the indiana bat played flute what if the indiana bat tap danced what if the indiana bat said,"I'm your aunt" what if the indiana bat played th piano what ifthe inidana bat was your coch what if the indiana bat was on the Colts team what if the indiana bat sat on professor watermelon's head what if the indiana bat made cheese what if kth inidana bat visited professor watermelon's blog what if the indiana bat cleaned your house what if the iniana bat cooked for you what if the indiana bat flew in my house what if the indiana bat what if the indiana batwhat if the indiana bat came to someone's birthday party and ate allthe cake what if the indiana bat iced a birthday cake what if the indiana bat wrote a letter to the president what if the indiana bat was in your class what if the indiana bat made swimsuits for other bats what if the indiana bat was santa claus what fithindiana bat worked for santa claus whaat if the indiana bat stole my notebook what if the inidna bat taught you how to fread and write what if the indiana bat was your mommy what if the indiana bat was a kind of fly whaat if the indiana bat did karate what if the indiana bat scribbled with pencil what if the indiana bat always cleaned the dishes for you what if the indiana bat scribbled ith pen whar if the indiana bat taught you how to write what if the indiana bat drank milk what if the indiana bat was pink what if the indana bat built a house what if the indiana bat played french horn what if the indiana bat ate bageks what if the indiana bat wrote this

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  13. what if indiana bat went fishing what if indiana bat did karte what if indiana bat did ballet what if indiana bat sang songs what if indiana bat taught you how to read what if indiana bat ate your cereal what if indiana bat was the best in math what if indiana bat crawled like a baby what if indiana bat sat on you what if indiana bat did your chores what if indiana bat sailed off? Rhea

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  14. All I can say is WOW WOW WOW! Today, we will see if any of these "what if's" will turn into stories! Great Job!

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  15. What if an Indiana Bat played on a baseball team?
    What if an Indiana Bat cut off his wing?
    What if an Indiana Bat flew to canada?
    What if an Indiana Bat was the best soccer player?
    What if an Indiana Bat went to dance class?
    What if an Indiana Bat had a ipod?
    What if four Indiana Bats made a cake?
    What if an Indiana Bat did a work book with 10 pages?
    What if an Indiana Bat made a blog?
    What if an Indiana Bat was made out of ice?
    What if an Indiana Bat made the ipod?
    What if an Indiana Bat had home work?
    What if an Indiana Bat watch TV?
    What if an Indiana Bat read a chapter book?
    What if an Indiana Bat played football?
    What if an Indiana Bat made XBOX?
    What if an Indiana Bat ate an apple?
    What if an Indiana Bat put in a CD?
    What if an Indiana Bat made the CDS?
    What if an Indiana Bat made chapter books?

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  16. What if a Indiana bat played bat ball?
    What if a Indiana bat could talk?
    What if a Indiana bat said I am late for bat ball?
    What if a indiana bat did not want to bat mans party?

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  17. 1.what if an indiana bat could talk
    2.what if an indiana bat ate cookies
    3.what if an indiana bat ruled the world
    4.what if an indiana bat was the smartest thing alive
    5.what if an indiana bat was shark in deskise
    6.what if an indiana bat could read
    7.what if an indiana bat was related to a beaver
    8.what if an indiana bat flew across the world
    9.what if an indiana bat flew to indiana to mexico
    10.what if an indiana bat flew to antartica
    11.what if an indiana bat polinated flowers
    12.what if an indiana bat was the fastest animal alive
    13.what if an indiana bat could swim
    14.what if an indiana bat could solve math broblems
    15.what if an indiana bat could solve sudokos
    16.what if an indiana bat could dance
    17.what if an indiana bat rode horses
    18.what if an indiana bat ate chocalate
    19.what if an indiana bats were extinked
    20.what if an indiana bats had secerets
    21.what if an indiana bat flew to englind
    22.what if an indiana bat knew how to spell spell
    23.what if an indiana bat knew how to spell dog
    24.what if an indiana bat knew how to spell well
    25.what if an indiana bat knew how to spell what
    26.what if an indiana bat knew how to spell if
    27.what if an indiana bat knew how to spell an
    28.what if an indiana bat knew how to spell indiana bat
    29.what if an indiana bat could sew
    30.What if an indiana bat had school
    31..What if an indiana bat used numchucks.
    32..What if an indiana bat had a refrigerator.
    33..What if an indiana bat made coloring books.
    34..What if an indiana bat had stuffed animals.
    35..What if an indiana bat had thunder drums.
    36..What if an indiana bat played with a rainscape.
    37..What if an indiana bat had pets.
    38..What if an indiana bat looked in the sun.
    39..What if an indiana bat knew how to spell.
    41..What if an indiana bat read Harry Potter.
    42..What if an indiana bat had a bird collection
    43..What if an indiana bat swam
    44..What if an indiana bat breathed water
    45..What if an indiana bat lived on Mars
    46.What if an indiana bat slepted in a bed.
    47 What if an indiana bat had a bird feather collection
    48.What if an indiana bat had a geode collection.
    49.What if an indiana bat picked flowers.
    50.What if an indiana bat celebrated Christmas,
    Sophie

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