Autumn Internet Hunt

Directions: Click the colored, linked words to go to a site with the question's answer.
Although the answer is often on the page you are linked to, a few require you to find an
appropriate link to another page with the answer. Several questions ask you to do some research to
develop an answer. Use the browser's Go Menu or History Menu to return to the Autumn hunt page.

1. When I think of autumn, apple cider often comes to mind.
What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

Which do you think should be served at a harvest party? Explain.

2. Phenology is the study of the seasonal timing of life cycle events.
List 3 natural events that are significant to phenologists.

3. How does a black bear prepare for hibernation?

Research challenge:

You get in a disagreement with a person about how many black bears live in your state.
Identify a state agency that provides information about wildlife in your state.

Go to the agency's website - How many black bears live in your state?

How would a species range map help you prove there are black bears in your community?

4. Contrary to most flowering plants, Hamamelis virginiana flowers in the fall.
What is its common name?

How do some people use it?

5. According to this poem, how did a boy become Jack Frost? Look for the link to the poem, in the list, on the left.

6. The word "Fall" is an example of a homonym. What is a homonym?

Write a sentence using each of the homonyns of the word - fall.

Which homonym set gives you the most trouble when you are writing? Alan Cooper's Homonyms List.

7. In late summer and fall, many animals are busy gathering or consuming mast.
What is mast?

Write three examples of animals in your state that gather mast.

List 3 natural or man caused events that could impact the amount of mast that is available.

How would the loss of mast producing plants or trees impact these animals?

Make a choice. Select a tree or shrub that could be planted at your school or a local park.
(List a mast-producing tree or shrub that is native to North America)

8. Your school's student council decides to suggest a pumpkin patch as a project and fund raiser.
To present the idea to the principal, you need to gather the facts.
Answer the following questions using the facts on this Old Farmer's Almanac site.

a. What kind of growing site will you need?

b. When will you need to plant the seeds so that the pumpkins will be ready to
harvest the second week of October?

c. Other than the dirt/space, what other thing will the school need to contribute to the project?
(Hint: pumpkins are 80 to 90% this.)

9. Your grandmother lives in Florida. She tells you how she misses the changing color of the leaves in the fall.
You gather some brightly colored leaves to send to her. How can you preserve their color?

10. Are you entering a corn maze? You'll find the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur helpful.
How does Theseus escape the labyrinth?

11. Watch - Math Rocks Perimeter and Area video.

Write the two formulas they sing.

Perimeter =

Area =

Calculation. Jack's dog has run away three times. His parents decided to fence in the backyard.
The backyard is a polygon 25 feet by 75 feet. How much fencing is needed?

12. Wooden stockade fencing is sold in 8 ft lengths that cost $26.97 each. Posts are $9.86 each.
How much will the fence in question #11 cost?

13. Many animals migrate in autumn. Monarch butterflies migrate, too.
What prompts these insects to migrate?
Dig into the archives at The Why Files to uncover the answer.

14. Happy Autumnal Equinox! What on earth is that you ask?

Use your online research skills to determine the date of this year's the Autumnal Equinox.

Write a fact rich paragraph advocating for celebrating it at your school.

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."  ~Albert Camus

Done already? Nice job!

Explore Milkweed & Monarch Butterfly Mania	Complete the Autumn puzzle
Phenology Intro	Try painting a computer picture with a fall theme.
Solve the History Mystery Message - U. S. Constitution	Make a Crossword Puzzle - Government Vocabulary challenge
Bats are our Buddies | Bat Compare - Contrast activity	Drought Presentation - pbl
Moving out hunt - explore migration	Elections & Voting
October Internet Hunt	Examine Online Collaboration and Social Networking - Web 2.0
October Internet Hunt 2 - HOTS	Habitat Project Digital Science Journal