Show how the sun passes over the equator.

Demonstrate the spring equinox using a globe and a flashlight.

Common themes reflected during observances of the spring equinox include fertility, new beginnings, and rebirth. Since the spring equinox takes place when new plants are growing and animals become active again after the winter, many people celebrate a time of renewal. Spiritually, equinoxes are a time of celebration in many cultures. Also known as the vernal or March equinox, the spring equinox marks the first day of spring. The word equinox comes from the Latin words aequi meaning equal and nox/noct meaning night, fitting for a word that describes the times of the year when day and night are almost equal in length. Quill says: A fun book to teach children about the Spring Equinox.The official change of the seasons and the day when the sun shines directly over the equator, making day and night almost exactly the same length all over the Earth, the spring equinox takes place on March 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. Mmmm, those mashed potato Easter eggs sound good!

Also included are several interesting crafts and recipes to try with your children or students. In the back of the book there is a more in depth explanation of the seasons. If you want a book for your homeschool or classroom shelves on a variety of cultural celebrations of spring's new beginnings, this is a perfect one. The text moves from culture to culture with ease and each celebration has just enough factual material to make the reader want to learn more. This book is very well written and researched and the lively art work, like the springtime equinox, makes it come alive. Does your family have something special they do upon its arrival? It talks about the Chinese New Year, the Persian No Ruz (New Year), the Indian celebration of Holi, the Mayan El Castillo pyramid, Maslenitsa (Pancake Week) in Russia, how the Cree Native American's honor the Great Spirit, Jewish Passover, the German festival Eostre (later changed to Easter) and the many ways ordinary families celebrate spring. In particular, it celebrates the spring equinox, a time of new beginnings, with the reader and talks about celebrations around the world to usher in this season. This book describes what the spring (vernal) equinox, the summer solstice, the fall(autumnal equinox) and the winter solstice are. It is a time when many different cultures celebrate the new beginning of the year.

The leaves have begun to bud, the flowers are sprouting, 'woodchucks whistle, chickadees chirp and dragonflies emerge from rivers and ponds.' Robins come back to start new families, new animals are being born and people start planting their gardens.

Spring has arrived and the countryside is coming to life again. A New Beginning: Celebrating the Spring Equinox

A new beginning wendy pfeffer