NASA Logo, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
One NASA Look and Feel, Web Standards to the rescue.

Sun-Earth Day Presents: Eclipse, In a Different Light

ECLIPSE LESSON PLANS

A Playground Model
A playground model to explore the movement of the Sun and the Earth
Adding the Moon
A playground model to explore the movement of the Sun and the Earth
Definition of Illumination
Eclipsing the Sun
Use this physical model to demonstrate how an eclipse occurs.
Explore a model of Earth’s yearly revolution around the sun
In order to illustrate how much sunlight different parts of Earth receive through the year, this model shows our planet much larger and closer to the sun than it actually is.
How Big is the Sun? Exploring the Size and Scale of the Sun, Earth and Moon
Students will explore the relative sizes of the Sun, Earth and Moon as they make an impressive large-scale model for classroom use throughout the unit.
Our Solar System
A look at the Solar System
Moon Glow
This activity will help student identify the relationship of the Earth and the Moon, identifying the alignment that causes an eclipse.
Moon Orbit and Rotation
Read about the Moon Orbit
Motion of the Sun and Earth
This is using a playground model to understand rotation and revolution.
Sundials: Observing and Using Shadows
Students use shadows to determine time.
The Earth's Orbit
Read on all level's to discover the Earth's Orbit.
The Planet Dance
This is a basic demonstration about the Sun-Earth-Moon system and how they move about each other
What Makes Day and Night: The Earth’s Rotation
Students are introduced to day and night through a whole class reading of F. Branley's What Makes Day and Night. A kinesthetic modeling of day and night allows students to experience the spinning Earth and the day/night cycle.
What Makes Shadows: Observing and Drawing
Students begin their investigation to understand shadows and the difference of a shadow and illumination.

GENERAL SUN-EARTH CONNECTION LESSON PLANS

All About the Sun
From NASA’s Quest's Learning Technologies Channel (at NASA Ames) and the Stanford Solar Center, learn more about the sun from this impressive archive of video clips and materials from past webcasts.
Create an Edible Model of the Sun
Studying Our Scintillating Sun: Students will construct an edible model of the Sun denoting surface and interior feature.
Daytime Astronomy for Elementary and Middle School Students
The over-arching question addressed by these units is "Why do daylight hours vary in length where we live?" All activities have been arranged for convenience into three interchangeable units.
Making Sundials: Observing and Using Shadows
Students build sundials and observe changes in shadows over the course of one or more days.
The Sun: An Introduction
This lesson introduces the topic of the Sun. Students also begin making entries in their Science Journals.
NASA Logo - nasa.gov