Sun Tracker: Kindergarten Students Explore the Movement of the Sun with a Simple Classroom Addition

Autor/inn/en	Lough, Tom; Hollifield, Kim
Titel	Sun Tracker: Kindergarten Students Explore the Movement of the Sun with a Simple Classroom Addition
Quelle	In: Science and Children, 58 (2020) 2, S.29-32 (4 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0036-8148
Schlagwörter	Kindergarten; Young Children; Astronomy; Science Activities; Classroom Environment; Science Materials + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Frühe Kindheit; Astronomie; Klassenklima; Unterrichtsklima
Abstract	This article describes how kindergarten scientists at Caldwell Heights Elementary School in Round Rock, Texas created what they named a "Light Circle" using their classroom's south-facing window, its windowsill, and a small round mirror. The tilt of the Earth and the latitude of one's location combine to determine if the Sun ever shines into classroom windows. For schools located north of the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.5 degrees north of the equator), the Sun shines into a south-facing window all day long, clouds notwithstanding. After realizing they had a south-facing window, the class decided to glue a one-inch round mirror to the windowsill to watch what might happen. Right away, the children noticed the reflection of the Sun on the ceiling. They marveled that their Light Circle traveled across the ceiling each sunny day. They connected this to the movement of the Sun across the sky from east to west. As the autumn months passed, the children noticed the location of the Light Circle path changed. It got farther and farther away from the window. When they returned to school after the holidays, the children noticed the path began to move back toward the window. Regardless of whether schools are open or not, this activity could also be implemented at home. Teachers can encourage each child's family to find a south-facing window and affix a small mirror to the windowsill. That's it. Although space systems do not enter the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) sequence until first grade, this activity can generate curiosity and pave the way for a deeper understanding before the kindergartners move on up. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	National Science Teaching Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: https://www.nsta.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01