The Summer Solstice is Today!

According to TimeAndDate.com, this year's Summer Solstice will occur at 3:34 P.M. today in Los Angeles! Today is Monday, June 20, 2016. 

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What is a summer solstice? 

sum·mer sol·stice

noun: the solstice that marks the onset of summer, at the time of the longest day, about June 21 in the northern hemisphere and December 22 in the southern hemisphere.

Here is a fabulous BrainPop video explaining the seasons. 

Solstice Fun Facts:

• The summer solstice is the longest day of the year.
• Bonus: Tonight there is a full moon!
• The full moon is called a strawberry moon.  

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Summertime is a fun time! 

For one thing, school is out and will not resume until August 24. Students and teachers have time off to pursue some relaxation and person learning.  

Photo by Abby's mom

Many people gather together for summer parties. The air temperature is lovely, and people enjoy being outside!

Photo by Mrs. Yollis 

People and pooches love to get in the water to cool off. Go, Buck, go! Swimming pools, the beach, lakes, rivers, and even sprinklers provide a welcome reprieve from the heat. 

Speaking of the heat. Sometimes summers bring heat waves. A heat wave is a period of excessive heat. Here is Los Angeles, we are in the middle of a heat wave. It was 111 ˚ F (44 ˚C) at 9:30 this morning. That's hot!

Photo by Mrs. Yollis

Student bloggers are still publishing! Keep your writing strong via quality commenting. My Trip to Monterey Bay and My Mini Robots are two new student posts.  

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What are some things you enjoy about summer? 

What is a strawberry moon?

What are some summer foods you enjoy? 

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Winter is Here!

The winter solstice will happen for us at 8:49 P.M. today!

win·ter sol·stice

noun

1. the solstice that marks the onset of winter, at the time of the shortest day, about December 22 in the northern hemisphere and June 21 in the southern hemisphere.

In the Northern Hemisphere, winter is the coldest season of the year. It begins about December 21 and lasts until about March 21. Around December 21 or 22, the sun's rays fall directly over the farthest point south of the equator. This marks the first day of winter.

Winter days have fewer hours of daylight because of the path the earth takes as it revolves around the sun. The earth completely revolves around the sun during 365 days. The earth's axis always tips about 23 1/2 degrees from a line perpendicular to its path.

In the Southern Hemisphere, winter begins in June.

Different regions have longer winters than others. For example, in the polar regions, winter takes up half the year. In the Temperate Zones winter takes up about one quarter of the year.

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In regions where there is cold weather, it causes many changes in the environment. Water may freeze and become ice, snow, sleet or icicles.  Sometimes it gets so cold, boiling water will vaporize!

(Thanks Mrs. Rose from Ontario, Canada, who created this Vine two Decembers ago!) 

Most plants and animals become dormant and rest. Some animals hibernate. The only plants that grow and remain green are evergreens. People protect themselves from the cold climate with winter clothing when they go outdoors. They enjoy a variety of indoor activities or outdoor winter sports such as skiing, skating, or sledding.

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Here are some fun winter links!

  

Want to make an online snowflake? 

Click here! 

BrainPop has some great winter and snow movies! 

Click here! 

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What do you enjoy most about winter?

What activities will you be participating in this winter break?

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