Nature Net News
March 2009
In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb
"The roaring of lions, the howling of
wolves,
the raging of the stormy sea, and the destructive sword,
are
portions of eternity too great for the eye of man."
William Blake
Dear Reader, Some moments from elementary school just stick with you. I myself have a very clear fourth grade memory of Mrs. Brown's March bulletin board. I don't know whether this recollection is so strong because I enjoyed placing either a lion or lamb cut-out on the calendar each day, or because it spoke to the budding phenologist in me who loved making seasonal observations. Perhaps I fancied myself a meteorologist of sorts - one who could, after all, predict with confidence the weather one month out. Maybe it was simply - as it is today - the excitement of knowing spring's lamb-like weather is right around the corner. Does the weather really act like a lion or lamb? And is the old proverb really true - will the month end with lambish calm and warmth? Find out in this month's Nature Net News plus, create your own March "bulletin board", prepare your closet for "snirt", and visit real lions at the Henry Vilas Zoo. Enjoy! Betsy & Kathe |
Some believe the proverb "In like a lion, out like a lamb" may have historical founding not just in weather but in constellations? In the beginning of March, Leo the Lion's constellation is rising on the eastern horizon of the evening sky, while by the end of the month, Aries the Ram (or lamb) is setting in the west. See the Star Gazer's cartoon or video on the topic.
What to Do This Month:
Track the weather this month with your own hand-crafted rain gauge and anemometer (to measure wind velocity).
Learn to judge wind speed by reading indicators around you with the Beaufort scale.
Take advantage of March winds and make (and fly) a kite.
Make "Rain Sticks" at the Madison Children's Museum on March 22nd or 28th.
Find other Nature Net events on the Nature Net Calendar.
Tricks of the Trail for Parents:
Snow+Dirt=Snirt
With March's ever-shifting weather, melting snow, and sometimes sudden changes in conditions, be prepared for the elements by shifting your child's wardrobe into "snirt" season. While winter boots and snow pants may be too warm and too easily soaked by snow-melt, there is still a need to cover up and keep dry while adventuring on the trails, in the backyard or at the playground. Gear up with rain boots with an extra layer of socks and throw on a pair of weather-resisting nylon rain pants. For older kids who may not be romping in cold puddles but still need to keep clean and dry, try a pair of gaiters (as mentioned in January's Nature Net News). You also wont regret packing an extra pair of dry socks in a zip-lock bag to refresh snirt-soddened socks.
Instant Outdoor Expert:
Pondering Proverbs
Our modern daily commute to the office is quite unlike that of the early workforce who, with occupations like farming, shepherding and fishing the seas, spent most of their on-the-clock hours outdoors. Being aware of the weather was a must, being able to predict the weather was a boon. With constant opportunities to observe and track the weather, it's not a surprise many of today's weather proverbs like "In like a lion, out like a lamb" likely originated from a more pastoral time. In fact, the first recorded mention of the lion/lamb proverb appears in a 1624 play by English playwright John Fletcher. But are all weather proverbs accurate and do the observations made in Europe's seventeenth century hold true in America today? Using the National Weather Service's "Observed Weather Reports", which detail daily weather observations through the past five years, a warming pattern can be identified by comparing Madison, Wisconsin's average temperature on March 1 to March 31's (which confirms an average difference of 13.2 degrees). But can a 30-degree day with clouds and nine mile an hour winds, as was observed on March 31st, 2004, be deemed lamb-like? Considering March 1st of the same year had a high of 56 degrees, most would say March 2004 came in like a lamb and out like a lion (and some do contend the proverb is indeed reversible). Ultimately, there's little statistical evidence to be found concerning the true validity of March's lion and lamb adage. Two things are clear: March always begins in winter and ends in spring; and you can't go amiss in trusting the general accuracy of observations made by generations of outdoorsmen.
If you want to make your own comparisons, you can find historical data on the National Weather Service website.
You might also be interested in proving or disproving other weather proverbs.
Featured Nature Net Site
Nature Craft
Henry Vilas Zoo
Did you know in October 2004, five African Lion Cubs,
three males and two females, were born at the Henry Vilas Zoo? Since that
time, all five of the cubs have been placed in Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA) accredited Zoos,
where they continue to play a role in the African Lion Species Survival Plan. There are only 68 pedigreed
(those whose genetic history can be traced back to the wild)
African Lions in the 214 AZA accredited
zoos. Madison and the Henry Vilas Zoo are proud to play a valuable role
in the survival of the endangered African Lion.
When you visit Vilas Zoo, be sure to stop by the
Big Cat Complex where big cats roam in natural like settings. Large viewing windows allow an
up-close encounter with these magnificent animals.
You also wont want to miss the new features in the
Children's Zoo, including the new Electric Zoo Train,
which holds about twenty passengers and travels through a tunnel and
around the perimeter of our new children's zoo animal exhibits; the Conservation Carousel;
and the new Animal Exhibit which is home to the Zoo's Indian Crested Porcupines,
Red-necked Wallabies, White Handed Gibbons, White Cockatoo
and a couple new animals to Henry Vilas Zoo: Red Pandas and (as from
"The Lion King") Meerkats.
ZOO HOURS
Grounds: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Daily
Buildings:
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The
Children's Zoo is open May 1 - Labor Day
Lion & Lamb Calendar
Determine for yourself if the old proverb is true with this simple and
interactive craft.
First, talk to your children about what the saying
"In like a lion, out like a lamb" might mean. What aspects of weather
determine whether it is ferocious or gentle? List
elements of weather like temperature, wind, rain, snow, etc. that
describe each. Now, make lion and lamb drawings, cut outs, crafts or
clip photographs of each from magazines.
Does your calendar begin with a Lion and end with a Lamb? Is
March more lion- or lamb-like? Are you surprised at your results? What
do you think will happen next year?
Choose a particular time of day (right before lunch or supper are good
times as it will help engage and include the children in dinnertime
conversation). Each day, at the given time, have your child adhere the
appropriate lamb or lion artwork on a calendar grid.
You can also add a bit of math and graphing practice by drawing a two
column table with one side "Lion" and one side "Lamb". Have your
child color one of the
squares on either the lion or the lamb side (depending on what the
weather is like) each day. And of course, you can add a bit of science
and observation skills by recording the daily temperature.
On blustery March days, warm up in the kitchen with a Lion and Lamb
bread dough idea from
FamilyFun.com.
Suggested Reading:
"In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb" (In the Hands of a
Child: Project Pack) by Niki Mcneil (age all)
"Weather Forecasting" by Gail Gibbons (age 4-8)
"Feel the Wind by Arthur Dorros" (age 4-8)
"March (Months of the Year)" by Robyn Brode (age 4-8)
"On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the World's Weather" by Marilyn Singer
(age 4-8)
"Fresh & Fun: March" by Jacqueline Clarke (age 6-8)
"Art for All Seasons" by Joy Evans (age 6-8)
"Discover Nature in the Weather: Things to Know and Things to Do" by Tim
Herd (age 6-12)
"Exploring the Sky: Projects for Beginning Astronomers" by Richard Moeschl
(age 8-12)
"Learning About Spring with Children's Literature" by Margaret A. Bryant
(age adult)
