As I cautiously approach the month of March, the saying “in like a lion, out like a lamb” is coming to my mind.  I’m wondering if the saying will prove itself true.  Will the beginning of March roar?  March is renowned for dramatic changes in weather patterns.  Perhaps the long icy fingers of winter do not want to let go of their grasp; and this makes for an epic battle between the forces of bitter cold winter and temperate warm spring.  Knowing the inevitable outcome, you’d think after all these years winter would surrender peaceably.

No matter why the beginning of March wears a mane and the end is as gentle as a lamb, one thing is for sure, the unsteady weather provides some great teaching opportunities for our children.  There is a seemingly unending list of wonderfully educational and fun things to do for “weather school” in March.  When I think of the weather in March I think primarily of wind, rain, rainbows, clouds, and changing temperatures.  The following websites are packed FULL of wonderful activities and ideas for things you could do with your children to learn about weather.

 Useful Internet Links:

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/index.htm

http://www.theweatherchannelkids.com/

http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/

http://www.scholastic.com/kids/weather/

http://www.wildwildweather.com/

 On these websites, you will find a plethora of ideas for educational experiments and activities that will lend themselves to teaching concepts for not only Science, but also Bible, Math, Language Arts, and even History.

 And don’t forget about literature resources.  Do a quick search at the library and you’ll be amazed at what’s available!  Narrow it down by asking your children what they are interested in, whether it is specifically wind, rain, clouds or whatever their choice, there is an abundance of good book resources out there to choose from.  One of my favorite books on weather experiments is Wild Science Projects About Earth’s Weather. And one of our favorite picture books to read is Storm in the Night.

 And best of all by using weather for school in March you’ll be able to fling open the school doors, rush through the threshold, get outside and experience it! Oh, which reminds me, don’t forget “go fly a kite” too! 

 I’m encouraging you to break out of the norm and do something different in March.  I know we’re approaching the dreaded last leg of the school year, and that could be just the recipe you need to breathe new life into learning for your children.

Now, what’s even more exciting than the roaring lion and baa’ing lamb of March?  Of course, the April showers that bring May flowers!

  

Tags: march, spring, weather

This entry was posted by Melissa on Sunday, March 1st, 2009 at 2:18 pm and is filed under Nature in Spring, Weather. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.