Are your students excited about planets? My first graders are intrigued by the Solar System! When I begin teaching about the solar system, I start with gravity!
One of my favorite activities to teach with gravity is with balloons! Before you begin, give students a little background information about gravity.
1. Make an anchor chart. Draw a tree with an apple falling down. Explain that Sir Isaac Newton was an English mathematician who discovered gravity when he saw a falling apple while thinking about the nature of physics.
2. Explain what goes up must come down! Give each student a balloon with their name on it in case it bounces away you'll know who to return it to. Allow them to bounce them up and watch them come down. While they are jumping around, make your way around the room repeating the idea that your students are experiencing gravity.
3. Make it extra fun and put some fun music on. There are some really cute kid songs about gravity on YouTube.
4. Set up a couple of sensory bins. Place laminated copies of planets in rice. Have students look for them and then check them off on a checklist. You can make these or find them here!
After I did this activity, I actually found some planet erasers at Oriental Trading. I don't have an affiliate, just sharing I saw them. There are also some on Amazon. You could also make the planets by painting rocks. Either way, your students will love searching for the planets. Can you tell I am excited?
6. Color all the planets as you study them!
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