Rotation or revolution? Mrs. Teufel and Ms. Klee's classes revolved and rotated Styrofoam Earth balls and moons around lightbulb suns to explore details and patterns in the shadowing of each. Students used the language of scientists, discussed the impact of multiple perspectives (view from Earth, space, and moon, and had a wonderful time.
The deliberate inclusion of Kaplan prompts (the words in italics) helped us add depth and complexity to the lesson. Some students even discovered rules that govern relationships between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Discoveries included that half the Earth and Moon are always light and the other half is dark, that we see only the lighted side of the moon and that's why we have moon phases, and that both suns and lit lightbulbs are really hot. It's a good thing we discussed safety first and there were no accidents by our Jr. scientists!
For many students, this hands activity delivered an AHA! moment as they finally saw for themselves how the position of the moon caused moon phases. This activity opens the Earth, Moon, and Sun Relationship unit. Students also discussed how scientists use models to help them understand and explain concepts and objects that are either too small or too large to be seen and studied, like cells and solar systems.
You can read more about Sandra Kaplan's thoughts on depth and complexity here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVrUupDR1ss and more information at: http://envisiongifted.com/understanding-depth-and-complexity.html
The deliberate inclusion of Kaplan prompts (the words in italics) helped us add depth and complexity to the lesson. Some students even discovered rules that govern relationships between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Discoveries included that half the Earth and Moon are always light and the other half is dark, that we see only the lighted side of the moon and that's why we have moon phases, and that both suns and lit lightbulbs are really hot. It's a good thing we discussed safety first and there were no accidents by our Jr. scientists!
For many students, this hands activity delivered an AHA! moment as they finally saw for themselves how the position of the moon caused moon phases. This activity opens the Earth, Moon, and Sun Relationship unit. Students also discussed how scientists use models to help them understand and explain concepts and objects that are either too small or too large to be seen and studied, like cells and solar systems.
You can read more about Sandra Kaplan's thoughts on depth and complexity here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVrUupDR1ss and more information at: http://envisiongifted.com/understanding-depth-and-complexity.html