I learned about the solar system in
second grade. Mercury―closest to the sun and looking like the moon. Venus―a
steam bath. Earth―in living color and full of life. Mars―the red planet.
Jupiter―jumbo sized and bearing a spot. Saturn―festooned with rings.
Uranus―nothing special. Neptune―same as Uranus, but even further away and
colder. Pluto―the little guy in an elliptical orbit.
Saturn fascinated me. All those
lovely rings. I’ve even had a look at the sixth planet through a microscope
during college. It looks just like its pictures, only smaller.
Back to second grade. I don’t
remember what the occasion was, but the two second grade classrooms presented a
program (for our parents, I think, about what we were learning, apparently).
Nine of us were chosen to represent the planets. My classroom took the odd
numbered planets. I was selected for Uranus.
Clay models were hung around our
necks. I stood on stage with my clay ball, next to Saturn with its cardboard
rings. Oh, how I wished I was adorned with Saturn instead of Uranus. Who cares
about Uranus?
Years later, new truths were
discovered. Pluto, they say, isn’t a planet. And Uranus has rings, too! I was
cheated! I should have stood on stage with cardboard rings stuck in my clay
ball.
Do you have a favorite planet?
That's cute, Terri! I guess I'd have to say Earth is my favorite. :) It's my home! :) I love studying science.
ReplyDeleteYes, Earth is definitely more hospitable. And from the moon it looks beautiful. I have a framed earthrise photo from Apollo 8. Incredible!
DeleteHaven't thought about the planets since about second grade. :)
ReplyDelete