Curated OER
The Path of the Sun: The Ecliptic
Students investigate the celestial sphere and the paths it takes in the solar system.
Curated OER
"Space" Investigations
Sixth graders understand the patterns of change observable on Earth as a result of the movement of the different bodies in the solar system. They identify the physical characteristics of the different components of the solar system.
Curated OER
I'm Being Followed By a Moonshadow
Students explore solar and lunar eclipses and how the sun, Earth, and moon cause them.
Curated OER
The Moon
Students explore the relationship between the earth, sun, and moon in our solar system. They create a moonrise/moonset chart, perform a dance that models the moon phases, and create a Styrofoam model of the moon's surface.
Curated OER
Exploring the Night Sky: Fall/Winter
Students explain how moon phases occur. They explain three ways that the night sky has been used through history. Students locate some of the constellations in the night sky. They discuss stories and myths surrounding stars.
S2tem Centers SC
Seasons
Winter, spring, summer, and fall—take the learning of the seasons beyond the elementary level to the middle school classroom. Curious learners begin by watching videos about the seasons and the rotation of planet Earth. Then,...
Curated OER
Once in a Blue Moon
Third graders identify the phases of the moon. They use technology to access websites on the Internet dealing with the moon.
Curated OER
Moon Glow
Pupils identify the Earth-Moon relationship and the phases of the Moon. They participate in an activity that illustrates why the Moon has so many different looks within a lunar cycle. They discuss solar and lunar eclipses.
Curated OER
Moon
Students discover scientific facts about the Moon and how
some American Indian Tribes used the moon to measure time.
They accomplish this by listening to stories and poetry, writing
stories, communicating with an astronaut,...
Curated OER
Extensions - Astronomy Review Unit
Students participate in a review unit in Astronomy using the Layered Curriculum. This allows them to take charge of the type of assessment that is given. The method also allows better differentiation of instruction to occur.
Curated OER
The Vocabulary of Space
Students build their knowledge and understanding of vocabulary related to space. In this space instructional activity, students discuss four categories of words and phrases related to space.
Curated OER
Kepler-The Hunt for Earth-like Planets
In this hunt for planets worksheet, students read about the Kepler satellite used to detect exoplanets. Students solve 6 problems including drawing a sun disk and determining the scale in kilometers/millimeter, finding the area of the...
Glynn County School System
Light, History, Gravity, Distance, Relativity, and Space-Time
Let the star's color be the guide! The color of a star indicates its temperature and its mass and distance affect the gravitational force. The lesson presentations address these concepts as well as how the theory of special relativity...
Curated OER
The Moon is made of Cheese
Eighth graders explore the reasons why they believe scientific ideas are true. They think critically rather than accept everything they are told without question.
Curated OER
Exploring the Night Sky: Summer
Learners explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
Curated OER
The Path of the Sun, the Ecliptic
Students are introduced to the ecliptic, the zodiac and the apparent motions of the Sun, Moon and planets across the sky.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Astronomy for Kids: Lunar and Solar Eclipses
Kids learn about lunar and solar eclipses in the science of astronomy including the umbra, antumbra, penumbra shadows as well as total, partial, and annular.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Solar Eclipses
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Find out how solar eclipses occur.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Eclipses
A introductory lesson explaining the differences between lunar and solar eclipses.
NASA
Nasa: Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Information on solar and lunar eclipses for current year as well as past and future.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "What Is an Eclipse?" by Nasa
CommonLit.org is a wonderful resource to use in a Language Arts classroom. Each story or article is accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. In addition, students can click on words to see...
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Solar and Lunar Eclipse Model
Experience the simulation of both solar and lunar eclipses to understand why these eclipses do not occur monthly.
NASA
Nasa: Eclipses
The periodicity and recurrance of eclipses is governed by the Saros cycle, a period of approximately 6,585.3 days (18 years 11 days 8 hours). It was known to the Chaldeans as a period when lunar eclipses seem to repeat themselves, but...