Tulip Test Gardens
Update: March 25, 2010   
Please report:

Spring has officially arrived, and it has sprung in typical fashion. Warm in some parts of the continent and tulips are setting records for their early arrival. In other parts spring snow storms have dropped some white stuff onto the garden. How will this affect the tulip plants? Find out more this week. Spark some good questions with our gallery of photos. "Ask the Expert" opens Friday. Then go outside to find inspiration for writing cinquain poetry.

Today's Report Includes:

Image of the Week



What do You Wonder about Tulip Gardens?
Explore...

Maps, Questions, and Highlights

Highlights: Spring is Unpredictable!
Spring has officially arrived, and it has sprung in typical fashion. Any kind of weather can happen in springtime, and we have seen it all this month.

Warmer than average temperatures continue in the Northeast and East Central part of the continent and with the warm weather tulips are sprouting! Emerging tulips are breaking records in many gardens:

"Tulips emerged in the garden today. This year is 2-4 weeks earlier than previous years!" Norwich, Vermont

While there is April-like weather in some parts of North America, snow and cold was the menu in a big portion of the continent last week. How will this snow affect growing plants and migrating animals? Dig a little bit deeper this week as we think about survival in fickle spring weather.

NA map
Europe map

map/sightings
(North America)
 map/sightings
(Eurasia)		 This Week's Map Questions (Handout)
Explore: The Natural World: Journal in Hand

Conservationist Rachel Carson once said, It is not half as important to know as to FEEL when experiencing the natural world. When we step outside the door we use all our senses at the same time. Sights, sounds, movements and wind all come together to stimulate a unique experience.

Try This!
As the earth revolves around the sun, change is all around us. Go outside and tour your tulip garden. Make a "quiet zone" all around your garden space. Then use your senses to define what you see, smell, hear, and feel.
When you return to the classroom take some time to share your journal entries.

Make a list on the board of what you "sensed" in the garden. Use your list to create a poem! Try a simple cinquain!

Take some time this spring - outside.
Write your own cinquain.
Explore: Risky Weather and YOUR Tulips

Spring weather is hard to predict! High and low pressure systems shift winds and weather around as the Northern Hemisphere warms up under the sun’s more direct light. This past week strong weather systems brought big storms and snow across the land. Some emerging tulip plants can only be found using a snow shovel in parts of the continent!

Oh no! What will happen to the tulip plants in freezing weather? Read all about these hardy little plants. Then explain to others how the tulip plant is specially designed to survive weather surprises.
Snow fell on a big area - and lots of emerging tulips!
Photo: Suzanne DeJohn
Observe and Wonder: Then Ask the Expert
Observe and Wonder
These pictures of tulips show lots of different things. We hope they'll spark your curiosity. Take a look and have a brainstorm! Challenge yourself to ask at least two questions about each picture. Capture your questions and starting Friday, March 26 submit your favorites to our Tulip Garden Expert Bud Markhart.
Study this poster for inspiration

Ask the Expert
Special thanks to Bud Markhart for sharing his time and expertise to answer your questions! Beginning Friday, March 26, you will have two weeks to prepare and submit your questions to Bud.

Ask the Expert Will be Open
March 26 - April 9, 2010.
Related Journey North Lessons and Links

Experiment: Comparing Red Emperor and Mixed Emperor Tulips
What did these gardeners observe? Find out more...
More Journey North Lessons and Teaching Ideas!
The Next Tulip Garden Update Will Be Posted on April 1, 2010.

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