conversation earth and moon for life.
Answers
T
he Earth, Moon & Sun planetarium show is
an immersive learning experience that in-
volves students in looking, listening, con-
templating, and inquiring. As a teacher, you
can build on this experience by continuing with
related discussions in your classroom—and ex-
tending these to reading, writing, and hands-on
learning activities. In the following pages are
some examples of approaches you can take.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center cre-
ated Earth, Moon & Sun to help children ex-
plore the relationship between our home planet
and its most familiar neighbors. Children are
helped in their exploration by Coyote, a char-
acter adapted from Native American oral tradi-
tions. Native American stories woven through-
out the show illustrate how we have long sought
to understand our planet and the skies above us.
In this show, Coyote proves to be an amusing
guide because he has so many misconceptions
about space. Coyote’s confusion brings sci-
entific facts to light and helps students think
about how Earth, Moon, and Sun work together
as a system. Students learn why the Sun rises
and sets and the basics of fusion and solar en-
ergy. They examine the Moon’s orbit, craters,
phases, and eclipses. The show also describes
past and future space travel to our Moon and
beyond.
The Earth, Moon & Sun show and related class-
room activities connect to a range of standards-
based science and non-science content, while
also responding to children’s varied interests
and learning styles. Viewers of all ages can ap-
preciate Earth, Moon & Sun, but students in
Grades 2-5 will especially enjoy and benefit
from this engaging exploration of the Earth-
Moon-Sun system.