This month, observers are reporting signs of the seasons from around the globe. Fall is the season for festivals in South Korea, olives are being harvested in Italy, early snowfall brings snowball games in England, winter hats and coats are out of storage in the Netherlands, and they're celebrating Thanksgiving in Japan. December brings the longest night of the year. How do other cultures celebrate, and what is your tradition?

Today's Reminder Includes:

• The Season is Changing Across the Globe
  
  
• Mid-Winter Festivals: Observing Winter's Arrival
  

• Resources to Explore: Photos from Space

In Sheffield, England they got their first snow in on Saturday the 27 of November. On the news it said that this was the earliest snowfall for 17 years. Instead of a cross country race they had snow games!

Olives are ripening and will be ready for picking in Naples, Italy. Leaves on the grape vines are turning their FAll colors. The final grapes left on their vines - the sweetest grapes - have been picked by mid-month.

Since it is generally mild in Yomitan, Okinawa (Japan) students have no heat in their apartments or classrooms and they can feel the temperature change as fall arrives. Students celebrated Thanksgiving lunch and pie day at school on Monday with turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, dressing and cranberry sauce.

In Rutten, Netherlands they're getting things ready for winter ... which has just set in with the first real frost 11/24/10. Last Monday we sat outside for afternoon tea with just a light sweater on, but now we have gotten out the winter coats and woolen hats.

In Miramichi, New Brunswick students tell us, "Our days are a lot shorter now. It gets darker earlier and we do not have as much daylight. It is dark out when we go to bed and dark in the morning when we get up."

In Busan, South Korea, Will Bachman is teaching English. He sends highlights of the season through fall festivals and fall activities.

• Fall in South Korea

Find all the Signs of Fall comments on the maps below—and report your own observations!

Organized snowball fight in Sheffield, England!

Black olives ready for harvest in Naples, Italy.

The river in front of the Nelson Rural School in Miramichi is filled with ice now.

Playing a game in the park in South Korea.

Since the beginnings of civilization winter celebrations have provided therapy and hope for surviving the long winter. Midwinter festivals occurring on the longest night of the year, often included evergreens, bright illumination, large ongoing fires, feasting, communion with close ones, and dancing and singing.

In Scandinavian culture the longest night is celebrated with a tribute to St. Lucy (Lucia). St. Lucia is played by a young girl who leads a procession wearing a crown of burning candles.

Many Asian cultures celebrate the Dongzhi Festival during the winter solstice. Family gathers and eats a special dish of rice made into balls symbolizing reunion and harmony.

What are your plans for celebrating mid-winter? Try something new this year.

Don't forget to add your December observations to your Signs of Fall journal, checklist, or handout (see Resources, below).

• Student Journal: Signs of Fall
• Slide Show: Telling Time with Shadow Sticks
  • Teachers: Background Information
• Share: Exchange Observations with a Partner!
• Report your observations!
• Maps: Signs of Fall / Other Fall Maps
• Handout: Signs of Fall
• Teachers: About Signs of the Seasons
• Handout: Watching the Seasons Change
• Fall Checklist: Grades 4+