ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some of the excitement of teaching and learning about the Earth and space, a topic which remains at the cutting edge of science. It requires imagination and the ability to visualise in three dimensions, resulting in numerous alternative frameworks held by children and adults lacking the necessary information to help them 'decentre'. The chapter discusses Assessment for Learning (AfL) approaches to eliciting these misconceptions, and explores a series of observations, demonstrations, models and simulations for helping children to move forward. The importance of working scientifically – in its broadest sense – in this area has been emphasised, offering the visual and kinaesthetic experiences children need to make sense of the counter-intuitive explanations for seasonal and lunar changes. The chapter also explores some useful cross-curricular links with Religious Education (RE), history and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). It explains some possible uses of digital technology to support children's learning.
