PATTERNS IN THE SKY

Hello everyone,

I’m excited to share that this year I’ll be posting updates every two weeks to keep you connected to what’s happening in science. Each post will follow the format of Where We Were, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going, so you can see the story of our learning unfold.

Where We Were

We’ve been getting into the swing of things with science by practicing CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) writing, strengthening our observation and inference skills, and reviewing class procedures. We also spent time discussing the importance of communication in science, laying the foundation for collaboration and critical thinking throughout the year.

Where We Are

We’ve now begun investigating our anchoring phenomenon: Manhattanhenge. This striking event—when the setting sun aligns with the streets of Manhattan—has sparked rich discussion about patterns in the sky. Students have also been exploring stories from astronomers across cultures and considering what first sparked their curiosity about the sky and its connection to the human experience.

Below: Image of Manhattanhenge

Where We’re Going

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll begin exploring sun patterns and seasons, using our work with Manhattanhenge as a guide. This investigation will help us build a deeper understanding of how Earth’s movements create the rhythms of daylight and seasonal change.

Meet Mr. Roberto

I’m happy to introduce Mr. Roberto, our student teacher from Millersville University. He will be with us Wednesday through Friday in the fall and every day in the spring as he works toward his certification in Secondary Earth Science. He’s already been a wonderful addition to our classroom, excited to engage with students and share his love of science.

Below: Image of Mr. Roberto on his first day!

Team News

A quick reminder: CTC Permission Slips are due by September 24th. The trip is scheduled for Thursday, October 1st. Please complete the permission form here: CTC Permission Slip Form.

This year’s group is full of great thinkers, and I know we are going to have a wonderful year of learning together.

If you have any questions or want to connect further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at curtis_catwood@conestogavalley.org. You can also follow our journey on Instagram at @classwithcatwood, where I share updates and snapshots of our exciting classroom activities.

Stay Gold,

Mr. Catwood