Journey North: International Plant Study Fall 2005

Tulip Garden Update: September 9, 2005

Today's Report Includes:

Follow the Wave of Spring
Let Me Introduce You
The BIG Picture - For Teachers New to the Garden Project
Explore Microclimate First
Challenge Question #1
Teacher Tips
Bookmark the Tulip Index

Follow the Wave of Spring

We're watching for YOUR garden!

Welcome to Journey North. This fall, plant a Journey North Garden to proclaim the official arrival of spring in your community. In this huge investigation about plants and seasonal change YOU play a key role by sharing when your tulips emerge and bloom.

This fall, watch the map fill up with brown squares as hundreds of students across North America report their tulip gardens planted. Hone your prediction skills – when will spring reach all corners of North America?

How is your garden planning going?

Let Me Introduce You

Get started! Read this hands-on, easy entry booklet about the Journey North tulip project together as a class.
Print and fold it using easy to follow directions, or read from a slide show on the Web.

When Does Spring Reach Your Hometown?

The BIG Picture - For Teachers New to the Garden Project
The Tulip Garden Project allows children to explore plant growth and seasonal change by working with a flower that has come to symbolize spring. Visit this project overview that includes pictures and video clips to learn more.

Tulip Project Overview

Students explore seasonal change by watching plant growth in their own gardens--and in gardens across the hemisphere.

Explore Microclimate First

A sample map of schoolgrounds

Begin the season by stepping outside your classroom to investigate the many microclimates in your schoolyard. Start by mapping the area and predicting where it is the coldest, warmest, wettest and driest. Go out to observe and record temperature data. How many differences do you find, and which areas best reflect your local climate?

This lesson is a springboard for students’ understanding of scientific method and why all the gardens in this Tulip Study must be planted according to certain instructions or protocol.

Understanding Microclimate: Thinking About Where YOUR Garden Should be Planted

After your exploration answer this:

Challenge Question #1:
“ In examining your schoolyard microclimates, what was THE greatest difference in temperatures? Describe the areas where it was coolest and warmest.”

To respond to this question, please follow these instructions.

Teacher Tips:
1. Organizing the Garden Project
Each year that Journey North is presented we welcome many first-time teachers and classrooms. In an effort to make managing our projects easier for all participants and especially new ones, we have asked some of our “seasoned” teachers for tips. Here’s a tip to help you get organized:

Organizing the Journey North Tulip Garden Project

Find more helpful tips here:

Getting Started with Journey North

2. Tulip Project Journal
A journal can be a great organizational tool for keeping track of your Tulip Project. Beginning with recording Challenge Question #1, students can keep records of each step of the project. By dedicating a journal for notes, experiments, maps, pictures and journal questions, student records can be kept safe and permanent for each participant.

Bookmark the Tulip Index

This fall bookmark the Tulip Index on your “favorites” list and quickly find your way to all the news and information:

Tulip Index Page

The Next Tulip Garden Update Will be Posted on October 7, 2005.