Sunlight & Seasons
Signs of Fall: Observations for November

Today's Update:


Photos from Space: How is sunlight changing?

What Does the Changing Season Bring?
Why do you think they call this butterfly a snout?
Very dry weather in Texas, followed by lots of rain created perfect conditions for producing millions of snouts.
Photo: Mike Quinn
Here are just a few of the new seasonal signs reported by eagle-eyed Journey North students.
  • It is cooler out and the days are shorter.
  • Lots of robins and red winged blackbirds in the thickets and marshes.
  • For days here are 1000's of snout* butterflies observed far and wide in Texas.
  • The tree leaves are turning colors at the different times.
  • The acorns are on the ground and the squirrels are racing around.
  • There were a few leaves on our nature trail and we could hear them crunch under our feet.
  • It smells like fall.

As you go outside this month in search of seasonal clues, ask, Does anything surprise me? How would I explain it? What questions do I have?

Editor's Note: As reported by the Statesman.com website, "About every decade or so there’s an outbreak of snouts in Central Texas, according to Mike Quinn, president of the Austin Butterfly Forum. Quinn has compiled a site dedicated to the butterfly. http://texasento.net/snout.htm

Outdoor Observations for November: Try This!

Pay attention to changes in the non-living environment. For instance, is the water on ponds freezing? Make a list. Discuss or write about how you think each of these changes could affect living things.

Use your senses! Use each of your senses to observe seasonal changes. What do you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste? Describe or draw a picture of one thing in each category that tells you the seasons are moving forward.

Don't forget to add your November observations to your Signs of Fall journal, handout, or checklist (see Resources, below).
 How Is Your Life Changing?

How are the changing seasons affecting your life this month? Think about these categories: clothing you wear, activities, holidays, backyard observations, foods you eat. Use the handout to jot your ideas. Then write a paragraph describing these changes.

Resources to Explore
    Fall frosts can damage or kill nectar flowers.
    Photo: Suzanne DeJohn
  • Student Journal: Signs of Fall
  • Handout: Watching the Seasons Change: Grades K-3
  • Fall Checklist: Grades 4+
  • Teachers: About Signs of the Seasons
  • Share: Exchange Observations with a Partner!
  • Report your observations! (Choose "Signs of Fall" or other events.)
  • Maps: Signs of Fall / Other Fall Maps
  • Handout: Signs of Fall: Clues About Seasonal Change
Signs of Fall for December:
An update will be posted on December 1, 2009


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