Overview

Phenology is the study of the seasonal timing of life cycle events. You are studying phenology when you record the date a certain plant grows, a tree's leaves emerge, an insect hatches, or a migratory bird appears on its nesting grounds. Factors such as daylength, temperature, and rainfall influence the dates on which events occur each year.

 

Driving Question: What variables might affect how tulips grow?

After planting your official test garden according to planting instructions, explore how different variables might affect plants by asking "What if..." questions. Then try planting an experimental garden.

 

Overview

Every fall people all over North America carefully catch monarchs, and place a tiny, paper ID tag on one wing. The tagged butterflies are released and continue their journeys. When a tag is recovered, valuable information about migration is revealed.

Driving Question: What can we learn about migration from tagged monarch butterflies?

 

Teaching Suggestions

Month by month, where are robins and what are they doing? The facts and photos in this slideshow showcase the annual cycle of the American robin. Choose from an array of activities to explore how robins respond to the seasons. Discover ways to document the changes you observe throughout the year.

Driving Question: What is the annual cycle of the American robin?

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