Tulip Test Gardens
Update: October 7, 2010
Please Report
After You Plant: 		report form

Welcome to Journey North's Climate Study
Your tulips have arrived and you are about to start digging...but wait! What are these things called bulbs? This month we'll explore the tulip bulb and think about designing experiments to answer our questions that begin with these words, "What if..." Shapen your weather map reading skills. Then we will also peek at a Massachusetts classroom on their planting day.

Today's Report Includes:
Image of the Week

the garden planting

Look Closely
Have you planted your tulips yet? What do you notice about this planting picture?
(Click on image)
Explore: The Tulip Bulb!

Science Begins with Observation
What is a bulb? Look closely on the outside of a bulb. Is your bulb different from the others? What questions do you have? Is a bulb a seed? How is it different? Cut the bulb open to reveal the mystery inside.

  • Print journal pages to help you look, draw, compare, and describe your tulip bulb

Journal Questions:

  1. Science begins with observation. Why do you think this is important?
  2. What can you learn from looking closely at a tulip bulb?
  3. How is a bulb like a seed?
  4. Make a list of questions you'd like to know answers for about the tulip bulb.

examining the bulb closely
Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary

class recording
Davis Thayer Elementary

Read: About the Tulip Bulb

Print and read our hands-on booklet and discover together more about the little bulb used to gauge spring's arrival in your schoolyard.

Bulbs: an exploring book
Slide Show
Tulip Maps

Journey North gardens are beginning to dot the maps. Spread the word — let's put gardens across the Northern Hemisphere!

  • Polish up on your map reading skills. This week we will study our first weather maps. How much information can you read from a map? How can weather maps help you predict spring's arrival?
    This Week's Map Question Handout
Tulip Test Gardens: North America
 Journey North Test Gardens: Europe, Fall 2010
handout
map/sightings
(North America)
 map/sightings
(Eurasia)		 Map Questions Handout
Experiment: What if...

Questions Lead to Experiments
Experimental garden plots can help students answer their own questions. They can vary the official planting protocol, design their own protocol, and see what happens.

 
Spotlight: Planting Our Bulbs

Third grade citizen scientists in Franklin, Massachusetts reported their garden planted and wanted to share the steps they took to start the tulip test garden experiment.

 recording planting information
REPORT Your Garden Planted
Report your garden "PLANTED" after planting and you will see your garden on the map!
report your planting
 
Resources for You

holland RE tulips

Closing Shot: Red Emperor Tulips in Holland

See them at their source!
More Journey North Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Tulip Garden Update Will Be Posted on November 11, 2010.


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