Mountain Kid Messenger
S'more Outdoor Core - 2022-2023
2022 December
December is our coldest month on average: 38 degrees for the high, 21 degrees for the low. The lakes really deepen their freeze, and when we get precipitation it is usually snow. Luckily we will in fact begin December 2022 like our November, with an active winter storm bringing much needed precipitation and mountain snowpack. The long range forecast looks promising as well and I am predicting a White Christmas.
December is a half-month for us in the school world. I considered skipping the MKM newsletter, but ultimately there is just too much happening in our Outdoor Core world to leave these 12 days unsupported. The key as always is to keep your weekly habits consistent. Whether the winter phenomena is an icicle, snowflakes, or tracks in the snow, Plumas County has it going on.
And December is National Learn a Foreign Language Month. Start with this little essential: Sierra Nevada means Snowy Mountain in Spanish. It is seasonal and it is why Mountain Kids get to be Mountain Kids.
Other dates to consider and celebrate in December include:
- 1 - Eat a Red Apple Day
- 3 - National Play Outside Day
- 4 - Wildlife Conservation Day; International Cheetah Day; Wear Brown Shoes Day
- 5 - World Soil Day
- 8 - National Brownie Day; Pretend to be a Time Traveller Day
- 10 - National Lager Day
- 11 - International Mountain Day
- 13 - National Cocoa Day
- 14 - Monkey Day... wait isn't that every day?
- 16 - National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day; National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
- 17 - National Maple Syrup Day
- 18 - Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day
- 19 - Winter Recess - aka Christmas Break
- 20 - National Sangria Day
- 21 - Winter Solstice
- 24 - John Muir Death (1914)
- 25 - Christmas Day; Sir Isaac Newton Born (1642)
- 26 - National Candy Cane Day
- 27 - Cut-out Snowflakes Day
- 28 - Galileo makes the first documented observation of Neptune (1612)
- 30 - Bacon Day
- 31 - Make up your Mind Day & National Champagne Day
This Mountain Kid Messenger December Edition is intended to be a fresh and timely breakdown of the observable phenomena occurring locally that tie to each of your grade levels, highlight and celebrate local learning and fun from the field, and share timely resources.
Time for S'more Outdoor Core!
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The Many Upsides of Outside!
Mental Health & Nature
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Mountain Kids, Winter, & How to Dress for Mountain Success
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Early Snow
December. White Xmas. Winter Solstice.
This is when we have winter on the mind. No matter the snowfall we certainly are deep in the throes of cold.
SnowSchool is our partner and resource for the winter months. Both Winter Ecology and Earth Sciences.
Each of your Grade-level Google Drives includes a Outdoor Core folder with a SnowSchool file and specific activities to guide NGSS learning for your grade than honor your Outdoor Core Year. I have embedded those links in the next column for each grade.
Outdoor Core Units that Fit your Year & the CA Science Framework
WWA
Winter Wildlands Alliance is the home for Snow School and their growing resources. SnowSchool at Home has the full curricular mix of the latest resources that work equally well at home and school. The national curriculum is arranged in grade bands K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12.
To log on for full access use the link and password below.
https://winterwildlands.org/previous-and-upcoming-activities/
password: SnowSchool-2020
Learning Landscapes
Feather River Land Trust
A printed copy of this handbook will be gifted to each teacher
Upper Feather River Watershed Video
Mystery Science Support
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Nature Journaling - John Muir Laws Links
Nature Journal Connection
How to Teach Nature Journaling
Wild Wonder Foundation
Mountain Kid Miles & Feet
The winter miles and feet will grow more slowly but the Mountain Kid adventures will build bodies, sense of accomplishment, and pride. Track their tracks out in the snow as they multiply their mileage and altitude. I have stickers waiting on the other side.
Kindergarten - The Garden Year
Kindergarten Outdoor Core Shared Drive
Follow the link to the PUSD Google Drive's shared drives. One of the drives is identified for your Outdoor Core grade level. These are your digital curriculum resources specific to your grade level.
On the PUSD Website and YouTube Channel live the video resources I have created and curated in recent years. Follow the link to get to the main page and then select your grade level. The videos are local phenomena throughout the year made by me as well as other scientists and stewards in the region.
TK-K Science
Science at the Kinder level is about the joy and wonder of exploring and discovery. NGSS is clear about it and I hope you are too. Being curious is who they are. Asking questions, which can be bottomless with the littles, is so essential to science. Your Mountain Kids are natural scientists. All they need to grow is outdoor time and space.
Garden Bed Time
Winter got a solid jump start on us in November and so your garden has been put "to bed". It isn't gone or forgotten but it is resting, and we all know how important nap time is. Just like us after a nap or good night of sleep, the garden will awaken in the Spring, refreshed and ready to begin again. But for now it is tucked in. Kids can even sing a lullaby or two. Last month I shared this short Winter Garden Lullaby I found from Waldorf, which has always integrated gardening and song into school life.
Weather Watch - Warming up to Getting Colder and Colder and
While the garden rests, the weather never does. Weather happens every day and so are your opportunity ties for teachable moments and local weather phenomena. From temperatures, to wind, to precipitation we experience it any time we are outside. Even the inside dry and warm teaches how hard we work to live with climate and weather. Keep it simple. Hot, warm, cool, cold. Windy. Cloudy.
December is our coldest month with many icy education days to come. How low will the temperature go? Cold isn't always fun but it can be inspiring. Have the kids watch the daily lows and highs, graphing the descent of temps as they play with the freezing point of 32 degrees and far below.
Winter Wear
TK-K is where Mountain Kids start to learn good habits for the years ahead. Winter is our most risky season. The way we hack that risk is knowing how to take care of ourselves from head to toe. This can be fun learning and use the graphic above to look at each part - Head (beanie), Body (layers), Toe (boots). There is more to it but simple is best.
Let's Go! Tracks in the Snow - this video is a read out loud introducing kids to tracks in the snow one of the most enjoyable activities for Mountain Kids in the snowy winter.
Icicles
Icicles are a perfect phenomenon in the winter and most kids love them. They are beautiful, magical, even mysterious. They are also somewhat edible although those coming off of roofs and other natural environments are not safe to lick for Mountain Kids. Why would you want a roof icicle when you can have a tree icicle.
So what makes an icicle form? Two videos you can use are below.
Video 1 is a time lapse clip of icicles forming.
Video 2 is a homegrown video that begins with icicles but moves into other areas on snowy, winter exploration
First Grade - Year of the Invertebrate
First Grade Outdoor Core Shared Drive
Follow the link to the PUSD Google Drive's shared drives. One of the drives is identified for your Outdoor Core grade level. These are your digital curriculum resources specific to your grade level.
On the PUSD Website and YouTube Channel live the video resources I have created and curated in recent years. Follow the link to get to the main page and then select your grade level. The videos are local phenomena throughout the year made by me as well as other scientists and stewards in the region.
Inertebrates in the Winter
No invertebrate above the ground, survived November. This winter insect video looks at a few ways that insects get through our coldest months. There is a Mystery Science Mini Lesson on this very subject too.
There were only three options to the end of the line for an invertebrate last month.
1) Fly Away - Migration
An insect has to have wings in order to migrate. That immediately disqualifies most insects but some of our Dragonflies, Beetles, Butterflies, and Moths take on the journey. Monarchs are the most famous but there are others. This is a sweet Monarch Video narrated by a young girl.
2) Hide Away - The big D!
No, not death. As I mentioned last month, Diapause is how most of our mountain invertebrates make it through the winter. Di-a-pause means "through the pause/wait". Here is a little YouTube video I shared previously just in case you have not taught your kids about the big D.
3) Stowaway - Human Homes
Because we heat our homes all winter, we create a Plan C for some insects. Ants and spiders are two invertebrates who will suddenly pop up in your home in the middle of Winter. They move in under our homes or in hidden, small spaces in walls and attics.
Astronomy
The beauty of studying the sun and moon is that they are up there every single day, so every day is perfect for exploring these objects and their phenomena. Of course while the sun and moon are always there, our experience of them changes every single day. This allows Mountain Kids to explore patters, cause and effect, change over time - all very important scientific concepts. Some of the fun phenomena are:
The sunrise and sunset times - Good homework is having the kids record what time the sun disappears at the end of the day. It will vary depending on where they live and the horizon line.
The sun angle and shadows - Because we travel around the sun and the earth is tilted on its axis, as we travel toward the Winter Solstice, the sun passes lower in the southern sky. You can measure this change directly, from the horizon to the sun position. Another fun way is to look at the cause and effect of this sun angle on the shadows around you. Use a tetherball pole, a basketball standard, a fence post or other vertical object that casts a shadow. Go out at the same time of day each week and mark with chalk the end of the shadow. Measure the length of the shadow. Record the change. Graph that change.
Celebrate the full moon - You can count down day after day until you reach the Full Moon each month. Since they have names it is easy to celebrate and the names normally relate to the time of year and important outdoor events like this month's Cold Moon, also known as the Long Night's Moon.
Winter Solstice - December, as already shared above, is home of the Winter Solstice on December 21st. This will be the longest night of the year when 15 hours of dark and only 9 hours of light. Many northern cultures celebrate with candles or bonfires. A good homework assignment over the Winter Break to catch the sunrise and sunset of this significant day of our 365-day year. The link will take you to EarthSky, one of my "go to" sites for info, images, and more.
Two Bright Planets
This month, after the sun goes down, we are graced by two planets that orbit further from the sun than the Earth. Facing south the brightest light right in front of you and toward the west (right) is Jupiter. Rising to the east (left) will be our gold-orange-red n neighbor Mars. Mars will be at it's nearest distance to Earth this year on December 1st.
The Geminids are a significant meteor shower in the year, with up to 120 meteors per hour when the moonlight cooperated. It will be a waning gibbous moon on the peak night, December 14, so viewing should be good. Of course it will be cold viewing but some of your hearty Mountain Kids may brave it with some extra credit encouragement. Like last month you could make it a challenge. Kids sleep out on a clear night, bundled up, and between 7 and 8:00pm. Who can see the most?
Cold Moon
December 7 is our aptly named full moon. It is a good time for a night hike,. especially if there is snow to reflect the reflected moonlight. There are other names from various indigenous tribes that all reflect the cold - everything from Longest Night Moon (Mohican) to Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree). The full moon rises as the sun sets so the phenomena are double.
High Sky Moon Path
Lastly, the highest lunar sky path happens in December due to our tilt and position and the length of the night gives us a full 15 hours of viewing. It is opposite the sun path. So not only the length of light and night in a day is synchronized but it is also the sun and moon angle. So Winter Solstice is high moon and low sun. Summer Solstice is low moon and high sun. And the Spring and Fall Equinox are equal angle and path of sun and moon.
The Mystery Science Spinning Sky Unit also has new lessons to support Sun & Shadows and Moon & Stars.
Second Grade - Year of the Herp
Second Grade Outdoor Core Shared Drive
Follow the link to the PUSD Google Drive's shared drives. One of the drives is identified for your Outdoor Core grade level. These are your digital curriculum resources specific to your grade level.
On the PUSD Website and YouTube Channel live the video resources I have created and curated in recent years. Follow the link to get to the main page and then select your grade level. The videos are local phenomena throughout the year made by me as well as other scientists and stewards in the region.
Brumation
Science does not stop in the Winter, but herpetology takes a big pause over the next few months and so can you. Just imagine slowing down like our Amphibian and Reptile friends. If you have not yet done so, please introduce Brumation as an important science term for the year as it is the most important word throughout the Winter months ahead. This video from Nick, a reptile lover in Australia, gives a good explanation of how Brumation differs from Hibernation.
Winter Super Powers of Herps
While most herps go into that winter hiding and brumation, some have special abilities that allow them to survive winter. This Mystery Science Mini Lesson shares the abilities of Wood Frogs (aka the frogcicle) and some turtle species (butt breathing) that help them to survive the freezing cold of winter.
Water in Winter
Water has 3 states: gas, liquid, and solid. In nature water in winter is about solid learning. Snow and Ice, two great joys for Mountain Kids.
Icicles
Icicles are a perfect phenomenon in the winter and most kids love them. They are beautiful, magical, even mysterious. They are also somewhat edible although those coming off of roofs and other natural environments are not safe to lick for Mountain Kids. Why would you want a roof icicle when you can have a tree icicle.
So what makes an icicle form? Two videos you can use are below.
Video 1 is a time lapse clip of icicles forming.
Video 2 is a homegrown video that begins with icicles but moves into other areas on snowy, winter exploration
A Few Current Events and Newsworthy Articles
- Stop Licking the Toad - The National Parks protect many species from many dangers but the danger of being licked by people is not very common. This NPR article is a little tongue in cheek and a little serious tongue on toad.
- Talking Turtles - While turtles don't talk like we do, many turtles that had been thought to be non-verbal, essentially silent, are not. Scientists have discovered that some of these silent amphibians have a voice. Using underwater recording, they discovered the click, chirp, hiss and purr sounds of "turtle talk".
- The Remarkable Recovery of Endangered Southern Frogs - Frogs are very sensitive to changes in their environment. Our own Yellow-legged are struggling. Harelquin frogs in central and South America that were threatened and endangered and heading toward extinction are making a comeback.
Third Grade - Year of the Mammal
Third Grade Outdoor Core Shared Drive
Follow the link to the PUSD Google Drive's shared drives. One of the drives is identified for your Outdoor Core grade level. These are your digital curriculum resources specific to your grade level.
On the PUSD Website and YouTube Channel live the video resources I have created and curated in recent years. Follow the link to get to the main page and then select your grade level. The videos are local phenomena throughout the year made by me as well as other scientists and stewards in the region.
Mammals in Winter
Our mammals play with physical and behavioral changes to survive and even thrive in the winter. The strategies of adaptation, hibernation, and migration all play a part although our mammals don't hibernate all winter like the cartoons would offer. Most of our mammals slow down and will sleep for different lengths of time. Watch to see if you can observe some of these changes from the campus, to the years at home.
This Mystery Science Lesson on hibernation is generalized but applies to our Black Bears.
Tracks
One of the most wonderful phenomenon in the Winter is tracking mammals in the snow. It is a science and an art. I will share more in January including my Zoom video from last year. Below are two videos guiding kids forward.
A Few Fascinating Current Articles & Events
- Daylight Savings Change & Roadkill - We all know how much the earlier arrival of dusk and dark impacts the end of our day when this late fall change occurs but for deer it is a far greater hazard leading to a 16% increase in collision fatalities.
- Rockin' Rats - Researchers used popular and classical music to test rat responses to good beat and rhythm. We are a lot like our distant rat cousins when it comes to head bopping.'
Weather Watch
Weather is a daily and even minute by minute phenomenon and an important part of the 3rd grade year. The weather will be shifting more profoundly in October and so observing those trends is essential. Even watching a local weather forecast is a good regular activity. Here is Meteorologist, Dirk Verdoorn's forecast for .
Keep track of the basics:
- Temperatures (High & Low)
- Wind (Direction & Speed)
- Precipitation (Amount& Type)
- Humidity (The relationship between temperature and humidity)
And remember when you look up the weather forecast, those meteorologists are faraway forecasters. We get to check their accuracy here on the ground. I have a rain gauge and thermometer upon request.
December Full Moon
While astronomy is not officially part of 3rd grade science in California it is worth noting that the Lakota People in the midwest call the December Full Moon, Deer Losing Antler Moon, for the important phenomenon that would happen at this time of year.
Fourth Grade - Year of the Trout
Fourth Grade Outdoor Core Shared Drive
Follow the link to the PUSD Google Drive's shared drives. One of the drives is identified for your Outdoor Core grade level. These are your digital curriculum resources specific to your grade level.
On the PUSD Website and YouTube Channel live the video resources I have created and curated in recent years. Follow the link to get to the main page and then select your grade level. The videos are local phenomena throughout the year made by me as well as other scientists and stewards in the region.
Tracking Changes Along the River
We can't exactly experience the changes that our submerged Trout friends go through, but the changes we can observe along the riparian area ripple above and below the water's surface. The changing leaves and their abscission (when they fall off) are a major change. The shade of the broad-leaved trees and shrubs along our rivers and creeks kept the water cool through the hot summer. And yet as we move toward winter that is no longer as important and ironically these same trees and shrubs shed their leaves to keep a little more sun shining through.
For several years California Sate Parks are offering the Adventure Pass for FREE to every California 4th grader. While Plumas Eureka is our only local state park (and one of my favorite) within a day are many more. Click on the link and share with every student and their family. The process is simple. A parent or guardian goes to www.ReserveCalifornia.com or they can call (800) 444-7275. The third option is to go to the nearest state park with a sales office. The closest to us is in Truckee tan the Donner Visitor Center.
Feather River Trout Unlimited
I am happy to announce that Mike Kossow, FRTU volunteer extraordinaire, has accepted the role of Education Coordinator this year. His name is hyperlinked to his email address. He and the other amazing volunteers of FR Trout Unlimited continue to support your efforts to educate and inspire your Mountain Kids in the 4th grade. A special nod to Cindy Noble, FRTU Executive Director, who continues to bridge changes with commitment.
You and your kids get to learn from real local scientists and experienced anglers in the region. This will heat up in a few months but the trout are still out there in our lakes and rivers, slowing down and biding their time until Spring. If you you are not receiving a reply, please let me know.
Xmas Wish List
FRTUs Cindy has requested your input on educational resources that would help you "across the board." Anything from book(s), trout replicas, field guides, to name a few. You know your needs so use this Google Form to share your trout resource needs. Thanks.
Post Salmon Run Trips
Going to the lower Feather River to kayak with the Chinook Salmon can be a disconnected "one-off" without the contact that those same fish used to migrate all of the way up to the Upper FR tributaries. They no longer are able to make that journey to complete their natural cycle due to more than the Oroville Dam. A follow-up field trip to the Feather River Canyon to look more closely at the obstructions (dams) that keep our Steelhead and Salmon from returning to their traditional spawning grounds completes the story. Please reach out to me with your interest and potential dates. And don't forget the other FR Canyon field trip - The Belden Quest.
Recent Events & Articles
- Demolishing Dams - The Klamath River is moving toward being Dam Free! This is a very historic decision and was largely influenced by Native American tribes. A good article that bundles many curricular areas for the Year of the Trout.
- Fish Stories - If anyone ever says they caught a fish as big as a person, it likely is a tall tale in 2022, but not so 100 years ago. Human-sized Chinook Salmon were common back then. The changes have many causes. Good article that examines change over time.
- Thank you Asteroids - What is an asteroid doing in the Year of the trout? Well scientists have hypothesized that water on earth may have originated from asteroids impacting the Earth. A recent meteorite that landed in Scotland was found to be 11% water. Next time you see a shooting star (meteor) make a wish and say thank you.
- Restoring Native American Place Names in Minnesota - This article shares an effort in Minnesota to restore native language names to the state. Think about it... for thousands of years a mountain or lake bears a name and then due to new immigrants with more power and different language just change all of the names. Should we do the same?
#250 Lapland Longspur
#251 Pacific Loon
#252 Long-tailed Duck
Fifth Grade - Year of the Bird
Fifth Grade Outdoor Core Shared Drive
Follow the link to the PUSD Google Drive's shared drives. One of the drives is identified for your Outdoor Core grade level. These are your digital curriculum resources specific to your grade level.
On the PUSD Website and YouTube Channel live the video resources I have created and curated in recent years. Follow the link to get to the main page and then select your grade level. The videos are local phenomena throughout the year made by me as well as other scientists and stewards in the region.
PAS adds a lot of value to what you do as a 5th grade teacher. You not only have scientists behind you, you have an entire organization. PAS assembled the PEEP curriculum with us 5 years ago that still is a fundamental foundation for your Outdoor Core year. It is in your Shared Drive and a hardcopy binder should be in every classroom.
Liz Ramsey, has confirmed that you can count on one monthly visit each month to support your efforts. Most of you should have had some contact by now, but if not, please follow her scheduling link.
Christmas Bird Count
Birders are an avid bunch and they punctuate they year with "Big" events. One of the oldest and most significant is the Christmas Bird Count. In our area there are three locations on three different days.
- Sierra Valley - 12/15 (Colin Dillingham - colindillingham2@gmail.com or 530-394-8129)
- American Valley - 12/17 (Darrel Jury - darrelboydjury@gmail.com)
- Almanor Basin - 12/18 (Colin Dillingham - colindillingham2@gmail.com or 530-394-8129)
Winter Residents
Winter is a leaner time for birds, but there are many species who are like us. They change their behavior, add a few feathers and have other tricks to make it all work Video. It isn't easy to survive, as we know, but these are the tough 4-season residents - tough like our Mountain Kids. Interestingly they are some of the smallest birds - Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets - to name a few. Two perks of birding in the winter
- Leaf-less deciduous trees offer easier viewing
- There are fewer birds but it makes it easier to know what is out and about
Winter Raptors
Raptors can have a hard time with many smaller birds that constantly antagonize them. Because many bird species leave during the winter, many raptors prefer our area in the Winter. In the valleys where gophers and voles poke out to forage, the raptors treat it like their own pantry. This winter looks a little lean in Sierra Valley but I had my best American Valley raptor outing ever. Look for Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Ferruginous Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Ham, Coopers Hawk, Prairie Falcon, American Kestrel, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle are some of your possible birds.
eBird Resources
Trend Maps show how the population trends are changing for different species throughout the United States. It is interesting and these maps are also a result of eBird submissions from citizens, including your Mountain kids. The data they collect can help them learn as well as other ornithologists.
Whitebark Pine & Clarks Nutcracker This story and video share the amazing symbiotic relationship between a bird and a tree. In our region you will only find them in Lassen National Park but they are throughout the high Sierra.
Sparrows I just had a record-breaking experience, identifying 11 species of Sparrows in one afternoon. Of course I had a little help from one of the best Ornithologists in Plumas County, Paul Hardy, but it was wonderful to lean into an edge I had long avoided. The link will take you to a free sparrow lesson offered by the Cornell Bird Academy. It all begins with one bird.
Bird Education Webinars Cornell offers K-12 Webinars to help you grow your bird education chops. They are free. You just have to register and make a little time for these 60 minute sessions.
Live Bird Cams are a way to eavesdrop on different species in different places. While we don't have any locally, technology allows us to look at familiar and exotic species. A rich payoff is to invest in a relationship with a given bird or location and follow it through the year. Cornell yet again offers the richest resources on their site.
Broke the Big Year Record
Paul Hardy, Plumas County local and son of retired PUSD teachers Richard (PHS Spanish) and Becky (CRC Elementary), has broken Plumas County Big Year Record! This is the most bird species observed in a calendar year. The record of 251 has stood since 2012.
During November, Paul moved from 248 species to 252. 249 was a Ross' Goose just south of Quincy in Thompson Valley. 250 was a Lapland Longspur in Sierra Valley. Then on 11/14 Paul tied the record of 251 at Lake Almanor with a Pacific Loon. Finally, on 11/23 Paul found a rare sighting in Plumas County, a long-tailed duck at the Graeagle Mill Pond. These final three are pictured above.
I was fortunate to share in the moment as the sun set on this water fowl species found normally on the coast. You can see his year in the order of observation on eBird https://ebird.org/region/US-CA-063/ebirders?yr=cur&m= I
Paul Hardy Big Year Zoom - Paul will lead a Zoom on Thursday 12/8 12:45 - 1:45. I tried to split the difference so that everyone could join for at least 20 minutes. It will be a Q & A and some of his favorite birds. Zoom link
Great Articles
- Mental Health of Bird Walks - SEL can look a lot of ways for our Mountain kids but time spent outside ties naturally to our Outdoor Core. Researchers have long identified the benefit of time outside to mental health. This recent study looked more closely at birding and birdsongs in nature. Your Year of the Bird is that perfect fit any day and time of the year.
- Accidental & Rare Birds - When a Blackburnian Warbler from the Eastern US found its way on to a British Island it made headlines. While this article focuses over there, we have our own share of rare and accidental avian-visitors. This includes the last three birds that Paul Hardy found this month to break the record.
Winter Solstice - December, as already shared above, is home of the Winter Solstice on December 21st. This will be the longest night of the year when 15 hours of dark and only 9 hours of light. Many northern cultures celebrate with candles or bonfires. A good homework assignment over the Winter Break to catch the sunrise and sunset of this significant day of our 365-day year. The link will take you to EarthSky, one of my "go to" sites for info, images, and more.
The Geminids are a significant meteor shower in the year, with up to 120 meteors per hour when the moonlight cooperated. It will be a waning gibbous moon on the peak night, December 14, so viewing should be good. Of course it will be cold viewing but some of your hearty Mountain Kids may brave it with some extra credit encouragement. Like last month you could make it a challenge. Kids sleep out on a clear night, bundled up, and between 7 and 8:00pm. Who can see the most?
Two Bright Planets
This month, after the sun goes down, we are graced by two planets that orbit further from the sun than the Earth. Facing south the brightest light right in front of you and toward the west (right) is Jupiter. Rising to the east (left) will be our gold-orange-red n neighbor Mars. Mars will it's closest to Earth this year on December 1.
Cold Moon
December 7 is our aptly named full moon. It is a good time for a night hike,. especially if there is snow to reflect the reflected moonlight. There are other names from various indigenous tribes that all reflect the cold - everything from Longest Night Moon (Mohican) to Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree). The full moon rises as the sun sets so the phenomena are double.
High Sky Moon Path
Lastly, the highest lunar sky path happens in December due to our tilt and position and the length of the night gives us a full 15 hours of viewing. It is opposite the sun path. So not only the length of light and night in a day is synchronized but it is also the sun and moon angle. So Winter Solstice is high moon and low sun. Summer Solstice is low moon and high sun. And the Spring and Fall Equinox are equal angle and path of sun and moon.
Sixth Grade - Watershed Year
Sixth Grade Outdoor Core Shared Drive
Follow the link to the PUSD Google Drive's shared drives. One of the drives is identified for your Outdoor Core grade level. These are your digital curriculum resources specific to your grade level.
On the PUSD Website and YouTube Channel live the video resources I have created and curated in recent years. Follow the link to get to the main page and then select your grade level. The videos are local phenomena throughout the year made by me as well as other scientists and stewards in the region.
Watershed - Monthly Trip Break
Being a shorter month we don't do a watershed field trip this month. Of course there is a ton of phenomena to explore on your Watershed Wednesdays or any day or night of the week. Enjoy the pause but like weather, water, the sun and moon, the world never stops.
SnowSchool
Our friends in Boise Idaho lead a national program that we have been a part of for many years. I already shared resources above but no one goes deeper with snow than 6th grade. We will get cold and heavy with this in January but if the phenomenon outside is snowstorm and snowpack we try to authentically reflect reality. If you are ready and. want to lean in the general website page is
If you want to make a snowpack prediction for the high measurement for snow water for the coming winter, the general contest page is Snowpack Prediction Contest. Our Plumas prediction page is https://winterwildlands.org/plumas-county/. The winner winds a pizza party or a very extravagant dessert on the P2P. Contest is completed and the winner declared on April 1, the official end of our snow season. As I shared in a November email message. I predicted early and have ambitiously chosen 59" of snow water. That is depth x density (you have to subtract out the air. Again I will cover this officially in January.
The California Data Exchange Center snow data. is where I go to track snow, flow and reservoir H2O. It is a public site and if you are compelled it is full of watershed information.
Astronomy
Winter Solstice - December, as already shared above, is home of the Winter Solstice on December 21st. This will be the longest night of the year when 15 hours of dark and only 9 hours of light. Many northern cultures celebrate with candles or bonfires. A good homework assignment over the Winter Break to catch the sunrise and sunset of this significant day of our 365-day year. The link will take you to EarthSky, one of my "go to" sites for info, images, and more.
The Geminids are a significant meteor shower in the year, with up to 120 meteors per hour when the moonlight cooperated. It will be a waning gibbous moon on the peak night, December 14, so viewing should be good. Of course it will be cold viewing but some of your hearty Mountain Kids may brave it with some extra credit encouragement. Like last month you could make it a challenge. Kids sleep out on a clear night, bundled up, and between 7 and 8:00pm. Who can see the most?
Two Bright Planets
This month, after the sun goes down, we are graced by two planets that orbit further from the sun than the Earth. Facing south the brightest light right in front of you and toward the west (right) is Jupiter. Rising to the east (left) will be our gold-orange-red n neighbor Mars. Mars will it's closest to Earth this year on December 1.
Cold Moon
December 7 is our aptly named full moon. It is a good time for a night hike,. especially if there is snow to reflect the reflected moonlight. There are other names from various indigenous tribes that all reflect the cold - everything from Longest Night Moon (Mohican) to Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree). The full moon rises as the sun sets so the phenomena are double.
High Sky Moon Path
Lastly, the highest lunar sky path happens in December due to our tilt and position and the length of the night gives us a full 15 hours of viewing. It is opposite the sun path. So not only the length of light and night in a day is synchronized but it is also the sun and moon angle. So Winter Solstice is high moon and low sun. Summer Solstice is low moon and high sun. And the Spring and Fall Equinox are equal angle and path of sun and moon.
Weather, Winter, & Watersheds
A big part of the year is climate and weather as it really drives the water story and journey we will be a part of all year. Winter specifically is our big season of noticing as winter snow becomes the river flow and everything beyond. Open Snow is my source for snow weather and forecasting. Even though we are still in summer's grasp, NOAA and other's in the meteorological sciences are using forecasting models to explore the coming winter. Check out their long-range winter forecast.
Field Trip Forecasting
For the short range, get into the habit of forecasting the weather prior to our field trips. Use a weather forecast to plan effectively for the conditions to come. Our Mountain Kids should be savvy enough to look up a dependable forecast and decide what to wear and how to prepare.
Even watching a local weather forecast is a good regular activity. Here is Meteorologist, Dirk Verdoorn's forecast for Early November.
Keep track of the basics:
- Temperatures (High & Low)
- Wind (Direction & Speed)
- Precipitation (Amount& Type)
- Humidity (The relationship between temperature and humidity)
And remember when you look up the weather forecast, those meteorologists are faraway forecasters. We get to check their accuracy here on the ground.
Recent Articles & Current Events
- Demolishing Dams - The Klamath River is moving toward being Dam Free! This is a very historic decision and was largely influenced by Native American tribes. While we benefit from our many FR dams it would be amazing to Free the Feather.
- Thank you Asteroids - What is an asteroid doing in the Year of the trout? Well scientists have hypothesized that water on earth may have originated from asteroids impacting the Earth. A recent meteorite that landed in Scotland was found to be 11% water. Next time you see a shooting star (meteor) make a wish and say thank you.
- Mauna Loa Eruption - This Hawaiian and world's largest active volcano erupted on Sunday 11/27 for the first time in 38 years. Could our Lassen Peak erupt again too?
- Colorado River Law turns 100 - A century ago 7 states signed a law dividing up the water of the Colorado River. Unfortunately an old law cannot guide the real world of 2022 and it is largely a disaster, especially for the river. While this is not our watershed, it does echo the saying "Whiskey is for drinking. Water is fighting over."
Outdoor Core Mountain Kid
Email: rwade@pcoe.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.pcoe.k12.ca.us/apps/pages/OutdoorCore
Location: Upper Feather River Region
Phone: 530 283-6500 5257