Why is there More Wind in the Spring and Fall? and 10 Amazing Do ItYourself Wind Chimes

The neighborhood sirens scream. I grab the baby and call my kids into the hallway, checking my phone to figure out just how far away the tornado is. Tornados come when winds pick up in the spring and fall. The wind can be scary, but most days we enjoy the breeze. It's a great time to build a wind chime, and I have ten amazing wind chime ideas for you. Why is it extra windy during spring and autumn?

What's so special about spring and autumn?

To understand why the winds pick up in spring and fall, think about what else is happening. In the spring, the suns rays are becoming more direct, and beginning with the Equinox, are hitting the earth for more of the day than not.

The result of this direct radiation from the sun is that the air near the surface begins to warm. You may have heard the phrase "heat rises." That isn't true, but warm air rises.

As the air particles heat up, they expand to a greater volume for the same mass. This is called lower density. You could say that the warm air weighs less. It begins to float for the same reason boats float. As the warm air rises, cool air flows in to replace it, and the result is known as wind.

In the fall, the whole system works in reverse, with warm air being forced out of the way. 

Exactly how the wind will blow can't be exactly predicted. They follow a pattern best described by Chaos Theory.

I have some amazing Do IT Yourself wind chimes to help you take advantage of the breezes.

Do it Yourself Windchimes

Clock wise 
Clothespin Windchimes from B-Inspired Mama
Pony Bead Windchimes from Where Imagination Grows
Key Wndchimes from Inner Child Fun
Nature Windchimes from Hands on as We Grow

More great wind chimes  Rainbow Windchimes from sticks from Happy Hooligans
Coffee can Windchimes also from Happy Hooligans
Cutlery Windchimes from Red Ted Art
Bamboo Windchimes from Michelle Made Me
Recycled Windchimes from Maker Mama Craft Blog (This one is really simple!)
Out door Music Windchimes from Hands on as We Grow

Wishing you a gentle change of seasons, with no tornadoes and winds just right for a lovely wind chime.

You may also be interested in

A Simple Introduction to Chaos Theory
A Weather Demo you can do while making dinner
Easy Windsock to make with Kids
Why boats float + 10 boats to make

Kids Engineering:Valentines Heart Bombs!

T-Rex (my second grade son) has come up with another fun engineering project for you. This time, we're making heart bombs- just in time for Valentine's Day.

How to Set Up a Pumpkin Engineering Task Your Second Graders Will Love

Thirteen fun ways to observe the science of sound

Observation is the very first science skill your child needs to learn.  If you teach your child to observe sounds carefully, you will set them up to enjoy music and appreciate the beauty of the patterns found through out nature.  The mathematical precision that dictates how sounds are formed is a phenomena that has engaged some of the world's most brilliant minds, and it is sure to enthrall your learners as well!

Here are some fun activities you can use to engage the brilliant young minds in your home.

Activities for exploring timbre or the "color of sound"

Make some sound shakers like these from MamaPapaBuba, or these from the preschool Tool Box.

Make a sound matching activity and talk about pitches.  Royal Baloo has a great example of a sound match.  Kid's Activity Blog has another great sound match.

Make a musical tree, from Adventures of Adam.

Try some virtual sound experiments check out this post from IGame Mom.

Activities for observing pitch

Learn intervals and pitches with these ideas from Let's Play Kids Music.  Did you know those are really based on math?

Do this great investigation from Frogs Snails and Puppy Dog Taiks on how size of sticks affects the sound they produce.

Use bubble wrap to explore pitch.

Activities for exploring the sounds of Nature

Print this sound based scavenger hunt from Inspiration Laboratories.

Imitate the sound of rain by making their own rainsticks like Not Just Cute.

Check out this post from i-game mom to learn more about sounds found in nature.

Experiments about how sound travels

Use your silver wear to make an instrument like KCEdventures.

Make a Kazoo like Buddy and Buggy.

Experiment with which objects make loud noises and which don't, from Best Toys 4 Toddlers.




Ok, now it's time to pick at least one of these activities and give it a try!






You might also be interested in   

New Kindergarten to Second Grade Science Unit about Sound!

I am super excited to announce that my second playful science unit, Hear the Wind, is now available on Teachers Pay Teachers. These units have been really fun to do with my own kids! I base them on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) produced by the National Science Teacher's Association.  All the units use materials  that are easily accessible to the average teacher.  No expensive equipment required!

                               

The main physics principle that I hope teachers and students will grasp from this unit is the connection between physical movement and sound.  Sound waves are classified as physical waves, though that term is not used in the early grades.

Sprinkles Demonstration

 Hear the Wind starts with a fun demonstration experiment that uses sprinkles and standard computer speakers.

This activity ties in with a study of grammar.  My own kids spent most of a Saturday morning playing with the set up.

Pin wheel project

I was nervous about this one.  The standards dictated that students should be able to do this type of project independently, but I wasn't sure.  I should not have worried, my first grader was able to do the modified version without any help and guided his sister as well.

My children used the template to make their pin wheels, but more advanced students could be challenged to follow written directions.

The templates for this project are my current TPT freeby.

Wind Instruments

The major project for this unit requires the students to develop an instrument that can be played by the wind, and write directions for their instrument.

Readers of this blog will not be surprised that we raided our recycle bin for supplies!  

One of my children chose to use metal brads and containers from the recycling bin to make a maraca-like instrument.  He got some excellent practice in revising his design as he discovered that metal cans were too heavy, and that the instrument needed to hot something else in order to sound.

My other child used a glass bottle for her instrument.  Googly eyes are critical, although not part of the prototype.

When they were finished, they recorded directions and used their instruments to signal each other without seeing one another.

This unit also includes a chart to help teachers quickly reference which science, language and math objectives are being covered, printable for the activities, and a PowerPoint that gives a simple explanation of sound and hearing.  Again, the key concept is that sound is a result of physical movement.  This is in contrast to vision which depends on electromagnetic waves.  More important than any particular science fact are the skills of inquiry and engineering that the students build. As a bonus, science fuels interest in language and math.

I have been excited by the positive response from followers and newsletter subscribers who took advantage of the freeby week. Normally, these units sell for $3, but just for this week, Hear the Wind is on sale for $1.50.  Or, you can try just the pinwheel project for free.

Other posts you may like:

Toy Car Physics: Playful Integrated Science Unit for Kindergarten to Second Grade

Dear Teacher, you made a difference: Thank you letter to Mrs. Goetz

If you are like me, you can think of several teachers who made a difference in your life.  I would love to publicly thank them all.  Today, I am joining several other bloggers in thanking just one teacher who made a difference in each of our lives.  Thank you to Allison McDonald of No Time for Flashcards for organizing this project!  If you teach, I hope you will take some time to read through the letters. Be encouraged. What you do is making a difference. 

Dear Mrs. Goetz,

Because you showed up every day to teach physical science and math, I learned that it is normal for women to do math and science. I did not even realize anyone thought otherwise until I was at university.

Because you demanded that we show all work for each problem, I learned that right answers are not enough. The thought process required to find the answer is valuable.  A solution is more than a quick answer.  This is true in life as well as physics.

Because you never let anyone make a 100% on one of your exams, I learned that it is ok not to be perfect.

Because you always had time to discuss the sporting event or concert from the night before, I learned that who I was outside of class mattered.

Because you stuck by the motto on your poster, "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."  I learned that it is good to set boundaries on what others can expect of me.

Because you did not make us be quiet, but let us talk, I learned that there is no wrong way to learn.

Because you made us repeat "Science is the systematic study of the physical universe," on our exams, I never confused my course of study with my religion.

Because you brought enthusiasm to every class, I learned to love science, math and learning.

Thank you for teaching.



Love,
Christy,  Class of  2000





Why not take a few minutes and write a thank you note to a teacher you know?




I am so excited to read all the letters from my fellow bloggers!  Take some time to find some inspiration in the way these teachers made a difference.

Thank you Madame Obadia by No Time for Flash Cards

Thank you Mrs. Swett by Carrots are Orange

Thank you Mr. Blanchard by Not Just Cute

Thank you Mrs. Ulrich by JDaniel's Mom

Thank you Mrs. Austin by MultitaskingMaven

Thank you Mr. Spencer by Education to the Core

Thank you Mrs. Anderson by Mac-n-Taters

Thank you Mrs. O'Neil by Encourage Play

Thank you Mrs. Fox by Simply Kinder

Thank you Third Grade Team by The Educator's Spin On It

Thank you Mrs. Johnson by Mrs. Jones' Creation Station

Thank you Mrs. Ratto by Sparkling Buds

Thank you Mrs. Powell by ElemenoPKids

Thank you Mr. Brant by Bare Feet on the Dashboard

Thank you Ms. Barry by Inspiration Laboratories

Thank you Mrs. Rouland by Clever Classroom






Other posts from Thriving STEM you may enjoy:

Bottle Toss: Fun and the Physics of Flight

Today, I have another junk play post to share.  T-Rex invented this game and both he and his sister really enjoyed it. If you have elementary kids, this would be a great activity to pull out for some after school fun.  You'll be sneaking some great physics too!

Materials for "bottle throw"

Conditioner bottle

String (We used our clothesline)

Water (Optional)

The goal of the game is to catch the bottle and then throw it back over the line, in the yard, without your opponent catching the bottle.

This is a nice demonstration of standard projectile motion.  However, you also get the added complexity of a rotating object instead of a point.

The Pony Artist added a variation which includes a second bottle.  The goal is to hit your opponent's bottle and knock it back onto their side of the string.

This is a beautiful momentum and collision demonstration.

Finally, I suggested adding some water to the bottle.  I asked what difference they observed. They noticed that the bottle did not go as high.  Equal force with greater mass results in less acceleration.

I did not spend much time discussing physics with my kids.  In fact, it would have been just as well if I had not discussed any at all.  They were learning just the same.  These experiences of basic play where children experience how the world works first hand are incredibly valuable.  They are building the background knowledge that they will pull from as they study science formally in the years to come.  

 An occupational therapist would have her own list of reasons that this play is useful.  Active, hands on play is extremely valuable.  The best news is, all you need are simple objects, some of which you were going to discard anyway.

For more great ideas on how to use your junk for play, check out the Junk Play Challenge hosted by Best Toys 4 Toddlers.

Be the first to know about new curriculum from Thriving STEM and receive an organized list of new and seasonal ideas for enjoying science and math with your children by signing up for the Thriving STEM newsletter.



Other Posts You might Like:

Toy Car Physics Unit

Messy Fort: A Simple Strategy for Making Any Day Special

Building a fort is great engineering practice that helps kids learn physics and  develop their creativity. When I saw the Fort a Building Challenge from Building Blocks and Acorns I knew it was a project for us. However, it did not go as expected.  

After a fun day, that ended up having nothing to do with forts, some illness, and some general disruption of this mother's plans, I finally resorted to just making the fort myself on a random day. After all, setting the example is one of the most important aspects of involving kids in STEM, right?

Materials for this Messy Fort

Foam Mats

Tarp

Dining Room Chairs

Sheet

Twisty Ties

How to Set Up a Messy Fort

I chose this spot in our dining area, because I wanted natural light pouring into our fort so that it would be good for art.  We had already lined the windows with painters tape.

I put down the foam mats to protect the floor and make a comfortable place to sit .

The mats were covered with a tarp for added protection.  I wanted to be sure the kids really had the chance to get messy!

Next, I arranged four chairs on the edge of the tarp.

Finally, I topped it all with a bed sheet, and fastened the corners with twisty ties.

How We Enjoyed our Messy Fort

My preschooler was the first one to use the messy fort .  She loved being able to play with play dough on the ground.  I do not normally allow that.  She made some shape patterns and did an experiment by mixing two types of play dough.

Next, I set up a special sensory play for my toddler.  I mixed up some bubbles with the dish soap, and put them in a pot.

She enjoyed exploring and squishing the suds between her fingers. Sensory play is science for babies!

When my oldest got home from school, he was excited to get on on the action.  He ate his snack in the fort, then he used water colors to practice his spelling words and do some art.

Some times, rather than adding a new activity, we just need to liven up the ordinary tasks. My children loved that they had a special place to enjoy their normal activities.  We enjoyed our messy fort, and I am looking forward to many more forts to come.

How do you like to liven up ordinary days?

There have been some great forts done as part of this fort building challenge including, an ocean fort, an outdoor fort, and a space fort.  All great science themes!  It is not too late to get in on the fun.  Check out the Fort Building Challenge homepage, build your own fort, and even send in a picture.

You May Also Enjoy:

The Surprising Truth About Why Your Child Makes So Many Messes

I Spy: Rot! An Effortless Science Lesson