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Astronomy is perhaps one of the oldest sciences, since it was originated by the earliest civilizations. They used the stars to predict when to planet and harvest their crops and invented calendars and time according to the annual and daily motions of the sun. They invested star patterns (constellations) to create star maps of the sky. These ancient astronomers (astrologers) were interested in recording and then predicting the motions of the wandering stars (planets) and the moon, which they believed controlled human destinies. Modern astronomers recognize the contributions of these early scientists. Although we no longer believe in astrology, the legacy of observations made by the astrologers provided the foundation for mankind to learn about what we see in space and ultimately to enture out for a closer look.
This book is designed to help students see how easy it is to learn by observing what is happening in the sky, both day and night. It begins with a simple experiment to show students how they can use their shadows to learn about the sun's daily motion. They discover that the sun appears to move east to west, making their shadows change length and direction during the day. Proving that it is Earth which is doing the moving, and not the sun, was difficult for our ancient ancestors. For over 2,000 years they believe that Earth was the center of all we see in space, and everything - including the sun, moon, planets, and stars - revolving around our planet. Many of our young students have these same misconceptions. By following the shadow activity with a demonstration using a globe with a paper figure on it and the sun, the children can see that the shadow's changes can be created by a rotating Earth.
The mystery of why the moon changes its shape is solved through nightly observations and drawings students make of the moon from first crescent to full phase. This data is collected each night and then brought to school to be recorded on a classroom chart. The data is applied during an activity to simulate the phases of the moon, using Styrofoam balls as the moon and a bright light as the sun. Even young children can begin to solve the mystery of the cause for the phases of the moon through these activities.
Using the ancient ocnstellations, students begin to find their way around the night sky, They look at the pictures ancient astronomers superimposed on the star patterns and then invent their own modern constellations from these same patterns. Using the dot-to-dot method, the children find the dipper and the bear hidden in the sky. They place this pattern over the outline of a bear which Native Americans invented long ago for this set of stars. The students hear the story which explains how Ursa Major and Ursa Minor (Big Bear and Little Bear) got their long tails.
Students also learn about the comparative sizes of the planets and their distances from the sun and each other. This is done using scale models created by the teacher to enable students to experience these concepts concretely. Finally students explore comets and simulate the ingredients that make up comets.
The students' families are involved throughout these activities which take place during and after school. Thus, the child has the opportunity to show his or her family that science is really fun.
Title: Stars & Planets - Super Science Activities
Grades: 2-5
Paperback: 48pp.
Publisher: Teacher Created Resources , Inc. (2002)
Series: TCR 3663
Author: Ruth M. Young, M.S. Ed.
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0-7439-3663-9
ISBN-13: 9780743936637 | 
