Previous TopClicks
from Net-mom®
|
 |
Spring
It's the turn of the season with this week's spring equinox, and those in the northern hemisphere are looking for signs that winter's really over. On the Web I've been searching too. I've found robins, chorusing frogs, and an explanation about why we have seasons, so come along and I'll show you, too! As always, please preview my recommendations to make sure they are appropriate for your family.
Why do we have different seasons, anyway? No, it's not because the Earth is closest to the Sun in summer and farthest away in winter! It is sometimes confusing to explain, but seasons change because of the tilt of the Earth's axis as it revolves during its orbit of the Sun. This is explained in different ways at the following Web sites, so visit them all until you understand why the Northern Hemisphere is now moving into spring while the Southern Hemisphere is drawing towards autumn.
What causes the earth to experience different seasons?
Here Comes the Sun: a Solar/Terrestrial Tutorial
Why Are There Seasons?
Journey North 2000
Did you know you can track the progress of spring as it moves north? At Journey North you can find out where the ice has gone out of the lakes, where the spring frogs are croaking, where the maple sap is running, and where the robins have landed, among other things. But that's not the best part. You can send in your own backyard reports to let others know what's happening in your own community! To submit a sighting you do have to register first (it's free) but otherwise the site's available for all users to enjoy.
Exploratorium: Frogs
The Exploratorium is a wonderful hands-on science museum in San Francisco, California. You can visit numerous online exhibits at their ever-changing web site. While you're there, don't miss the special feature on frogs. You'll learn how to separate frog science from frog fantasy (sorry, there are no enchanted princes!). My favorite part of this site is called Frog Tracker. You need to have the Shockwave browser plug-in, but if you don't have it just click on Help to download it for free. This neat little piece of edutainment transports you to a nighttime swamp, armed with only a flashlight. As you point your narrow beam through the reeds, it will fall on various types of frogs. Click the frog to add its voice to the frog chorus.
Kevin's Garden Cam
In the English midlands, Kevin's garden is almost in bloom! See how his garden grows as he updates his web site once per day. Check the archives to see how far it's come from bud to bloom.
Kids Domain SpringTime Fun
Whether you're looking for springtime clip art, ideas for easy-to-make crafts, or online games with seasonal themes, you'll find what you seek at Kids Domain. In "Gopher Hide n Seek" you'll have to remember the order in which the gophers appear. Let's see, was it stump-hole-tree-tree or the other way around? How many rounds can you play until you miss? Very little children will enjoy "Decorate a Butterfly," while older ones might prefer "Catch the Wubblies" or "Don's Dugout" for more of a challenge.
Net-mom® is a registered service mark of Jean Armour Polly.
|
