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Phenology for January:
A Reminder
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| Today's
Reminder Includes:
- How
the Season is Changing >>
- Outdoor
Observations for January: Watching Water >>
- What's
Happening to the Sunlight? >>
- Phenology
Resources to Explore
>>
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How is water changing? >>
Photo:
©2007 Tom Henthorn Sr. >
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How
the Season is Changing |
 Weather
was on the mind of Journey North observers last month — and
water played a big role! How many water-related words can you find
below?
Bald eagles were spotted flying over a reservoir where "the
water is still open." In Boston, "three inches of snow,
sleet, and mixed precipitation occurred last night." The observer
notes that Boston usually misses early snow because the nearby ocean
keeps the city warmer. In the Northwest Pacific Coast, geese from
the far north arrived to stay along the rainy coast. In the nearby
mountains, snow fell on bare trees and dormant grasses.
What
clues in your home town tell you how the season is changing?
Each month, we'll remind you to go outside and observe! Look, smell,
feel, and listen carefully. Also pay attention to how the sun and
length of day are changing. |
Outdoor
Observations for January: Watching Water |
| When
you make your January observations — and fill in one of the
checklists
— try adding a new twist.
Keep an eye on water.
After all, life on Earth depends on it! Here are some things to
discuss or write about in your journals.
- Describe
the water you see in your schoolyard or neighborhood. (Is it moving
or still? Slushy? Frozen solid? Are there signs of life?)
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How do you predict it will look, feel, and sound next month? Why?
- How
do you think these changes in water could affect plants and animals?
- How
do you use water differently in winter and summer? List
2 ways.
- What
role does water play in the coming of spring? Keep your eyes peeled!
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| What's
Happening to the Sunlight? |
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On
December 22 (the winter solstice), the Northern Hemisphere had its
shortest day of the year. Are you tracking sunrise and sunset times,
daylength, or shadows in your hometown? What have you noticed? Changes
happen very slowly right after the winter solstice, but keep looking
and measuring!
For now, imagine you're in space looking at Earth on the morning
of January 1. Here's what you'd see >> |
How
is sunlight changing? >> |
| Phenology
Resources to Explore |
- Fall
Checklist:
Grades K-3>>
- Fall
Checklist: Grades 4+
>>
- Student
Journal: Signs of Spring >>
- Photo:
How is the Sunlight Changing? >>
- Signs
of Spring: You can post your observations on one of our
migration maps or the "other
signs of spring" map.
- Share:
Exchange Observations with a Partner! >>
- Observation:
How is Water Changing?
- Teachers:
Phenology and Journey North >>
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| Phenology
for February: A reminder will be posted on
February 1, 2008 |
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