ESERO’s “The Planets” activity is an excellent resource for engaging students in learning about our solar system. Here’s how I would use it in my classroom:
1.Introduction: Begin with a captivating video or a story about space exploration to spark interest. Discuss the solar system and the different planets, emphasising their unique characteristics.
2.Activity Setup: Divide students into small groups and provide each group with the ESERO “The Planets” activity materials. This typically includes planet fact cards, a scaled model or images of the planets, and interactive worksheets.
3.Inquiry-Based Learning: Encourage each group to explore the materials and formulate questions about the planets. Guide them to use the fact cards to find answers. For example, questions could include, “Which planet is the hottest?” or “What is unique about Saturn’s rings?”
4.Hands-On Exploration: Have students create a scaled model of the solar system using the provided materials. This visual and hands-on approach helps them understand the relative sizes and distances between planets.
5.Presentation and Discussion: Each group presents their findings to the class, explaining what makes their assigned planet unique. This encourages public speaking and reinforces their understanding through teaching.
6.Reflection: Conclude with a reflection session where students discuss what they found most surprising or interesting about the planets. They could also write a short paragraph or draw a picture of their favourite planet, explaining why they chose it.