In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb...
The average temperature at the end of March is higher than at the beginning, in most locations, so the proverb typically has some truth to it, but where did it come from? The phrase apparently has its origins with the constellations Leo, the Lion, and Aries, the ram or lamb. It has to do with the relative positions of these constellations in the sky at the beginning and end of March.
This is a perfect time to talk to your children about what this old saying might mean? If March starts out cold and "ferocious", like a lion, it will end up warm and "gentle" like a lamb. Discuss what would make the weather "ferocious" like a lion? (Rain, cold, wind, snow,) What would make the weather "gentle" like a lamb? (Sunshine, warm breezes, balmy)
March is a wonderful time to teach your children about comparing, contrasting and recording. Draw table on a piece of paper. Call one side LION and one side LAMB. List elements of weather like temperature, wind, rain, snow, etc that fit on each side. Explain that each day your child will observe and chart their observations. Your child would love their own thermometer.
Choose a particular time of day (right after school or dinner is a good time as it will help engage your children in dinnertime conversation). You can also do a bit of math/graphing practice by providing your child with the lion/lamb template below. (You may copy and paste.) Each day, have them record in one of the squares on either the lion or the lamb side (depending on what the weather is like).
Make a note at the top of the graph about whether March 1st is a lamb or a lion day. Then see if March 31st is the opposite.
Beginning of March_________________ End of March___________________
Lion Lamb
Rain
Cold
Wind
Snow
Temperature
Sun-shine
Warm
Breezes
Balmy
-Global and Regional Temperature Change
http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/
-Climate - Weather Wiz Kids weather information for kids
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-climate.htm
-Weather & Climate | Science News for Kids
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/category/earthsky/weather/
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