My six-year-old has developed an interest in space. He specifically asked to know more about the people who first landed on the moon. I looked around our house for our space books and displayed them in our learning space for him to look at and read.
On Wednesday he signed up to go the public library at school and came home with four more space books. I can tell his curiosity is growing and I don’t want to let it slip by and get away. While he was at school, I set up a invitation for him to explore his books and use clay to make models of the planets. I found beautiful FREE space-themed resources at Playful Learning. 
I placed his library books, clay and the printables from Playfullearning.net . Sculpey modeling clay is a material we have on hand all the time. (My daughter loves to make small charms and mini items with them. I’ll have to share her creations on another post.)
After school, we looked at the books together and at the images of the planets. Then he used the clay to make models of the planets. When he finishes we can bake them so they harden and use them for more learning or play. I am excited to see what becomes of his interest. If he’s like his siblings this will be an interest he sustains for a year or more. 
My next step will be to spend time reading the space books with him, sometimes aloud sometimes as shared reading beginning with Moon Landing by Richard Platt. I will have to wait and see what other questions he has to find appropriate resources. I see a trip to the planetarium and Science Center in our future as well.
If you are local to Phoenix, The Arizona SciTech Festival has lots of upcoming events. ASU Open Door 2018 also has some wonderful upcoming STEAM events in February. These are sure to be a hit with all three kids.
(PlayfulLearning.net has wonderful resources to encourage curiosity and observation in all areas. I recommend taking a look at what they offer.)
guidedlearningstudio.com 
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