Happy Birthday Ina Coolbrith: Pioneer Plumas Girl & California's First Poet Laureate
Born on March 10, 1841, Ina Coolbrith was the first Poet Laureate of California. In fact, in 1915, she was the first poet laureate of any state in the USA. As a librarian in Oakland California she influenced many but no one more notable than a young Jack London, whom he credited as his greatest teacher and mentor. There is no book more Mountain Kid-like than Call of the Wild, and no Call of the Wild without Ina Coolbrith.
As for the Plumas Pioneer part, at the age of 10, Ina entered California riding on Jim Beckwourth's horse on the trail now bearing his name. She recalled,
"We were guided by the famous scout, James Beckwourth, who was a historical figure, and to my mind one of the most beautiful men who ever lived. He was rather dark and wore his hair in two braids, twisted with colored cord that gave him a picturesque appearance. He wore a leather coat and moccasins and rode a horse without a saddle."
She then quoted him as saying to her, "Here is California, little girl. Here is your kingdom." And a literary kingdom she did create.
The mountain bearing her name is the first large peak (8,064') south of Beckwourth Pass. It sits a little northeast of Loyalton and can be seen while driving east across Sierra Valley on Highway 70.
Phenology: the study of natural cycles and observable phenomena
Every day of the year is a feast of wonder and observation. And yet there are peak times of the year that almost explode with natural phenomena. These are also opportunities to look closely at the timing of when things start and occur.
Spring changes have been flirting with February lately but March is still the official beginning of Spring and the changes beginning this month are some of the most dramatic.
This is very simple for anyone. I'll share just a few ways to start. In your grade-level section I will dive even deeper. Each of these phenomena have a nice story quality to them as they touch on Who, Where, When, and What.
- Red-winged Blackbird, Location and elevation of sighting, Date and time of sighting, What was it doing? (A lot of things to observe but it starts with the migrating return)
- Mules Ear (member of sunflower family), Location and elevation of sighting, date and time. Tracking the different phases of emergence as the
- Tulips and Daffodils. These non-native, domesticated flowers are so prevalent in our yards and towns that they are easy to follow. Same location/elevation, date and time.
The rich science comes when you do the same observations year after year and you have a different date for the same place and species. Keep it simple and have fun, and some deep learning will be yours.
March 20: The Vernal Equinox
Time for another etymology lesson
As mentioned last month, I am a bit of an etymology fan. Etymology is the study of the origin of words. So let's break down this very auspicious approaching day on March 20th. Vernal Equi Nox are three latin words that translates as Spring Equal Night. This is one of two times each year where the 24 hour day is divided equally between light (12 hours) and night (12 hours).
Long before clocks and calendars began to order sense of time in the world, the sun and moon called the shots and organized the passage of time in people's lives.
While I keep my calendar and set my alarms, I still have a natural bias to the rising and setting of the sun and the phases of the moon. First, Fifth, and Sixth grades all have a formal Earth and Space Science phenomenon focus of observing the changing pattern of light and night, but this is also just alert and awake noticing for every Mountain Kid.
Have your Mountain Kids celebrate this day in some special way. Now here is the catch... while the global Spring Equinox is March 20, the Plumas Spring Equinox (because of latitude) in March 16 or 17. Chester to Portola is just far enough apart to change that sunrise and sunset time by a minute or two. Just google your community or have the kids look it up and then celebrate the sunrise and sunset.
SnowSchool
Campus Elevations
- Chester - 4,534'
- Greenville - 3,586'
- Quincy - 3,444'
- Portola/CRC - 4,949'
So especially on warm, sunny days get out there and take in the final weeks of Winter before it is gone. Each of your Grade-level Google Drives includes a Outdoor Core folder with a SnowSchool file and specific activities to guide NGSS learning for your grade. I have also embedded those links below for each grade.
Winter Wildlands Alliance is the home for Snow School and their growing resources. SnowSchool at Home has the full mix of activities and latest resources that work equally well at home and school. They are arranged in. grade band K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. To log on for full access use the link and password below.
https://winterwildlands.org/previous-and-upcoming-activities/
password: SnowSchool-2020
Mystery Science Refresh
In January, Mystery Science revealed their newly revamped their website with not just a new look but improved function. Start here on their home page but dive in from there. A lot of good Winter and coming Spring mysteries that fit our seasonal celebration well. All materials are now available in Spanish as well.
Kindergarten
We are moving toward Spring. Most kids have never closely watched the slow opening and unfolding of Spring. Leaves haven't yet emerged but their buds will begin to swell and slowly open. Visiting the same plant each week you can see big changes. Early flowers are poking up and inching higher this month. Week by week you can literally measure the progress. When will the first daffodil or tulip bloom? Make a guess. Before the garden is planted we can see the pioneer plants letting us now that Winter is loosening its grip.
Start your Starts
While it is not yet garden time we start to feel that is really getting closer and closer and closer. If you didn't start any starts in February, March is your month. A little seed in a cup in the sunny window sill begins a life cycle. If you choose to start your starts this month please share one of my favorite little tunes by one of my favorite artists, Willie Tea Tayor -
Weather Watch Continues
One of the ways the Litlles can start their garden countdown to to keep track of the rising temperatures. Every higher high and every higher low trends toward the time when the last frost will let the gardens go and grow. One of the ways you can observe the change is to measure the shortening shadows. Tetherball and other poles have had very long shadows through the winter but every day they are shortening as the sun age changes. Just take some chalk and mark the end of the shadow on a given day. Come back a week later and measure the change.
Watching these patterns of sun driven change is scientist noticing and farmer noticing. Both important people and really, farmers are field scientists. I notice... I wonder... It reminds me of... sure sounds a lot like a farmer.
Kindergarten Outdoor Core Zoom
And lastly, a reminder while we still have some snow, share the fun Outdoor Core Zoom we did last year on February 19, 2021. Please share any or all of this little slideshow and virtual visit.
First Grade
The snow isn't done with us yet but it is warming up and the insects know it. The lows and the highs are both rising and that invites our insects to come back and come out. March and April will have more exciting moments of discovery as you watch different kinds of insects begin to reappear.
Track the Return Yes every day you might step out and see something that has been gone, come back. This is fun homework too. Tracking this return means documenting where and when a specific insect returns. Our field journaling sets us up for that. If your kids don't know names they can catch it broadly (butterfly, dragonfly) and then describe. Please share these with me and your PUSD colleagues.
The dodging of diapause by a few gives way in Spring to the end of diapause. Still it is risky to come back outside. Most insects do not have long life cycles and so the decision to come out of hibernation is a life or death decision. This isn't morbid as much as it is taking a leap of insect-like faith.
Astronomy is a part of the First Grade year. Here are two to celebrate in March
- Spring Equinox - As the start of Spring, this is a day to really celebrate in First Grade. First, the 24 hours in a day are divided evenly between light and night. This 12 and 12 is a fun awareness moment for a Mountain Kid. Every day after this pint until the last day of school, the daylight will be growing, inviting trees to bud, flowers to bloom, and insects to reappear in pollinating celebration.
- Worm Moon - The full worm moon name gives a very different feeling than Februaries Snow or Hunger Moon. Another nickname for the March Full Moon is "Sap Moon" as the sap begins to begin to move in the trees again which leads to leaves. Back east it is maple syrup season as Maple Trees are tapped for sap.
And if you did not share it yet you might consider sharing some part or all of the live 1st Grade Outdoor Core Zoom from February, 2021. Here is the Zoom Recording. It is a resource to continue to use in part or whole with some Winter into Spring specific learning.
Second Grade
It may seem that Winter will never end, but guaranteed, March will begin the return of our Herps. It Will take some time to coax all of our reptile and amphibians out of Brumation but the time is upon us. How do I know? I am listening every day. And as Spring nears, every day may be the first sighting or sounding of one of our frogs. That is the sound of Spring to me.
Catching the emergence of our jumping, crawling, slithering friends is important science so be ready! Remember we want to know WHO, WHERE, and WHEN. It can be fun to make predictions for specific species. When will the first Bluebelly appear? When will we hear our first Sierran Tree Frog song?
If you haven't shared it from last two month, there is a built in lesson about our reptiles and amphibians in the Zoom Recording from the 2021 2nd Grade Outdoor Core Zoom in late March of that year. The Zoom is more about the Spring return of the Herps, so March is perhaps the best fit. There is a section on Brumation.
Science News has a
Third Grade
March will be full of winter and spring activity. The snow provides fun chances to follow tracks and uncover the story of a mammal on the move. A fresh canvas of white snow will bring fresh tracks and fresh discovery. We start the month with storms also be ready to pounce on some tracking. And if you haven't looked at it yet please remember the 3rd Grade Zoom last year that was tied to Mammals, Winter & Tracking. Here is the link to the Zoom Recording.
Weather is your Earth Science jam in 3rd grade and it happens every day. At least weekly, follow the weather patterns and trends of March. The Spring Equinox is happening this. month and the astronomical day of balanced light and night is always accompanied by weather that is warming, both the highs and lows.
Gray wolves are expanding their range and have established themselves in Plumas County. This a controversial return, primarily for our local ranchers. Ranching friends have shared that while there are wolves killing livestock occasionally, it is more about how the presence of wolves changes the feeding habits. Cattle are not grazing as they used to and their lower weight impacts the livelihood of our local ranchers. Healthy cattle are heavier cattle and those pounds are profits. Wolves in Plumas County will always be controversial.
Fourth Grade
Feather River Trout Unlimited is the gift that keeps on giving. While their coordination has adjusted each year, Mike Kossow is a Plumas County legend and your 2023 coordinator. Most of you know him well. He and Cindy (FRTU Executive Director) and the volunteers are ready to support you this Spring, so reach out. Specifically, Trout in the Classroom (TiC) is coming soon and now is the time to get your tanks tuned up.
Field Trips - All but CRC had the Salmon Run trips to Oroville in the fall, but that isn't all that is available to you.While the FR Canyon remains closed as we begin March, It is expected to reopen this Spring. Remember the Fish & Dams trips as well as The Belden Quest. Please reach out.
Amber Mouser, our generous fish friend from CA Fish & Wildlife, has booked your Fishing Days. I am sure you have these trip on your calendar. I have submitted these trip requests and secured your bus transportation. See below.
- CES - Tuesday, May 23rd - Lake Almanor @ Canyon Dam Boat Launch
- GES - Wednesday, May 31st - Round Valley Reservoir
- QES - Thursday, June 1st - Spanish Creek Campground
- CRC - Friday, June 2nd - Lake Davis @ Honker Cove Boat Launch
I already shared Dream Flows in past months but this is something to track throughout the season as the snowpack releases and our local tributaries begin to fill. Keep local River Flows at your fingertips. The measurement used by hydrologists and kayakers alike is CFS - Cubic Feet per Second. A cubic foot is approximately the size of a basketball and that is more memorable for your kids than an imaginary cube. Remember, your 4th grade Mountain Kid trout studies includes exploring and mapping how water moves through your community throughout the year. Paying regular attention to the patterns and path of flow builds that understanding. Water is a great co-teacher and guide!
And finally also as previously shared, the Zoom on April 2nd of 2021 was a fun lesson that I encourage you to revisit and share when the timing is right for your kids. 4th grade April 2021 Webinar
Fifth Grade
- March 1 - Planetary conjunction of Venus and Jupiter - The post-dusk phenomenon is good homework as these two plants will almost touch.
- March 19 - Conjunction of Moon & Saturn
- March 22 - Conjunction of Moon & Jupiter
- March 25 - Conjunction of Moon & Venus
- March 28 - Conjunction of Moon & Mars
The Returning Birds
As the snow begins to melt faster, the daylight grows, and temps rise the birds will flock to the ready habitat. As always, March will include an exciting increase in bird return. As mentioned above, the timing of when birds return is important science and you can help with that by documenting the first time you and your kids see a species. The core details are Species, Date & Time, Location. Please document and share with me and the other 5th grade classes. Some of these returns are already happening. Keep track and use eBird to share with the world. Even a 15 minute point count is good citizen science any day of the year.
BRDL - Bird Wordle - The popular daily word puzzle solve, Wordle, has an avian counterpart, BRDL. Check out this article and see if you would like to try it on for size. It uses bird abbreviations but it just might peak the curiosity of your class and those Mountain Kids who are drawn to a challenge. All you need is the alphabet and some good guessing.
Raven or Crow? - This article, How to Tell a Raven from a Crow, helps to demystify our two largest black-feathered Plumas County species. A good skill that I have always been happy to have.
Liz Ramsey has taken a new job but is still showing up for Audubon and you. The obvious field trip to come is the end of the year BIG Day that we will be booking soon. There are other opportunities so reach out if you would like to visit Sierra Valley. Your local Learning Landscapes is always awaiting a birding visit.
Canada Goose!
3 years ago I was walking with a group of QES 5th grade boys on a Learning Landscapes birding adventure and we were counting all of the Canada geese in the valley. As they would call out the name again and again it reminded me of a Beethoven's 5th riff that was also a 70's disco hit. It had the same syllabic staccato. I played it for the boys, they loved at and so we had fun with it for the rest of that day. My daughter, using her TikTok prowess, finally helped me to make a short clip. Ca-na-da Goose! Enjoy.
Sixth Grade
Winter has not disappointed this year. We are currently the 9th snowiest winter in the past 35 year and one of the coldest. That helps to hold the snowpack, good for many reasons we have discussed. Keep tapping into SnowSchool every single storm. The density of storms and Snowflake monitoring are both valuable science inquiry activities that grow more rich the more you do and compare.
The Snowpack Prediction Contest is alive until April 1 when they take a final measurement. Right now the snow water measurement sits at 60". If nothing more happened I would win with my 59: prediction. Looking at the foirecats for the coming weekend though is sure to tip the total toward QES 62". Next month I will announce the winner.
March field trips include makeups from some February cancellations.
- CRC - March 8 - Kids Creek
- Quincy - March 9 - Town Reach Water Map
- Greenville - March 14 - Town Reach North Canyon to Wolf
- Chester - March 15n- Best Dam Field Trip
- Quincy - March 22 - Boyle Creek Valley Reach
- Greenville - March 23 - Round Valley Headwaters
- Chester - March 24 - North Fork Mouth at Lake Almanor
Our dynamic watershed year is a dance of inches, CFS, and Acre Feet. As I sometimes ridiculously put it. "The Winter Low brings Mountain Snow that becomes River Flow and the precious H20 that fills the Great Oro and helps Ag Crops to Grow." Links are below
6th Grade Rafting
Make sure you have these in your calendar. I will resending you the rafting packet shortly and we will see if the snow provides enough flow to float. Not looking good at present as we are 55% of normal for March 1 and even if the snowpack releases fully it may not float the boats. Looking more like last year's drought Plan B. We will always get into the water and have a day of play but it may be a flat water party.
- CRC - April 4th - Middle Fork FR
- CES & GES - April 18th - EBNFFR
- QES - April 19th EBNFFR
Astronomy
March is a big month as the great 12 & 12 arrives as the Spring Equinox. The balance of light and night. As mentioned in the larger writeup above, the entire globe celebrated March 20 but we can adjust to our Plumas latitude attitude and claim March 16 or 17. It actually coincides nicely with other Crescent Moon conjunctions. See below for the list.
- March 1 - Planetary conjunction of Venus and Jupiter - The post-dusk phenomenon is good homework as these two plants will almost touch.
- March 19 - Conjunction of Moon & Saturn
- March 22 - Conjunction of Moon & Jupiter
- March 25 - Conjunction of Moon & Venus
- March 28 - Conjunction of Moon & Mars
Weather
This daily phenomena has been wrapped up in our Winter snow, keep tracking the cause and effect relationship of warming temps as we angle toward the sun more and more and the snowpack melts more and more. It may not feel like it but Spring is coming.
Outdoor Core Mountain Kid
Email: rwade@pcoe.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.pcoe.k12.ca.us/apps/pages/OutdoorCore
Location: Upper Feather River Region
Phone: 530 283-6500 5257