How to Create Vernal Equinox Lesson Plans

As the first day of spring, the vernal equinox can be used to deliver classroom lessons about astronomy, horticulture and traditions, such as coloring Easter eggs and making chocolate bunnies. A lesson plan based on the vernal equinox is limited only by your imagination.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Chart of the sun's movement
• Seedlings
• Gardening supplies
• Eggs
• Arts and crafts supplies

1. Explain the astronomical importance of the first day of spring. This is the moment when the sun crosses the equator northward and stands highest in the sky in that part of the world. You can base a lesson on the movement of the Earth, the effect the sun has on the seasons or why March 21 marks the beginning of fall in the southern hemisphere.
2. Plant a garden or set seedlings. If you have a lesson ready for the growth of plants, you can begin it at the vernal equinox. Ask the kids to plant seeds in a nearby patch of earth or prepare a miniature garden in the classroom near the windows. Ask the children to chart the growth of their plants while learning how sunlight and water affect that process.
3. Talk about aspects of the natural cycle, such as the bees' pollination of flowers, birds returning to lay their eggs, the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies or other natural phenomena.
4. Base a lesson around eggs or chickens. Use the density of eggs to show the difference between fresh and salt water (they will float in salt and sink in fresh). Make them a part of counting games. Line them up and have each add or remove eggs from the row to acheive a total that you call out. For example, if there are 12 eggs in a row, call out 10 and see if the student removes 2. For older students, you can discuss the famous Faberge eggs of Russia and the role they played in the lives of the Czars.
5. Plan a nature walk in a nearby park or preserve. A field trip on the vernal equinox may be complicated by the weather, depending upon your location, but springtime creates an excellent opportunity to observe nature in bloom. Don't let a light sprinkle keep you away. You can explain how the rain helps the vegetation grow. A nature walk will also provide the children with a good dose of exercise.
6. Create a springtime arts and crafts assignment. Have the kids draw pictures of flowers or natural settings, or make plans for them to make caterpillars out of egg cartons. Post the art they create on the walls of the classroom when they are done.

Tips & Warnings

• Vernal equinox officially falls into the realm of big words for children. Though you can certainly make mention of the title, you may want to refer to it as the first day of spring when you create your plans for the lesson. This is particularly true for younger children, who will understand "spring" much more readily than "vernal."