Sunlight & Seasons

Signs of Fall: Observation Reminder for October, 2010

This month we explore Autumn across the Northern Hemisphere. While students in England play a special game, students in Italy prepare for the harvest of some unique foods, and students on the island of Okinawa celebrate "shubun no hi," an Japanese national holiday. Also take control of the seasons to explore sunlight and shadows.

 

how long is the shadowstick?

Wonder why shadows are different lengths
ON THE SAME DAY?

Take control of the seasons and
Explore the answer!

 

A Monthly Reminder to Go Outside!

The Fall Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere
Students across the globe celebrated the Fall Equinox with observations taken in their own "backyards."

Naples, Italy wrote, "We have about two months of no rain leading up to September, and the landscape is dry.
It is the end of the hazelnut harvest. The orchards are swept clear of all organic material, and then about three visits to the trees are needed - about two weeks apart - to collect all the hazelnuts. It's a dirty job of raking, collecting, and bagging. A company buys the nuts and makes NUTELLA with them. European families enjoy spreading Nutella on bread. After collecting hazelnuts, the brush is burned, even if it is green. That leads to much unnecessary smoke in the area.
The olives are slowly maturing, and will be ready for picking in November."

Sheffield, England wrote, "My name is Emily and I am 10 years old from limpsfield junior school and I have noticed the signs of autumn. I have found some conkers (from the horse chestnut tree). In England some children play a game with conkers, they make a hole in the conkers and thread a piece of string through and swing them back and break each others conkers. I have also found some leaves that have beautiful colours like red, orange, brown and green. The sun rose at 06:53 and will set at 19:02 today in Sheffield."

Yomitan, Okinawa, Japan wrote, "Today is a Japanese holiday (shubun no hi-day of fall), but we had school. Since we are in Okinawa and not the mainland of Japan, we do not get snow. Our signs of fall are few. Our humidity drops; we have fewer typhoons. So we see fewer tombo (dragonflies). We have one tree in the school yard that changes color, and one red flower (dego)that blooms in the fall.

hazelnuts harvested for Nutella near Naples, Italy
Hazelnuts are harvested near Naples, Italy. What delicious treat made with hazelnuts do Europeans eat?
(slide your mouse across the nuts)
Photo credit: Goodscolor

 

 

conkers game
Conkers is a game we play on our playgroud in the autumn. Find out more!
Photo credit: Vicky Greyson
Outdoor Observations: Draw What You See

When you make your October observations, try adding a new twist. As you look carefully at how living things change, choose at least one thing to draw (an adopted tree, section of the garden, or feeding monarch, for instance). Here are some tips:

  • What colors do you see in nature outside? Take a box of crayons/markers outside and find colors that you see. Fill a page with the colors. Label your art "October 1."
  • Find something changing in nature and draw it.
  • After drawing the whole object, move closer so you look at just a small area up close. How do you "see" differently when you do this? What new questions or discoveries do you have?
  • Ask, How do I predict this will look next month?
 drawing fall images
Photo: © childrenscreativity.com
Exchange Data with a Partner!

Are the seasons changing in the same way throughout North America? Does October look the same in Texas and Maine? Share your findings with a partner classroom and find out!

Resources to Explore
  • Report your observations! (Choose "Signs of Fall" or other events.)

Teachers: About Signs of the Seasons (Phenology)

Signs of Fall for October: A reminder will be posted on November 1, 2010


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