Astronomy Week

Last week was a busy Science week as we had multiple visitors from outside the school. On Tuesday and Thursday, we were fortunate to have Ms. Patsy Eldridge return to Proctor to enhance our instruction regarding Astronomy. On Tuesday Ms. Eldridge did a great job informing the class about the phases of the moon. We learned about the lunar month and what causes the moon to appear in different shapes during various times of the month.

MOON PHASES

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday, Ms. Eldridge returned to explain why the Earth experiences the four seasons. The students learned that it is the tilt of the Earth on its axis that creates the seasons, not the distance from the Sun. In fact, during the winter, we are closer to the Sun than we are in the summer! It all has to do with the tilt and how it affects direct and indirect light form the Sun. As always, Ms. Eldridge did a wonderful job explaining complex topics to the class in a way that every child in the class understood. Great job. 

 

SEASONS

 

 

Finally, on Friday, the Museum of Science and the Traveling Planetarium visited the Proctor School. The inflatable structure was a wonderful way for the students to view the night sky and to learn where stars, planets, and constellations are located during this time of year. The presentation was both informative and fun for the class.

 

MOS Planetarium

 

 

All in all, a great week of Astronomy for 5th graders at Proctor. Moving forward we will be doing a fun research report on planets in our solar system and a moon journal as we forge ahead in the subject of Astronomy. Good stuff!