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Lake Afton Public Observatory

Shadows, Angles, and the Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
Shine some light on the topic of seasonal change with this collection of activities. Whether it's by measuring the change in the length of their shadows, or modeling the earth's orbit around the sun using a lamp and a globe, these...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seein' Double, Seein' Double

For Teachers K - 2nd
By using the Internet, hands-on activities, video, and cooperative learning, pupils look into the conditions in which light casts shadows on objects. The lesson plan includes fabulous hands-on activities, art projects, worksheets, and...
PPT
Curated OER

Light

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Here is a stellar slide show for illuminating middle schoolers' minds on the topic of light! An interactive slide allows viewers to sort light sources by whether or not they are man-made. More objects are displayed and learners discover...
Activity
North American Montessori Center

Sun and Moon Autumnal Equinox Activities

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Two hands-on activities celebrate the sun and moon autumnal equinox. First, scholars create a cairn using a shoebox, flashlight, and drawing tools to view the sun's progression. Second, learners take to the kitchen to bake mooncakes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun, Shadows, Surface Structure...and the Face on Mars

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils use light and shadow information to make inferences regarding the three dimensional shapes of specific objects photographed on the surface of Mars. Limitations of the of the data provided are discussed and entries made into the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shadow Games

For Teachers K - 5th
Students create different shapes by putting light on different objects. They change the distance from the object, the light source and angles to make the shadows different. They are to describe the relationship between the light, object...
PPT
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Curated OER

Solar/Lunar Eclipses and the Seasons

For Teachers 5th - 7th
How do the moon, sun, and Earth line up to create eclipses? Why do the seasons change throughout a year? The answers to these questions are explained through this series of slides. This apt presentation outlines information using bullet...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Only the Shadow Knows

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students become familiar with the causes for formation of shadows. They create shadows, compare the size and shape of the shadow with the actual object, engage in shadow play theatre, and discover what happens to shadows when there is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Light Moves

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners study the movement of light. In this light lesson, students work in groups to participate in a light and shadow walk around their neighborhood. Learners brainstorm rules for light movement and watch videos about light travel,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Individual Sundial (Cloud/Rain Activity)

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students make a simple sundial to examine the changes in shadows over time. In this sundial and shadow instructional activity, students make a simple sundial out of a manila folder and pencil. They observe how shadows change over time,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Silhouette Outlines

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a silhouette by directing light at a person. They change the light, distance from the person and angle to make the shadows different. They are to describe the relationship between the light source and the object.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Reasons for the Seasons

For Students 10th
This worksheet requires the pupils to follow a teacher activity, so more-than-the-usual preparation for a practical is needed. Looking at a globe as it rotates and receives "sunlight" from a flashlight, pupils are able to observe the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Is a Stick Up

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students create a sundial and track the movement of the sun throughout the day. Modifications to the lesson are provided for both lower and upper elementary students.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reasons for Seasons

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners model the tilt of the Earth as it orbits the Sun. They explain the meaning and characteristics of solstices and equinoxes. They explain that sunlight hits the Earth at different angles at different locations over the course of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seasons

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students investigate the reason for seasons on Earth during three activities. They construct a model of the Earth and Sun to identify patterns in the changes of the angle of light on the Earth's surface. Then they conduct a heat...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reasons for Seasons

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate a model of the tilt of the Earth in its relationship to the Sun during the different seasons of the year. They study the solstices and equinoxes, while determining how sunlight hits the Earth with different angles in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon Phases

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils engage in a study looking for the differences found during the cycle of one lunar month. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Then the information is used to construct a lunar calendar to observe daily changes and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study how the sun is at the center of the solar system.  In this solar lesson plan students measure the altitude of the sun and its size.
Interactive
Harvard University

Harvard Smithsonian: Everyday Classroom Tools

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
The focus of this series of lessons is to engage students in an exploration of the world around them. The emphasis is on inquiry as students learn about the earth, sun, light, shapes and more.