Space moves: Adding movement to solar system lessons

Earth and space science figure prominently in the National Science Education Standards for levels 5-8 (NRC 1996). The Earth in the Solar System standard focuses on students' ability to understand (1) the composition of the solar system (Earth, Moon, Sun, planets with their moons, and smaller objects like asteroids and comets) and (2) that gravitational force holds us to Earth and governs movement in the solar system. With a little creativity and thought, movement can be added to lessons addressing these abstract concepts. This article provides some examples found especially useful by students and teachers in the lower-middle-level grades. (Contains 1 figure.)