The Cosmic Nesting Tower is a material in the lower elementary classroom that helps students understand the relationship between themselves and the universe. Waseca makes this specific material; its official narrative is included in this lesson. Like Russian nesting dolls, the boxes make the tower fit inside each other. The order of the boxes, from largest to most petite, goes as follows:

• Milky Way Galaxy

• Solar System

• Earth

• Your continent

• Your country

• Your state or region

• Your city or town

• The building of your school

• The child

Additional boxes could be the universe (the very largest box) and the energy within the child (the smallest box). The students will play a game where the dimensions of the playing area begin to shrink, and each new playing area will represent the following box. The students will get a visceral experience of watching and feeling their playing area get smaller and smaller as if the child is zooming in from the universe to their school. This game is a fun companion to the Cosmic Nesting Tower lesson.

Materials: 

·      A large play area (a gym works best, but can be played outside)

o   If in the gym, use the lines already established on the court

o   If outside, bring lots of rubber disc dots to create the perimeter(s) of the playing area and the half line.

·      Several large yoga balls

Minimum Number of Students Needed: This game can be played with as few as two players but is more fun with more students.

Age: Lower elementary

Material Connection

 Waseca Cosmic Nesting Tower. https://wasecabiomes.org/products/cosmic-nesting-boxes