Our Place in the Universe

Our new unit explores the central idea that Earth is surrounded by space and is part of a complex universe. 

What does that mean for us?

During this unit, Grade 2 students will learn about different celestial bodies such as the Sun, Moon, planets, stars, and asteroids. We will explore how these objects move and interact with each other in the solar system. 

We will also focus on why Earth is a unique planet. 

Students will think about what makes our planet different from other planets and why it is important to take care of it.

Through discussions, research, models, and creative projects, students will develop curiosity about space and our place in the universe. This unit encourages learners to ask questions, explore ideas, and understand that we are part of something vast and interconnected beyond our world.

To begin our unit, we started by exploring what we wonder, what we already know, and what we think about some elements of the solar system. Students reflected on their prior knowledge and shared their ideas through writing and discussion. This helped us see the different thoughts and understandings everyone brought to the classroom.

 

As we shared our ideas, we discovered that our curiosity about space is deep and exciting. Many of the things we talked about are objects we have never seen or experienced ourselves, yet we still have ideas and questions about them. 

Students eagerly asked questions and wrote down what they believe they know about the universe.

Through this process, we also realized something important: even when we think we know a lot, there is still so much more to learn and discover. Our conversations showed that the universe is full of mysteries that make us want to keep exploring. 

This beginning stage of our inquiry helped us understand that curiosity is an important part of learning and that our questions will guide us as we continue to learn about the solar system and our place within it.

Next week, students will focus on asking meaningful questions about space and the universe. We will begin with several provocation activities designed to spark curiosity and thinking. 

Students may observe images and videos of planets, stars, and galaxies, explore simple models of the solar system, and discuss surprising space facts. These experiences will encourage them to wonder, predict, and share their ideas with others. 

Learners will write and discuss questions to help develop inquiry skills and prepare them to investigate and discover new knowledge throughout our unit.