University of Michigan
Making of America: Illustrated Poems of Oliver Wendell Holmes
A complete, searchable text of "Illustrated Poems of Oliver Wendell Holmes," which was illustrated by George Randolph Barse and others.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium:seasons/shadows: Investigate How Shadows Shift Throughout the Year
Ancient Chacoans used shadows to tell daily time and seasons. Build a model that demonstrates the changes in Earth's tilt that affect the length of shadows relative to the sun that determines the seasons. The lesson plan uses everyday...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Identifying the Sun as a Source of Light by Observing Shadows
Students investigate shadows and discover that the sun is a source of light.
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Shadow Play
Everyone and everything has a shadow. Shadows illustrate how three-dimensional objects can be viewed in two dimensions.
Other
Center for Science Education: Eye on the Sky: What Makes Shadows?
Students will enjoy these activities where they draw shadows, and observe the sun's placement and how its position impacts on the size of a shadow.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Tracking the Sun: Observing the Path of the Sun Throughout the Year
Over the course of the school year, students collect weekly data about the sun's position at a specific time of day, resulting in creating a figure "8" that shows the path of the sun called an analemma.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: The Art and Science of Color
This series of programs includes hand-tinted archival films, contemporary offerings by local artists, and films created by artists drawing and painting on the film surface itself. Featuring animated, documentary, and homemade works.
Scholastic
Scholastic Instructor: Sun Sational Science
Discover more about the sun when you visit this educational resource. The content of this site includes solar fun facts, experiments, and activities.
Harvard University
Eyes on the Sky, Feet on the Ground: The Earth's Rotation
Plenty of cool activities about the Earth's rotation can be found here, such as tracing shadows, observing shadows during different times of the day, and tracking the sun's path in the sky to understand the rotation of the earth.
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies
Mocomi: What Is a Shadow?
Learn how shadows are formed and other interesting facts.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Making a Sun Clock
Learn how to use the sun to tell time. This simple activity reinforces the concepts of light and shadow, night and day, time, and geographical north vs. magnetic north.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Exploration of Shadows: Earth, Moon, Sun System: Moon Phases Eclipses
A guided inquiry where students participate in the simulation of moon phases and eclipses.
Project Britain
Primary Homework Help: Earth and Space Quiz
This resource provides information about Earth and space. In addition, there is a quiz provided.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: What Does the Sun Do?
After a discussion about what students think the Sun does, the class takes a walk outside to observe what it actually does do. They may notice things like shadows and reflections. Back in class, their ideas are shared and recorded.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Earth and Sun
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this flipchart, students will learn the relationship between the Earth and the Sun.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Night Light Video
Watch PEEP and Quack [8:49] have fun with shadows in the middle of the night using flashlights. They learn that shadows can grow and change shape by rotating the object. An additional hands-on activity is provided for learners along with...
Harvard University
Harvard Smithsonian: Everyday Classroom Tools
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.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Trb 3:1 Investigation 5 Making a Sundial
Make a sundial and learn how to use it.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Lab: Let the Sun Shine In
Students graph data reflecting time of day and length of shadow, and then draw conclusions about Earth's seasons and position in relation to the Sun.
University of California
At Home Astronomy: Hands on Science Experiments for the Entire Family
A collection of ten hands-on science experiments for the entire family that will help you understand concepts in astronomy. Make an astrolabe, find the size of the sun and moon, build a lunar settlement, find out about meteoroids, shadow...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: How High Is Big? Using an Astrolabe
Students observe and measure the shadows of fixed objects throughout the school year to learn about how the seasonal change affects the sun's position in the sky.
Harvard University
University of Harvard: This Is a Stickup!
Students are taught how to make a sundial. The relationship between angles and the sides of a right triangle are explored. Great lesson plan ideas with plenty of background information. The lesson is adapted for grade levels k-6 with...
Harvard University
Eyes on the Sky, Feet on the Ground: The Earth's Orbit
Students perform many inquiry activities related to Earth's orbit. Included are recording daily temperatures, observing the sun's path over several weeks, tracking sunrise and sunset times, and angle of sunlight. Diagrams make lessons...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Confluence Creations: Chaco Canyon Tour
Take a tour of the Chaco Canyon archaeological site. The map takes you to the many dwellings and important astronomical sites. Virtual tours are available if you have Quick Time.