Journey North Mystery Class Spring 2004

Mystery Class
Jim Gilbert

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Journey North News will be posted on Friday:
Jan 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7

Journey North News

Reminder: Mystery Class Begins on Monday, February 2, 2004
Right now ten SECRET Mystery Classes are hiding across the globe, just waiting for you to find them. Are you ready to start the search? Follow the changing sunrise/sunset times that we'll post weekly, and watch for other crucial clues coming later. At the end of the eleven week hunt, you'll try to answer the BIG question: "Where in the world do you think our 10 Mystery Classes are located?" But first things first, REMEMBER to collect and record your own hometown sunrise/sunset times starting next Monday February 2. Good luck!
Mystery Class Update: February 6, 2004
Welcome to the Mystery Class Quest! Where all of your sleuthing and other skills are put to the test. You've already recorded your own hometown sunrise/sunset time for Monday Feb 2, and now we have the first set of sunrise/sunset times from your 10 secret Mystery friends too. Get your graph paper and put pencil to the paper--it's time to try to unlock the Mystery. Are you organized? Get some tips from the Pros. Let's get's started.
Mystery Class Update: February 13, 2004
Your secret Mystery friends have sent you a sweet gift just in "time" for Valentine's Day. What will you discover this week? Are their photoperiods increasing? Decreasing? Or...? Take a graphing tip from a pro--there's already so much you can learn about the secret sites. Plus, do you know what really are the reasons for seasons? And get a quick Latin lesson from the answers to last week's Challenge Question.
Mystery Class Update: February 20, 2004
The third set of sunrise/sunset data has now been posted! Will your graph reveal any more insights about the secret locations? Watch this "enlightening" video clip and learn who the real "star" is in the web of life. Then, take a bite at the Food Chain, and Shadow Stck activities and find out how changing photoperiod affects everything from plants to animals.
Mystery Class Update: February 27, 2004
Will the fourth set of sunrise/sunset data let you see which Mystery Class is the farthest north, south, or the closest to the equator? You'll find out. The Longitude Clues are coming soon and a trio of veteran teachers share their tips. Plus, take a look at Earth from Space--can you see how sunrise and sunset occur each day? And try this "Eggceptional" experiment--do eggs really stand up on end on the Equinox?
Mystery Class Update: March 5, 2004
We're counting down! Just one more week until we provide the Longitude Clues, and then more clues to come after that. Watch the helpful Longitude video clip where Massachusetts teacher Holly Cerullo says students are "...beginning to narrow it down!". Plus, you'll get your fifth set of sunrise/sunset data. Can you predict what your graph will look like on the Equinox? And by the way, what's the "standing" on those eggs?
Mystery Class Update: March 12, 2004
Happy Vernal Equinox! (A little early.) Are you ready to celebrate? In honor of the big day, this week's update is packed full with the special Equinox Longitude clues. Be sure to read it carefully. These clues will help you estimate the approximate Longitude of 9 out of the 10 secret sites.(Why just 9 out of 10? Read the report to find out). Who says you can't get something for free? Two of the Longitude clues are freebies. We've also got the latest weekly sunrise/sunset times, plus several responses to last week's Challenge Question including a great graph too.
Mystery Class Update: March 19, 2004
Do you feel clueless? Not to worry--today you'll get the first set of clues from the Mystery sites themselves, plus a video about clues too. By the way, what's the standing of your egg-balance testing? Pay close attention to the eggs on Saturday, to see if you notice anything special on the Equinox. And find out who wanted to be a millionaire long before the game show, plus this week's sunrise/sunset times too.
Mystery Class Update: March 26, 2004
Want a glimpse from space of your Mystery Classes? Take a peek--but you'll have to look real closely! We've got breaking news--Journey North has an April 1st advance news story about an invention that lets you travel around the globe free! Plus we have the latest times and clues, and a few "timely" lessons. Also,do you know why not all locations on the Equinox had EXACTLY twelve hours of day and night? And how is your classroom's "eggsperiments" going so far?
Mystery Class Update: April 2, 2004
No April fooling, your secret Mystery Friends have sent in their latest clues to help you on your worldly quest to find them. Just two more weeks of clues to go. And something's happened to some of the sunrise/sunset times this week. Can you explain? Plus, time's up--let us know if your egg balancing experiments scrambled up anything "eggciting"! Teachers: Get a new BIG tip on organizing your class. And the deadline is drawing near--get advance notice on how to successfully submit your answers.
Mystery Class Update: April 9, 2004
Time is running out--just one more set of clues to come after this week. "Have you found us yet?", your Mystery Friends ask. Teachers, we've sent an advance copy of the rules for submitting your answer--be sure to look at them now. And we have a timely que to look at our FAQs! We're also revealing this week's Sunrise/Sunset Data, the fourth set of Clues, the reasons why some of the times shifted last week, and "Eggciting" news about one of the oldest pieces of Equinox folklore.
Mystery Class Update: April 16, 2004
The time has come! Your secret Mystery Classes are wondering if you have uncovered their locations yet. To help you, the FINAL sunrise/sunset data and FINAL clues have arrived. Follow the Rules and Checklist carefully and see if you can tell us "Where in the world each Mystery Site is Hiding?" Remember, you must submit your answer no later than Friday, April 23. And don't miss the message of today's video about just how far you've come! Good luck!
Mystery Class Reminder: Answers Due This Friday
Hey, all you digital detectives! Just a quick reminder that this Friday, April 23 is the deadline to submit your answers. Find the Rules, Instructions and Checklist for successful submission of your hard work in this reminder. The mystery is almost solved--good luck!
Mystery Class Update: April 23, 2003
Don't forget to submit your answer no later than Friday, April 23. Then it's only one week until the Mystery is revealed. Watch the video of excited students from a prior season at the moment they learn the secret locations! Plus, do you know of any classrooms outside of North America who might want to be a secret Mystery Class in 2005? Teachers: Please share your thoughts in our Year-end Evaluation.
Mystery Class Update: April 30, 2003
Today's the day you've all been waiting for! Find out "Where In The World" your 10 secret Mystery friends have been hiding. Congratulations to everyone who participated in this challenging activity. Remember to come back next week to "meet" your new Mystery Friends, that's the day they've all been waiting for. They are really eager to meet you with their introductions, information and photos too.
FINAL Mystery Class Update: May 7, 2004
High five! At long last...it's time to finally meet your new (but not so mysterious anymore) friends from around the Globe. They have worked very hard and have been waiting to meet you! What does one site have to do with Martha Stewart? And what is an "ice whisker"? Find out when you meet everyone through their greetings and photos in today's Introductions. We've also received several comments from students complimenting the ten stealthy sites. And finally, don't forget to send your secret suggestions for 2005 Mystery sites around the globe. Have a great summer!