We've been talking all about our planet Earth -- the friendly planet, the planet where we live, the planet that provides us with all our social and biological needs! We created models of Earth using the technique of paper mache. We also made a planet earth mosaic using contact paper and tiny cutouts of blue and green paper to represent water and land respectively.
Learning about the four layers of Earth!
Mars - The Red Planet!
Our planet Mars discussion hovered around the satellite ROVER and the two potato-like moons. Children were deeply interested in these and talked about it for weeks!
We pretended to be the ROVER and using our hands picked rocks, painted them red, and put them in our "sample case." We also used a little remote-controlled car to learn more about the concept of how scientists control the ROVER from Earth. They loved being scientists and working the controls!
Later we created our model of Mars using clay and tiny red rocks.
Jupiter - The biggest planet with a Red Spot!
The storms of Jupiter was a topic of attraction for our friends. We learned how and why Jupiter is a striped planet and that its big red spot is really a big storm! Then we created Jupiter bean mosaics and a model of Jupiter to add to our solar system.
Saturn - the planet with 13 rings!
Uranus!
Neptune!
Our field trip to the planetarium!!!
We enjoyed the "secret of the cardboard rocket" show that took us on a fun exciting journey to the solar system where we landed on different planets one by one and further learned all about the stars and constellations. Our kids wowed the planetarium staff with their knowledge!
Other projects:
Creating aliens from a mix of human and animals eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, hair, and ears cut outs from newspapers and magazines. Life could look like anything, so we used our imaginations...
Saint Patrick's Day!!!
Friends designed their own leprechaun traps and then worked together to create one as a group.
Putting together the trap!
Decorating shamrocks!
So, did our trap work? Drumroll... yes!! We did have a visitor in our trap who was witty enough to escape, leaving behind some cool treats for us along with a special note addressed to our room children ;)
We are diving into new spring projects and children are excited to see what next discussions and activities are in store for them!
Keep seeing you all around,
Hugs,
Teacher Rashida.
