The current parade of planets in the night sky has me thinking about the engaging ways to use this event in the classroom. After all, with the early sunsets and late sunrises in this season, even our youngest students will be awake as darkness descends and the planets become visible.
This January through March several planets in our solar system will be visible, almost looking aligned, along the ecliptic. What’s the ecliptic? It represents the plane of the solar system in which the planets orbit around the Sun. (NASA)
Many students are curious about the night sky and have ideas about what is happening out there, especially after the solar eclipse that impacted us last year. It’s a wonderful topic to let their imaginations soar with stories, songs and images.
Language
*Use space related ideas as writing prompts such as what might exist in the solar system or even the galaxy. What would a planet need to be more ideal planet than Earth?
*Create poetry written from the perspective of each planet.
*Read aloud fiction and non-fiction fiction that encourages students to consider their role in the solar system. This is a great opportunity to read astronaut Chris Hadfield’s book, The Darkest Dark.
*Study Indigenous stories such as the Sky Woman creation story. Michelle Corneau wrote about it in “Strong Stories Kanyen’keha:ka: Creation Story Sky Woman”. It is also told in Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
*Share facts and ask further questions about the night sky.
Math
Our concept of time comes from mathematical calculations relating to the earth’s orbit of the sun and the daily rotation of Earth.
Science
*Explore the slogan “There is no Planet B” in relation to the curriculum expectations for your current science unit.
Social Studies
*What is it about the night sky that brings us together? All societies have been impacted by the night sky through navigation, science, exploration, myths, storytelling and the arts. Look at the far reach of van Gogh’s Starry Night painting! How does the night sky relate to your current social studies topic?
Physical Education
Planet themed movement games can include the ideas or orbiting, gravitational pull, and space exploration.
The Arts
Create a Planet Parade! There are so many ways to dramatize, paint, sculpt, and sing together plus there are amazing music pieces to enjoy and use to choreograph dance/movement. Immediately I hear 2001: Space Odyssey, the Star Wars theme, and the Star Trek Next Generation narration, “to boldly go where no one has gone before!”
Planet Parade: When To See It In January 2025
Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, and Saturn will be visible together in January 2025, with Jan. 21 being a good time to look in the evening. (University of Guelph News)
Fostering students’ curiousity about the solar system and the galaxy gives teachers the opportunity to reinforce that our beautiful home planet is unique. Listening to Indigenous peoples we must take care of Earth as if she were our mother. I hope the parade of planets inspires you and your students to explore and create together.
Keep looking up!
Brenda
P.S. Students may also be interested to hear about Canada’s involvement in the 2026 Artemis II mission to orbit the moon. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be on board. (Canada Space Agency)
