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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Four Seasons - Earth's Axis

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars discover that it is the tilt of the earth's axis that results in the seasons. They clarify common misconceptions about the earth's orbit around the sun.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Seasons

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders review the relationship between the Sun and the Earth. In groups, they use a globe and flashlights to show the shadows on the Earth during the different seasons. To end the lesson, they write in their journals about their...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

What Causes Day and Night?

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this day and night worksheet, students will that day and night are caused by the Earth's rotation on its axis and that the sun shines on different parts of the Earth. This worksheet has 4 fill in the blank statements.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reason for the Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scientists examine why we have seasons on Earth, and how the motion of the Earth around the Sun causes them. Groups of learners are given a variety of balls, a bamboo stick, a marker, and a flashlight, then use the objects to...
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Measure the Solar Diameter

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed Standards
Scientists could measure the diameter of the sun before they knew its distance. Scholars construct a simple mirror box to measure the diameter for themselves. They compare this measurement with the official size, listed in a textbook,...
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Lesson Plan
Journey Through the Universe

How Far is Far?

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
The earth only revolves around one thing — and it's not any of your pupils. The lesson includes two activities dealing with the distance to the sun and the moon. First, scholars create a pin hole camera and use the rules of similar...
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Activity
It's About Time

The History and Scale of the Solar System

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Take scientists beyond our earthly reach and into the solar system. Pupils create a model of the solar system and discuss strengths and weaknesses of their model. They calculate distances in light years, discuss the nebular theory, and...
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Activity
Star Date

Shadow Play

For Teachers K - 5th
Three activities make up a solar system lesson that features the sun, its light, and the shadows it produces. Scholars step outside to discover the changes shadows make at different times of day, take part in a demonstration of how Earth...
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Unit Plan
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North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Weather Watch Activity Guide: Groundhog Day

For Teachers K - 8th Standards
Exactly what do groundhogs know about weather? Not as much as your science students will after completing these lessons and activities that cover everything from the earth's rotation and the creation of shadows, to cloud...
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Activity
Curated OER

Scale Activities

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed Standards
How do you put something as large as the universe in perspective? Use a series of scale experiments. Classmates collaborate around four experiments to examine the scale of the earth-moon system, our solar system, the Milky Way galaxy,...
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Activity
101 Questions

Speed of Light

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
How quickly does light travel long distances? A short video simulates light going from the earth to the moon at two different paces. Scholars relate the distance to the rate to understand which simulation is correct.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: Constellations and the Sun

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners review the zodiac signs and illustrate their movement using constellations on the wall and themselves to represent earth. Individually or in groups, they stand in the center of the room while a shadeless lamp is placed between...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Big is the Sun? Exploring the Size and Scale of the Sun, Earth and Moon

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore the relative sizes of the Sun, Earth and Moon as they make an impressive large-scale model for classroom use throughout the unit.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes Day and Night? The Earth's Rotation

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students discover that the Earth rotates on its axis in a cyclical fashion. They examine how this rotation results in day and night.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth, Sun and Moon

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars investigate that the sun is at the center of the solar system through role play. One student is the sun and one student is the Earth. The students then show how the Earth orbits around the sun. Young scholars view a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Earth-Moon-Sun System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders research Native American legends involving the sun, moon, and stars and compare them to the origin of present day knowledge. They create a written report and make an oral presentation of their findings to the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun's habitable Zone

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the average surface temperature of planets. They use the Planet Temperature Calculator to find the average temperature. Students explore how the distance from the sun affects the Earth's average surface temperature. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Effects of the Sun on Our Planet (Grades 2-4)

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students observe how the sun's rays can cause evaporation and discuss its role in the weather cycle. They discover what the sun's energy brings to plants. They examine how different types of technology can enhance the amount of solar...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: Sun

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars research information about the Sun, sunspots and how the Sun creates nuclear energy. They investigate how the Sun affects Earth.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

As the Sun Burns

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the types of light the sun gives the Earth. They describe the electro-magnetic spectrum and how to protect themselves from different types of light. They identify the layers of the atmosphere as well.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heating the Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars explore how the angle of sunlight affects the Earth's temperature and seasons and then apply this understanding to their local situation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth is Tilted, What Does that Mean?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the tilt in the Earth's revolution around the sun. Using that information, they draw a picture and label the indirect and direct rays of the sun. In groups, they answer discussion questions and complete an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Turns? Prove It!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students construct a pendulum using a washer and thin fishing line. In this earth science lesson, students simulate Earth's rotation using the pendulum bob and swivel chair. They explain how this activity proves that the Earth is indeed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Sun Models of the World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explain that many different cultures across the world developed their own reasoning for the weather around them. They explore the different cultural beliefs of the sun's cycle and to create their own story of the sun's movement.

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