Planet Play!

This week, our preschoolers created their own planets! Kelsey began our lesson with a Dr. Seuss Cat In The Hat book, "There's No Place Like Space." As soon as I could even say Cat In The Hat, an uproar came from the kids. The book was definitely a big hit! After asking the students a few questions from the book to get them thinking about planets and how they differ, Bre introduced our artist of the week, Lynette Cook. A Powerpoint of images were displayed as the students enjoyed their snacks. Besides getting a bit distracted due to snack disposal issues, students were very engaged and talkative during Bre's Powerpoint.

Students were then asked to listen to a brief demonstration as the painting of a planet project was introduced. Students quickly dispersed back to their seats after the demo and began using their fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark paints to create their planet(s) on a black sheet of construction paper. As Mallory snapped some photos, Kelsey and Bre scanned over the completed paintings to show students how the paint glows under black lights.

(Below: Julia showing off her planet painting!)

After another brief demo focusing on texture with model magic and other materials, students got to work on their second project of the day, which was constructing a 3D planet. The model magic was neon; therefore, they also glowed under the black light. A mini-planetarium was set up at the back of the room filled with lighting from two black lights. As students finished their planets, they were instructed to check them out in the planetarium. The planetarium was popular with the students, as they each made continuous visits and even showed their planets to their parents when they arrived. It was definitely a fun and exciting day!

(Below: Students inside the planetarium with their 3D planets!)

Some conversation (inside the planetarium) . . .

Mallory: "What does your planet have on it? Does anyone live on your planet?"

Jack: "The sparkles are alien ships!" (Referring to the colorful sequins on his planet)

Stephen: "Mine are lots of eyes!"

Sofia: "These are buttons!"