I love teaching the astronomy section in my earth science curriculum. I love teaching earth science in general. There is so much enthusiasm from my students to know so much about our earth and how natural phenomenons occur. Moreover there is so much enthusiasm on my part and I love seeing their expressions when they learn about the solar system, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and where wind and heat waves come from.
This past month my students had been learning a great deal about the solar system and were required to build models of it from what they had learned in class or even elsewhere through internet or school library. I loved watching them plan, and then get their materials and work together as a team while building. They showed maturity, engagements, and ownership for their work.
To model how earth, the sun, and the moon rotate and revolve around eachother, I used three students to represent all three bodies, and each one had to perform his or her motion roles to show the class how it was done. They take turns which makes it fun because they get dizzy! But they get the idea.
There is no limit to how many models can be built to represent a system. Seeing the variety that my students presented of the solar system was very inspiring. I look forward to seeing more in future years!
