Astronomy Class Summary 9/22/14

with Leigh Ann Yoder

Planet Mnemonics

Students began this week's class by sharing their mnemonics to help them remember the order of the planets. Here they are:

• My Very Excellent Mother Just Said Use Nick's Pliers (or Plunger)

• My Vicious Enemy Might Jump South Under Neptune's Party
  

• My Very Enthusiastic Moment Just Settled Under Nick's Practice

• Maine & Vermont Evergreens Make Jack's Son Up North Peaceful

• My Very Extraordinary Mother Just Served Us Nasty Pancakes

• My Very Evasive Mom Just Said U No Poo

• My Very Enormous Merciful Japanese Snakes Under Neck Pounced

• My Very Enthusiastic Mother Just Served Upside Down Nutty Pancakes
  

As a class we then spent a few moments filling in a table to establish proportional diameters and distances for our planets. The remainder of our class time was spent working on our model solar system. One of the biggest challenges for the students was working with a compass. I was very pleased to see the students work through their frustrations and very few asked for help. They were all determined to complete the project independently. Unfortunately, we ran out of time, so the students were asked to finish the project at home and bring it back to class next week. They should have all the supplies they need. Here is a link to the instructions, just in case there are any questions. 

Please note that we are skipping Chapter 2 (The Sun) this week and moving to Chapter 3 (Mercury). We will come back to the sun next week.

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Homework

MANDATORY:
Complete the model solar system begun in class and bring next week
ECA Chapter 3 (Mercury)
Lending Library Book 
Bring in a shoe box next week

OPTIONAL:
ACG Chapter 3 & 4
NB - pg. 34, 35, 38, 40