Expanding our knowledge about the solar system!

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Last week, ‘The Terrible Suitcase’ was read to Blue group whilst they were having lunch. The beautiful illustration of the solar system inside the cover generated an enthusiastic and rich discussion from the group. Children were sharing their knowledge and questioning each other and it was clear that this was an area of interest. So we began a mini inquiry into the Solar System.

https://youtu.be/h0heOYFutgU

In their Sea Creature groups, they first viewed the illustration of the solar system from the text. Then they took part in the visible thinking routine ‘I see, I think, I wonder.’

Here are the collective ideas from the neighbourhood.

I see….

  • Pluto
  • Saturn
  • Rings
  • Galaxy
  • Orbit
  • Dwarf planet
  • Earth
  • Mercury
  • Sun
  • Stars
  • World
  • Mars

I think….

  • “Mars is the hottest in our solar system” – Tristan
  • “Pluto is out of the solar system” – Sonny
  • “The sun is the oldest in our solar system”- Alessia
  • “Pluto is the furthest and the coldest planet” – Ike
  • “Space goes on forever” – Lachlan
  • “Pluto is a dwarf planet” – Alannah
  • “Jupiter is the biggest” Archie H
  • “Venus helps Earth spin” – Sarah
  • “Some planets are stars” – Hugo
  • “Pluto is very far away” – Banjo
  • “A flag was put on the moon” – Claudia
  • “The moon is not made of cheese! It is rock.” – Bessie
  • “The illustrations are nice” – Wren
  • “The moon is white” – Ozzy
  • “The moon is made out of a planet. A planet crashed into Earth and it is a piece of it” – Sammy
  • “There are bigger stars in space than the Sun. The Sun is actually a star.” – Felix

I wonder…..

  • “Why does the Earth have water?” – Mia
  • “How were islands made?” – Ozzy
  • “How old are the planets?” – Lewis
  • “How does the Solar System give electricity?” Seb E
  • “Is the Solar System important?” – Franzi
  • “How big are the planets?” – Archie H
  • “Are there insects on other planets?” – Owen L
  • “Are aliens real?” – Olivia
  • “How many planets are there in the whole of space?” – Lachlan
  • “Why are there circles around the sun?” – Alessia

The Preps had a look at some space books to find out more information 

Some songs about our Solar System

Student initiated home learning

Sammy and Archie created an impressive diorama at home over the weekend. The proudly shared it with the neighbourhood.