First grade hosts the 2nd annual star gazing party on Thursday, February 15th. A culminating event for their expedition, guided by a question- What’s up in the sky: A study of the sun, moon, and stars.
First grade families were invited for an evening of star gazing with local experts and astronomers, The Wighams. During their in depth study, our learners built background knowledge asked questions and prepared for this event.
In this expedition, students learning was guided by the following questions-
Why do authors write about the sun, moon, and stars?
What patterns can we observe in the sky?How do authors use their knowledge and observations to write a story? 
Students explained that the sun and moon appear in different places in the sky. They also noticed that stars are visible at night but not during the day. And they explored how patterns of motion of objects in the sky can be described and predicted.
Families and students all came together as learners and viewed the night sky through a professional telescope, identified and drew constellations.
I A huge thank you to our first grade team, Brooke Brumback, Erica Farmer, and Amy Haworth for bringing learning to life to our Conway Community of learners.