Saturday, December 20, 2014

❄ Winter Solstice ❄ 3:03 P.M. December 21, 2014!




The winter solstice will occur on December 21, 2014,  at 3:03 (PST). 

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 last December!)



Most plants and animals become dormant and rest. Some animals hibernateThe only plants that grow and remain green are evergreensPeople protect themselves from the cold climate with winter clothing when they go outdoors. They enjoy a variety of indoor activities or outdoor wintersports 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?


How will you be celebrating the holidays?
 

What activities will you be participating in this winter break?


2 comments:

  1. Dear Mrs Yollis

    What I like about winter is drinking hot chocolate on a cold day. We are celebrating New Year at my grandparent's house and New Year is also my aunt named Elana's birthday. I am going to write a blog post about New Year on my sister's blog. During winter break, I will going to the beach and riding our scooters and roller blades. After riding we will go and climb the ropes and go on the bars and exercise . I also will go hiking in Malibu Creek Park. When we are up on the mountains, we will listen to the beautiful nature around us. My sister and I stand high on the mountains and very quietly look below at the gorgeous view and listen to the river flowing with water.


    From,
    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Mrs. Yollis and Class,

    Happy New Year to you all! I hope you had a wonderful holiday break and are looking forward to all the great things 2015 will bring!

    I love winter! In California, it is such a great time of year to be outdoors. The air is so crisp and clean, and the colors around me seem to be particularly vivid.

    I feel so lucky to live where I can easily spend time at the beach or in the mountains. During the last two weeks, I have done both! This past weekend I enjoyed some time away in San Diego. A favorite spot I have there is Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. It's a great place to hike as well as spend time on the beach. The mountains I enjoyed recently are our own local ones. Like Michael, I hiked in Malibu Creek State Park. I certainly enjoyed seeing how much water is in the creek due to the recent rain we've had!

    Most of all, at this time of year, I love spending time with my family. I was able to enjoy time with my daughter, Kari, and her boyfriend, as well as several other family members. This year my daughter, Sarah and her husband stayed in New York for the holidays, so we spent time together via Skype. I feel so blessed to live during an age where that is possible!

    Well, everyone, I look forward to visiting and helping out in your classroom soon!

    All the best,
    Mrs. Ranney

    ReplyDelete

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