The Northern Lights, Ice, Constellations and extra! – Elevating Up Wild Issues
This time of yr could be tough to remain motivated to get outdoors and discover nature. Though it’s a brief month, the chilly, darkish days could make it difficult. However spring is simply across the nook, and there’s loads to find this time of yr.
1. The Northern Lights
February is usually the most effective month for these of us within the northern hemisphere to see the aurora borealis, or northern lights. That is because of the mixture of lengthy, darkish nights, and chilly, secure climate that always ends in clear skies. There additionally tends to be elevated photo voltaic exercise as we get nearer to the spring equinox.
We have been fortunate sufficient to see the northern lights right here in Colorado final month, and I’ll by no means be the identical – it was superb! In case you’re in an space the place viewing the aurora isn’t actually potential, try these concepts for studying all concerning the northern lights.
Make the Northern Lights
With only a black piece of building paper and chalk or chalk pastels, your college students can recreate the aurora and have enjoyable whereas doing it. We used this tutorial to make these lovely artworks.
We additionally used this unit research on the northern lights included within the Arctic Journal (you’ll find out extra about that right here).
Make the Northern Lights (Floor Pressure Experiment)
This tremendous cool Northern Lights science experiment, which doubles as a science experiment on water floor pressure (extra on that later), is an effective way to find out about physics and have enjoyable with the northern lights.
Our Favourite Image Books concerning the Northern Lights
The Lights that Dance within the Night time
Aurora: A Story of the Northern Lights
A Seek for the Northern Lights
2. Winter Constellations
The chilly, clear nights of February could make for fantastic stargazing. Do you know that the winter sky options totally different constellations than the summer time sky? The winter sky is dominated by brilliant, simply identifiable constellations like Orion, Taurus, Gemini, and Canis Main (comply with Orion and you’ll spot the remainder!)
Make Constellation Playing cards
My boys and I made these easy constellation playing cards utilizing some building paper and a gap puncher. They usually look superior up towards a brilliant window!
- Use a chalk or acrylic marker for drawing the constellations first
- Smaller playing cards can be simpler to punch
- In case you can’t attain a star with the opening puncher, gently fold the paper and punch in the course of the fold
- Cling them in a sunny window to see your constellations gentle up!
We used the constellation unit from The Winter Journal to information us.
Night time Sky Playdough
One other favourite! I imply, what’s higher than velvety gentle, sparkly selfmade playdough? Add star sequins, marbles, or beads and press them in to make constellations.
Get the evening sky playdough recipe right here.
For extra, try the winter evening sky research within the Winter Journal.
Image Books About Constellations and the Night time Sky
By way of the Night time Sky: A Assortment of Superb Adventures Below the Stars
Caroline’s Comets: A True Story
Zoo within the Sky: A E book of Animal Constellations
What We See within the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night time Sky
A Little one’s Introduction to the Night time Sky
3. Snowdrops
Generally known as “harbingers of spring,” these small, white, can emerge via snow and ice. Snowdrops are early blooming spring bulbs that always signify the top of winter. Throughout their peak bloom, they’ll blanket the panorama in February with a carpet of nodding white flowers.
Go on a Snowdrop Stroll
In case you stay in an space the place snowdrops bloom, seize your nature journals and go on a snowdrop stroll. Notice the form, measurement and odor of those joyful little flowers, the place they develop (within the shade? within the solar? close to a sure kind of tree?), and anything you discover. Draw a diagram and attempt to label the components.
Make a Snowdrop Craft
Have a good time these harbingers of spring with a enjoyable and easy snowdrop craft. We love these snowdrops produced from paper and straws from Rhubarb and Wren.
Image Books About Snowdrops and Spring Flowers
Curious Little Snowdrop: A Springtime Poetry and Exercise E book for Youngsters
Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms
4. Ice
January is the coldest month for a lot of areas within the Northern Hemisphere, which suggests it’s an important month to be taught all about ice. From icicles to icebergs, to pancake ice and hoarfrost, there are tons of alternatives to find out about ice within the winter.
Make an Iceberg
Do you know you can also make an iceberg proper in your individual kitchen? Fill a balloon with water, tie the top tight and place it inside your freezer for at the least 24 hours. As soon as the water has fully frozen, fastidiously reduce away the balloon, leaving the frozen sphere – your iceberg.
Now fill a big container with water (it needs to be large enough in order that the iceberg can float). Place the iceberg into the container – you simply made a freshwater iceberg. Notice how a lot of the ice is above the water. You’ll be able to measure the quantity with a ruler, if you want. How a lot of the ice stays beneath the water?
Most icebergs are freshwater, together with the one answerable for the sinking of the Titanic. Nonetheless, you possibly can repeat this exercise utilizing salt water, and be aware how the salinity (saltiness) of the water impacts how the iceberg floats.
Play With Frozen Bubbles
Who doesn’t love enjoying with bubbles? On the coldest of days, strive making frozen bubbles! Take a look at this tutorial for step-by-step directions.
Discover ice, icebergs and extra with the Arctic Journal!
Image Books about Ice
Ice Cycle: Poems concerning the Lifetime of Ice
5. Maple Bushes
Maple sap is flowing from late January to early March, when there’s a sample of temperatures fluctuating between freezing nights (beneath 32 levels F) and heat days (above 40 levels F). The custom of tapping sugar maples for syrup has been alive for hundreds of years, and also you don’t want significantly fancy tools to have the ability to extract the scrumptious syrup (though it takes roughly 30-60 gallons of sap to make simply 1 gallon of syrup!).
In case you’re fortunate sufficient to have sugar maples the place you reside, take a stroll via a maple grove and see in case you can spot any faucets (hear for the drip-drip-drip of the syrup hitting the underside of the pail!) You can even strive making your individual DIY maple faucet!
In case you don’t have entry to sugar maples in your space, you possibly can nonetheless learn and find out about these marvelous timber.
Make Maple Syrup Snow Taffy
That is the right exercise for a snowy day – simply seize some pure maple syrup, some popsicle sticks (non-compulsory) and head out into the snow. We love this snow taffy recipe from Little Cooks Studying Books.
Books About Maple Bushes and Tapping
**I’m an affiliate of Amazon, which suggests I obtain a small fee from purchases via product hyperlinks, which helps hold this web site going. I solely write about issues I’m actually enthusiastic about, and merchandise I truly advocate and use for our household.**
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