Elementary Astronomy

Using trade books to teach about astronomy is not a simple task. First you must pick a book that doesn’t promote misconceptions and is the correct age and developmental level for the target... See More

Using trade books to teach about astronomy is not a simple task. First you must pick a book that doesn’t promote misconceptions and is the correct age and developmental level for the target audience. This article suggests several trade books to explain what objects are in the sky, what can be seen during twilight and nighttime, about comparing skies, and movements in the sky. Two computer websites are also provided to make sure students understand about viewing the skies at night.

Connecting Real-Life and Literature

This is a nice progression of activities to use with early elementary students combining real-life observations and the focusing of the children’s observations of the skies in several books ... See More

This is a nice progression of activities to use with early elementary students combining real-life observations and the focusing of the children’s observations of the skies in several books for young readers. Although the questioning seems repetitive, it is exactly the kind of concentration needed for kids that age to make their own connections. A very nice set of activities.

Good Foundation for Early Elementary Students

I found this article to be very useful for primary grade teachers. It gives guidelines on how to select books that are scientifically accurate and how to address incorrect images with studen... See More

I found this article to be very useful for primary grade teachers. It gives guidelines on how to select books that are scientifically accurate and how to address incorrect images with students when present in books. The article suggests some good activity and book ideas to lay the foundation for student understand about what objects appear in the day and night skies, which leads into describing their movements and positions relative to earth, which is a later concept.