Sunlight & Seasons Signs of Fall: Observation Reminder for November, 2010 In addition to seeing flocks of migrating birds overhead, students in Anchorage, Alaska reported a sign of fall unique for them - moose, spotted in town! What does the changing season look like in your hometown? View the Earth from space to get the big picture this month. Spotlight one classroom; visit a huge phenology timeline to get ideas for your own phenology studies. What Does the Changing Season Bring? Phenology Timeline: Make Your Own! Outdoor Observations for November Exchange Data with a Partner Resources to Explore Photos from Space: How is sunlight changing?   What Does the Changing Season Bring? Here are just a few of the new seasonal signs reported by eagle-eyed Journey North reporters. Don Davis reported seeing a snow bunting at Presqu'ile Isle near Toronto, Canada, on 10/22/10. Use the map to answer this: Where within their range was the snow bunting sighted? In Whitesville, Kentucky bluejays, eastern bluebirds and cardinals have returned after their summers in the north. Students in Wessenar, Netherlands sent their monthly report: "There were more leaves on the ground and off the trees. Frogs were found by the canal,l but we didn't see any spiders or snails this time. No dew was on the ground but the soil was quite moist. The grass was still green. No mosquito hawks (flies that eat mosquitoes) were sighted." In Anchorage, Alaska students are reporting one of their favorite signs of fall, MOOSE. "We are seeing more MOOSE in town!" Students in Murietta, California reported temperatures shifting in mid-October, "It is 94 degrees! It is dropping to the 50's at night. It should begin to cool back down this weekend. Southern California is having summer weather in October!" Credit: K Karlson Snow Bunting Link to map question A Phenology Timeline: Make Your Own What do you notice as the seasons change in your hometown? Sun Path Elementary School in Shakopee, Minnesota, is creating a fall timeline of their observations right outside their classroom door. Students share pictures, photographs, and samples of what is happening in the naural world. These local examples of seasonal change are accompanied by the sunrise and sunset times. Take a look! Sun Path Phenology Timeline Check out a neat Phenology Timeline idea: Create a visual map of fall phenology! Photo: Marta Knick 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. Student Handout Don't forget to add your November observations to your Signs of Fall journal, handout, or checklist (see Resources, below). 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! Find a partner classroom and compare Signs of Fall data Resources to Explore 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: A reminder will be posted on December 1, 2010

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