Now is the time to update the display on the South-North Seasons Table (see the post of 21 February) so that it will reflect the winter of the southern hemisphere and the high summer of the northern hemisphere.
For the southern side, it is now getting to be winter, a time of windy cold in the southern hemisphere. If you are in that part of the world, place the table near a window where you can hang bird feeders, for now is when native birds will most need help getting enough food. As they come to feed above the seasons table, they become a living but free part of the display. If you are depicting southern Africa, have the children together create from brown clay a baobab tree (see the photo in the post about Marega), a simple task for now is when the tree is without its leaves, and place it on the table. If you are depicting South America, have the children model from brown clay nests of the oven bird. You may leave the sky blue, but add lots of blowy streaks of grey to indicate the cold winds of the season.
For the northern side, you will want to display summer's brilliance and colour, the warmth, smells, and vibrance. Prepare small pots and plant nasturtium seeds, which are inexpensive, easy to grow, and have bright flowers. The leaves and, with some varieties the flowers too, are edible. This means that, when your holidays come, you can make a small salad from this part of the seasons table. From walks outdoors, add stones, feathers, fallen nests. Make a mobile of butterflies drawn by the children and hang it low over that side of the table. Why not try to weave together bits of straw to make a bird's nest? Occasional bowls of fruit (to be eaten quickly!) can also be added. Change the sky to a brilliant blue.
When it is time to read a story, gather the children around the table and choose stories that can be related to the displays. Be sure to keep a globe or map nearby to explain the two hemispheres and their seasons.
©2009, Anne Morddel
Seasons South and North
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