Dear Families, Our class is planting a tulip test garden as part of the international science project called Journey North. We will connect, using the Internet, with hundreds of schools in the Northern Hemisphere. We are beginning this fall by planting Red Emperor tulip bulbs. The tulips are tools for measuring the climate of our region. Next spring, we will share our local observations and track spring's progress. With classmates across our hemisphere, we will monitor changes in the seasons and climate around the globe. Join the Experiment at Home! Students can extend our class experiment by planting one or more Red Emperor bulbs at home this fall. Enlist family and friends in faraway places to join you by planting their own test gardens! Because this is an experiment, all gardens must be planted in the same way. Please follow the planting instructions carefully. plant Red Emperor tulips plant away from building foundations and sidewalks plant 7 inches deep plant bulb pointed end up Next spring, your child should report back to the class when your tulips EMERGE and again when they BLOOM. This information will be shared with the other participating schools via interactive maps on Journey North’s Web site. As each school announces the arrival of spring in its community, students will plot the progression of spring throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Join the Journey! Make Predictions! Have fun with your child this winter as you wait for spring. Choose gardens across North America and predict when tulips will emerge and bloom. Tour Journey North online. (See Web address at the top of this letter.) Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, please call. Yours respectfully,