Spring Activities & Inspiration

Read

Many consider Du Fu (712-770AD) one of China's greatest poets, and his poetry continues to undergird Chinese culture similarly to Shakespeare's influence on the English language. Outside of his work as a poet, he was a political official but never had much success.

Read his poem "A Welcome Rain in a Spring Night" and watch the accompanying video in Chinese if interested.

A good rain knows its proper time; It waits till the Spring to fall.
It drifts in on the wind, steals in by night; It's fine drops drench, yet make no sound at all.
~Du Fu

_{*Adapted from 2024-25 Alveary Poetry Lessons.}

Listen & Look

Tip: Enjoy the art and music below for yourself, but if you share it with others, don't tell them the name of the musical piece until the end of your time.

Mountain Torrent

Study this picture by Dutch artist Jacob Van Ruisdael. Find a friend and take turn telling all you notice to each other.  

Listen

What season do you think this piece describes musically? [Don't tell the name of the piece until the end if you're sharing this with others!]

• Vivaldi (listen from just 0:00-2:08)

Listen to the same section again and see if you can hear the birds [violin], a mountain stream [the whole violin section], and even thunder [lots of string instruments on one note]!

_{*Adapted from Alveary Intro to Music Lessons}

Sing

As we approach Easter, consider the significance and hope in Jesus's death and resurrection with the hymn "Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended." Start by sharing (for younger students) or reading (for yourself or older students) about the history of the hymn.

Read the words aloud. Look closer at and discuss or look up any words that are new to you. For instance, "oblation" is something presented to God as an offering. Then listen to the full song.

Consider studying and listening to this hymn regularly over the next few weeks (or learn to play it on an instrument using this sheet music).

_{*Adapted from 2024-25 Alveary Hymn Lessons}

Walk Outside

• Notice birds. What colors and patterns do you notice? Notice who is arriving, who has left, and how they are behaving.
• When you notice the first pollinators appearing, observe who they are and what they are visiting.
• Notice the colors and sounds of spring. Find something that is your favorite color. Is there a particular living thing or community that presents this palette?

Scouting Ideas

Go hunting for signs of spring and listen for baby birdsong! Here are a few resources to support your adventures.

• Noticing Signs of Spring‍
• Baby Birdsong

_{*Drawn from the Outdoor Work Resource in Alveary Science lessons.}

Bonus: Draw

Immerse yourself in some Art this spring with these free lessons.

Bonus: Nature Reads

*From Alveary Science Extra Helpings

• Butternut Hollow Pond by Brian Heinz
• Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
• Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats by Ann Earle
• How a Seed Grows by Helene Jordan
• A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Aston
• Wiggling Worms at Work by Wendy Pfeffer
• Birds, Nests, and Eggs by Mel Boring
• Tiny Bird: a Hummingbird's Amazing Journey by Robert Burleigh
• How Do Birds Find Their Way? by Roma Gans