Making a Model (scale) Solar System

Do you know how big our sun is compared to our home planet? Can you visualize that? After our model solar system activity, we got a good idea for the sizes of the planets. Originally I’d really hoped to take the kids on an adventure around town showing the scale and distance apart, but even…

Continue Reading

Great Lessons Montessori Co-Op

We started a small Montessori Great Lessons co-op with friends this school year. In a Montessori elementary classroom, these are presented to the group as a jumping off place for all kinds of science explorations. Because the lower elementary plane is based on cooperative work, it’s great to be able to share our lessons together! Here’s…

Continue Reading

October Science Shelves

Here’s a quick peek at our science shelves for October. We’re still covering the first Great Lesson, and this is largely a space unit: Solar system, cosmic address, stars and constellations, phases of the moon and the seasons.

Continue Reading

How to Make a Solar System Mat

Confession time — No. 1: I am no seamstress. I don’t have much experience with a needle and thread. No 2: My husband stepped on a needle in the process of making this mat because someone, whom shall remain nameless, may or may not have left a needle on the floor. In the nameless person’s…

Continue Reading