Mystery
Class Update: February 10, 2006
Today's
Report Includes:
- Most Recent Sunrise/Sunset Data
- Day Length Changes: What Do They Tell You?
- More Tips from the Pros
- "You're Going to Bed at What Time?"
- Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring
- Plan Ahead and Mark your Calendars
Most Recent Sunrise/Sunset Data
It's here! The second set of Sunrise/Sunset data from your secret Mystery Classes has arrived. And you're just in time, because with one season slowly slipping into another (winter toward spring, or summer toward fall depending on your location), "the times are a changing" already.
 |
|
Speaking of changing seasons, do you know what the real "reasons for seasons" are? Find out in a new mini-unit of lessons below--read on!
Day Length Changes: What Do They Tell You?
|
As you plot this week's Sunrise/Sunset data on your graph,
ask yourself these questions. Can you determine:
|
1) Where is photoperiod changing the most quickly? 2) In which places is it increasing? 3) In which places is it decreasing? 4)
What might these things tell you about the location of each site?
|
 |
More Tips from the Pros
If you haven't already read her enlightening insights, Nebraska teacher and Journey North veteran Gayle Kloewer has some suggestions in this Teacher Tip to help students learn the most from the information on the graphs:
Teacher Tip: Mystery Class/Graphing Photoperiod
We always welcome tips from practicing Journey North teachers.
Please share your ideas!
"You're Going to Bed at What Time?"
As you know, the sunrise/sunset times are provided using the 24 hour clock or military time, which divides the day into 24 hours. But most of us don't use this timekeeping method very often. (When was the last time your parents told you to go to bed at 22:30?!) Instead, most of the "time", our days are divided into 12 hour sets, one for "A.M." and one for "P.M.". What do you think the initials "A.M." and "P.M." stand for anyway? Why do you think these abbreviations were created?
| Try This: Test your Parents | |
|
First,
figure out what your bedtime is using the 24 hour clock/military
time. Then, tonight, ask your parents if they know what your bedtime is in military time. Can they tell you? (If they don't know, give them a helping hand and explain the 24 hour clock of timekeeping) |
 |
Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring
As you begin to notice changes in your graph, begin to explore some of the reasons we have seasons. All seasonal changes - temperature, plant growth and life cycles, animal migrations, and so on - are due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun. The tilt causes shifts in the amount of available sunlight (photoperiod) and its intensity (the angle at which it strikes the Earth). This series of lessons provides a backdrop for Journey North spring studies and can help you dispel some common misconceptions. Select those most appropriate to your curriculum focus and student readiness.
|
|
Plan Ahead and Mark Your Calendars
| February 3- April 14: | Each Friday, Sunrise/Sunset Times are posted for the ten Mystery Sites. |
| March 10: | The "Longitude Clue" is posted. |
| March 17, 24 & 31, April 7 & 14 | Interdisciplinary clues from the Mystery Sites are posted each week. (Please Note--out of fairness to all participants, we will only post the clues on their scheduled dates.) |
| April 21: Deadline for Your Answers! | No
late entries will be accepted (out of fairness to all participants,
no exceptions.) |
| April 28: | Mystery Sites Revealed! |
| May 5: | Meet Your Mystery Friends! |
Have
Questions? See
Mystery Class FAQ |
|
The Next Mystery Class Update Will Be Posted on February 17, 2006
Copyright
1996-2006 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.
Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our
feedback form
