Signs of Fall
Phenology Checklist
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Phenology: The study of the seasonal timing of life cycle events.

Instructions: Print a copy of this list. Gather as much of the information as you can. Don't worry about items you miss or exact dates. Add your own ideas.

Exchange: Find a partner classroom and exchange observations. Can you figure out where your partner is located? 

Sunlight
Our photoperiod on the following days (Sunrise/Sunset Look-up)
      September 23 (Equinox)
      October 22 
      November 22 
      December 21 (Solstice) 
Length of shadow of a meter stick at noon on the following days:
      September 23 ( Equinox) 
      October 22 
      November 22
      December 21 (Solstice) 

Temperature

      September 23 (Equinox): High ____ Low ___ Average ___ 
      October 22: High ____ Low ___ Average ___ 
      November 22: High ____ Low ___ Average ___  
      December 21: (Solstice)High ____ Low ___ Average ___ 
     Date of first frost
     Date ice covers birdbath (or puddle) for the first time.
     Date a local pond, lake, river, or ocean freezes.

Plants

Our "Adopted" Tree (species):
     Date we saw the first sign of fall colors 
     Date 50% of the leaves on our tree had changed color 
     Date fall colors were at their peak 
     Date all leaves had fallen from our tree 
Tulips
     Date we planted our Journey North tulip garden 
     Date we predict our tulips will EMERGE 
     Date we predict our tulips will BLOOM 
     Things we notice about other plants in our region. (Use extra paper.) 

Animals

     Date last monarch sighted 
     Date last oriole sighted 
     Date last hummingbird sighted 
     Date last robin sighted 
     Things we notice about other animals in our region. (Use extra paper.) 

More About Our Climate

     Our total annual precipitation 
     Average of inches of rain we receive each year 
     Average of inches of snow we receive each year