October 2003 Week 4 Observations

Participants are listed by latitude and longitide, starting from the northernmost latitude. 54:52N-40:00N | 39:59N-29:27N | Firsts | Map | Quest [39:59N 82:59W] USA Ohio, Columbus Trinity School, Ms. Olvera & Ms. Haninger's second graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: Some more season's firsts: Spiders laying eggs, pumpkin picking, lots of grey and white clouds, darker days, many windy days, and change of time. this weekend we end daylight savings time...It is colder and darker in the morning. It is getting darke arlier in the evening. Today's high is excpected to be 52 or so and last evening's forcast included snow flurries in our state. LAND & WATER: Erosion is happening, frost is occuring and being observed on the grass in the morning. Grass is turning brown and you do not have to cut it as often. PLANTS: Spring and Summer plants are dying. People are brining plants indoors. Trees are loosing lots of leaves. Trees are getting very cold and nothing is moving inside them, they are going dormant. ANIMALS: Caterpillars or Wooly Bears are brown/black and furry. Squirrels are gathering more nuts for winter. Animals are growing thicker fur coats for winter. Birds are flying south, migrating to warmer temperatures. Turtles are hibernating and fish are swimming to deeper waters. PEOPLE: People are eating more apple stuff like Caramel apples. We are wearing turtleneck shirts, girls are wearing long pants. We are wearing coats/jackets, mittens, gloves, and hats. We are drinking more warm drinks like hot chocolate and hot cider. We are wearing shoes and socks and not sandals. OTHER: The heater is turned on and we are building fires in the fireplaces. More blankets are needed on our beds. We are roasting marshmallows in an open fire. People are staying indoors more because of the cold weather. [39:39N 85:08W] USA Indiana, Connersville Eastview Elementary School, Ms. Newton's first graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: Temperatures are once again "fall like" with highs in the 50' & 60's F. Lows are in the 40's and upper 30's. We have had a little rain, but have been mainly dry and sunny. LAND & WATER: The ground is now covered with an assortment of colored leaves, mailny brown. PLANTS: We noticed acorns popping open and sprouting. Grass is still growing well. People are still mowing lawns. ANIMALS: Chipmunks are busily gathering the acorns that have not sprouted. Insects like bees and ladybugs are trrying to find warm places inside houses. We have not seen any butterflies lately. PEOPLE: People are taking a fall vacation here. Many will go to Brown County to see the changing colors of leaves. But several trees are almost bare. It seems that fall came a bit earlier this year. Coats and jackets are seen more now. OTHER: Weather forecasters are predicting the first few snow flurries next week. [39:33N 95:08W] USA Kansas, Atchison Atchison Gifted Program, Ms. Van Dyke's students WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: In the eastern sky in the early morning light You can see a bright star if you look with all your might. It is Jupiter. LAND & WATER: The grass is covered with leaves of red, yellow and brown. We see falling leaves floating as they fall to the ground. By the church we are sitting in leaves that will soon pile high The trees will drop all their leaves and say, "Goodbye". PLANTS: Tulips are planted only 6 inches down They will rest all winter under the ground. Flowers are still blooming because it is hot We are bringing some to class in a great big pot. ANIMALS: There is a huge groundhog living on Skyway Highway He is busy eating what he finds with no time to play We hope all the drivers will watch out for him Because we hope we will see him again PEOPLE: Our Halloween Parade is coming up this Saturday We will watch the floats, bands, and clowns play Families and friends will line up for blocks And don't forget that Sunday you will have to change your clocks! OTHER: We sat in the leaves on our way to the park Two kids were absent as we took off on a lark With our digital camera in hand and fun on our minds We hated to leave some of our friends behind [39:38N 77:43W] USA Maryland, Hagerstown Crimson HomeSchool, Ms. Bussard's fourth graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: The weather latly has been somewhat rainy. We have seen some beautiful sunrises and sunsets with all the pinks, oranges and golds. Some days we have dropped into the 50's,other days we are still in the 60's, for temerature. LAND & WATER: There are fallen leaves everywhere. There has been no water freezing yet. PLANTS: Are plants are going to seed now, only a few diehard flowers still in bloom. ANIMALS: We still see lots of food hording. Birds are comming to the feeders a bit more. Lots of geese still flying overhead. PEOPLE: More fireplacese on, coats, hats, gloves, even snow suits were pulled out one very cold windy day! [39:32N 74:29W] USA New Jersey, Jackson Switlik Elementary School, Ms. Wardell's second graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: The weather has been colder this week. We had frost on our cars this morning. On Thursday the sky had many dark clouds. Some of us even saw snow flurries. LAND & WATER: The ground has become harder. The grass had frost on it today. There are more crunchy leaves on our paths. PLANTS: We have noticied more colorful mums around. The trees outside our classroom are becoming more colorful too. You can see the difference in our pictures from this week and last week. ANIMALS: Our groundhog friend who dug underground has been too quick for us to get in a picture. Miranda saw turkey buzzards on her street. Allison saw squirrels collecting nuts while we were in the computer lab. The green and brown praying mantis we have seen on the school grounds has been in hiding all week. But today, he came to visit us and we saw him climbing the wall of our trailer. Look for his picture next week. PEOPLE: People are raking leaves, putting up scary and creepy Halloween decorations, and are all wearing jackets. We are all excited about the World Series. Most of us want the Yankees to win. OTHER: The colder weather has caused us to turn on the heat. We can see the exhaust from the cars as they try to warm up. We are having lots of fun answering the Scavenger Hunt questions and learning new things. We are real curious about the "wooly worm." [39:02N 95:41W] USA Kansas, Topeka Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Ms. Seeger's fifth graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: We have had unusually high temperatures. The highs have been in the lower 80's which is about 20-25 degrees above normal for this time of year. It has been warm and breezy. It cools off at night and sometimes we have fog. LAND & WATER: The soil is moist, but the field grass is golden and brittle. We saw steam on a pond in the early morning. PLANTS: All around things are not as colorful as trees drop their leaves. Milkweed is fluffy and soft and is dispersing its seeds. Leaves are still changing colors. ANIMALS: We are still noticing squirrels gathering nuts for winter. We saw a deer in the road. The birds are migrating and look like dots in the sky. PEOPLE: People are wearing different clothing to school. We are dressing warmer although with the higher temperatures some students are still wearing shorts. There are more hunters in the woods and fields. Football season is entering the championship time. We are drinking cider and having weinie roasts. OTHER: We have been raking leaves. There have been many fall festivals occurring with fall products for sale. [38:13N 90:24W] USA Missouri, Festus Festus Elementary School, Ms. Schweigert's third graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: Wow! What an amazing week we've had. On Monday we were wearing shorts. We tied the record high on Monday, with a temperature of 88 degrees. We had above average temperatures for the rest of the week. Highs in the low 80's. It almost felt like summer again. LAND & WATER: The ground is dry because we haven't had any rain in about 5 days. PLANTS: The colorful leaves were hanging on to the trees this week. Not too many fell to the ground. The mums look so beautiful in the flower gardens. ANIMALS: Those pesty bees were out at the beginning of this week. In fact we had one visit our classroom. Which we don't like because 2 of us have already been stung by a bee in the classroom. We also noticed more wild animals and insects out enjoying the weather. PEOPLE: The people were outside enjoying the beautiful warm weather. They were bike riding, walking, jogging and playing outside. We did not have to wear our jackets at recess. [37:51N 90:31W] USA Missouri, Park Hills West Elementary School, Ms. Stam's fourth graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: We have been in a very consistant pattern this week. Warm and Sunny. The high temperature this week was a record tieing 88 degrees F. LAND & WATER: The ground is now quite colorful with the green grass peeking out underneath all of the fallen leaves. PLANTS: Things are pretty much the same as the week before. The warm temperatures are keeping many plants glowing green. Plants that have to be brought in for the cooler nights are still on porches because there is still no frost. Eventhough it feels like indian summer, we can't officially call it that because we haven't had our first hard frost. ANIMALS: Beetles, Beetles, and more Beetles. We have also learned that not all monarchs migrate. They have some adaptations that help them survive in groups. One is that they hang upside down, one on top of the other for warmth and strength. See this website for more information. PEOPLE: It's raking leaves time. The smell of the burning leaves is one of our favorite smells in fall. We're wearing jackets in the morning and shedding them for the afternoon. [36:39N 93:15W] USA Missouri, Branson Signs of Autumn Scientists of Branson Primary School Ms. Lennon, Ms. Ellett & Ms. Pingleton's first and second graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: It's still warm here in Branson, Missouri! The high temperature today is a balmy 82 F. The sky is clear and blue. Our weather man warns us that today may be the last day of warm weather for us. Luckily we have been dismissed early because of Parent/Teacher Conferences, so we will be able to enjoy our afternoon of sun. LAND & WATER: The land is beginning to be covered with a thin layer of dead leaves. Water is still warm. We've had slightly cooler nights (50s), but we haven't had a frost yet. PLANTS: We are in our full color season. The hillsides are magnificent. ANIMALS: With the trees becoming bearer, we are able to spot deer regularly. We havent' noticed the birds migrating. Perhaps they have decided to stick around and enjoy what's left of our sunshine. PEOPLE: Today it's shorts and t-shirts all the way, but we'd better have jackets handy for tomorrow. [34:13N 118:14W] USA California, La Crescenta Lincoln Elementary School, Ms. Goddard's second graders [33:57N 84:32W] USA Georgia, Marietta A.L.Burruss Elementary School,Ms. Tucker's kindergartners WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: The sky has been pretty sunny this week. It hasn't been that cold either. Our highs have been around 75 this week. LAND & WATER: The ground has been dry and there have been more leaves on it. The pond near us still has ducks. PLANTS: The leaves are turning more colors and falling off. Some trees don't have many leaves left on them. ANIMALS: Birds are flying south. Squirrels are gathering nuts. We are still seeing some caterpillars and a few moths. PEOPLE: People are bring jackets and sweaters to school. It is cold in the morning and warmer in the afternoon. People are playing outside. OTHER: Everyone is getting ready for Halloween. People are raking up leaves and kids are jumping in the piles. [33:37N 92:04W] USA Arkansas, Warren Mrs. Karen's Kinder Kiddos, Ms. Norton's kindergartners WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: Weather has been unstable this week. The afternoon temps have soared back into the upper 80's and low 90's. The weather forecast for the weekend shows cooler temperatures and a wet weekend. LAND & WATER: Things haven't changed much since last week due to the warm weather. PLANTS: Still beginning to change colors. PEOPLE: No jackets this week. The humidity has made it seem even warmer outside. [33:27N 82:00W] USA Georgia, Augusta Brown's Home School, Ms. Brown's kindergartner WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: Temperature has been colder this week, particularly at night--in the 40's or 50's at night. It has been mostly sunny, so the days have been 70's or 60's. LAND & WATER: PLANTS: Trees are dropping more leaves but without turning brilliant colors because of all the rain recently. It doesn't seem like Fall, but the leaves are dropping anyway. Flowers in bloom are Fall ones like mums, pansies (all winter long), lantana, and spanish heather. Camelias will be blooming soon. ANIMALS: We have seen evidence of squirrels storing nuts. We have also seen birds hunting for seeds. PEOPLE: We are wearing long sleeve shirts now, and light jackets depending on the time of day--although some of us NEVER give in and wear short sleeve shirts all winter long! OTHER: Our yard is a blanket of leaves--nice and crunchy. [33:23N 111:56W] USA Arizona, Tempe Kyrene del Norte School, Ms. Cress's third graders Graphic courtesy of East Valley Tribune, 10/22/03 WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: The sky was clear blue all week and boy did it get hot again. The high temperatures were over 100 most of the week, and we broke record highs on several days this week. Tuesdayâs high of 103 broke a 51-year-old record. See the graph for the month of October. On Friday it is finally went below 100 and will go to the low 90's or high 80âs by Sunday. Our normal highs for this time of year are the mid 80âs, so we have been about 20 degrees above normal. Our lows have been in the 70's and will go down to the 60's over the weekend. No rain! LAND & WATER: The pool water of students is cooler, so we are not swimming anymore. The winter grass is growing in well and is very green; the summer grass continues to die away. The ground is dusty and dry on our playground because it has been a long time since we had any rain. PLANTS: The squash and pumpkins are being harvested. There are lots of pumpkins for sale in stores. The cactus is getting greener in one student's yard, but some of the cactus and desert plants are dry and look like they are dying. Plants, like roses, radishes and peas have been planted. They grow better here in the winter because it is not so hot. ANIMALS: More black widow spiders have been seen, because there is more dew at night. The dogs are sleeping in their doghouses, because it is a little cooler at night. One student's cat stays inside more in the morning because it is a little cooler. Birds are flying over in flocks. PEOPLE: We are still wearing short sleeves and shorts, but some are wearing a light jacket in the morning and long pants. [32:56N 94:05W] USA Texas, McLeod McLeod Elementary School, Ms. Simmons's fourth graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: We have had unseasonably warm weather all week. With lows in the 50's(F) and highs in the lower 90's (F) There is a change in the weather expected this weekend. It's been beautiful, though warm. LAND & WATER: No change in the land or water. PLANTS: Leaves are falling everywhere. It's great to own a blower to take care of this at home! ANIMALS: PEOPLE: We are cold in the morning and hot by afternoon. Flu shots are being given in preparation for winter. We try to dress in layers so we can be more comfortable. Football games on Friday nights are cool and sometimes exciting! We watched it rain in Florida this week when the World Series was there. We love baseball! OTHER: We are looking forward to the Thanksgiving season now. Christmas will be here before we know it! [32:31N 94:46W] USA Texas, Longview Pine Tree Elementary School, Ms. Baker's second graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: This week the tempurature was unusually warm. The average high for the week was 92* and the low was 49*. The skies were blue until Saturday. A storm blew across Texas bringing lots of rain and cooler temperatures. LAND & WATER: The grass is still green, but we don't have to mow as often as we did a month ago. PLANTS: The leaves are beginning to change color. There are still many leaves on the trees. ANIMALS: Squirrels are scurrying around to find food to store. PEOPLE: We still can wear our summer clothes to school, but some students brought a light jacket for the morning. OTHER: Our school was named Pine Tree because the first class met under a pine tree over 150 years ago. [32:13N 95:13E] USA Texas, Whitehouse Holloway Middle School, Ms. Warren's sixth graders Well WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: Last week we had rain. This week we have had beautiful weather. The temperatures reached in the mid 80s each day and into the 50s. PLANTS: The leaves are changing and the yards are sprouting pumpkins with fall festivals and carnivals in the plans. ANIMALS: We watch squirrels continue to put up their winter store of food, and smell the skunks who have been visiting the campus during the night. PEOPLE: Driving through the neighborhoods you will see families out raking leaves now as they are falling to the ground. We are preparing for our school talent show, The Holloway Review. OTHER: Our computer club will begin broadcasting the morning announcement and giving a weather forecast on our closed circuit television system in November. [29:46N 95:23W] USA Texas, The Woodlands The Woodlands Christian Academy, Ms. Stahl's sixth graders WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: The weather has been rather diverse this week. Very low temperatures around 48 degrees (F) and as high as 90 degrees (F). The sky has been rather clear and bright for the most part this week. LAND & WATER: The ground is covered in dew in the mornings. This lasts until the sun hits it. PLANTS: The plants in the forground are beginning to wilt. They are not as tall as they usually are. They are turning brown and soon will change the scene completely. ANIMALS: We are continuing to have rabbits and squirrels visit our scene. [29:27N 98:30W] USA Texas, Converse Converse Elementary School, Ms. Harris's kindergartners , WEATHER/SKY/TEMPERATURE: The weather has been clear and sunny this week. The high temperature today is expected to be 90 degrees. So far this month of seventeen school days we have had 13 sunny days 1 rainy day and 4 cloudy days. LAND & WATER: PLANTS: Some leaves are beginning to turn, but most are still green. 54:52N-40:00N | 39:59N-29:27N | Firsts | Map | Quest | Quest Answers | Participant map