Mystery
Class Update: February 10, 2006
Most Recent Sunrise/Sunset Data It's here! The second set of Sunrise/Sunset data from your secret Mystery Classes has arrived. And you're just in time, because with one season slowly slipping into another (winter toward spring, or summer toward fall depending on your location), "the times are a changing" already.
Speaking of changing seasons, do you know what the real "reasons for seasons" are? Find out in a new mini-unit of lessons below--read on! Day Length Changes: What Do They Tell You?
More Tips from the Pros If you haven't already read her enlightening insights, Nebraska teacher and Journey North veteran Gayle Kloewer has some suggestions in this Teacher Tip to help students learn the most from the information on the graphs:
"You're Going to Bed at What Time?" As you know, the sunrise/sunset times are provided using the 24 hour clock or military time, which divides the day into 24 hours. But most of us don't use this timekeeping method very often. (When was the last time your parents told you to go to bed at 22:30?!) Instead, most of the "time", our days are divided into 12 hour sets, one for "A.M." and one for "P.M.". What do you think the initials "A.M." and "P.M." stand for anyway? Why do you think these abbreviations were created?
Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring As you begin to notice changes in your graph, begin to explore some of the reasons we have seasons. All seasonal changes - temperature, plant growth and life cycles, animal migrations, and so on - are due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun. The tilt causes shifts in the amount of available sunlight (photoperiod) and its intensity (the angle at which it strikes the Earth). This series of lessons provides a backdrop for Journey North spring studies and can help you dispel some common misconceptions. Select those most appropriate to your curriculum focus and student readiness.
Plan Ahead and Mark Your Calendars
The Next Mystery Class Update Will Be Posted on February 17, 2006
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