Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Getting Ready for the All American Eclipse!
Give your pupils a front row seat at the biggest light show in the sky this year! In addition to admiring the total solar eclipse, young astronomers can explain the phenomenon with a little help from an inquiry-based lesson. The focus of...
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Clip the Face
Young scholars discover the moon's phases and the rarity of eclipses. In this lunar lesson, students view a video titled Spin Around the Solar System: A Moon Dance, which demonstrates the key differences between a lunar and solar...
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Aztec Calendar
Students investigate the Aztec calendar. In this Aztec calendar lesson, students look at examples of Aztec calendars, both the solar and lunar calendars. They access web sites to further investigate the calendars before making a Aztec...
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Tantalizing Tangrams
Students create puzzles of animals based on the 12-animals cycle of the Lunar Calendar. They use logical or spatial relationship skills. Students comprehend the mathematical term geometry. They research the history, beliefs of the...
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Wax On, Wane Off
Students explore the Earth's only natural sattelite, the moon. They view a demonstration using tennis balls of the waxing crescent moon, waxing gibbous moon and a lunar eclipse.
ReadWriteThink
The Chinese New Year Starts Today
As part of a celebration of Chinese New Year, class members research the Chinese zodiac and examine the description of the personality attributes associated with the animal of their birth year. Individuals then craft a persuasive essay...
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The Calendar
Students engage in an overview of solar and lunar calendars, their history and lore. Also, of the day and the month, and their relations to the rotation period of the Earth and the orbital period of the Moon.
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The Lunar Calendar
Students examine the Chinese calendar and Zodiac signs in this early elementary instructional activity on calendars and culture. Discussions on cultural beliefs and values are emphasized and could be controversial.
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Birthday Moons
Students examine the lunar phases by locating and graphing the Moon phase of their own birthdays. They listen to and discuss lunar myths and create their own Birthday Moon Stories.
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Moon Phases
Students 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...
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Leap Year
In this Leap Year reading comprehension worksheet, can learn about the various types of calendars (lunar, solar, etc.) and answer 7 multiple choice questions. Also included is a word search of key terms.
Science 4 Inquiry
Phases of the Moon
The moon takes just over 27 days to orbit around Earth. Young scientists position themselves as the earth as they rotate around the sun and hold the moon. This allows them to observe the patterns and phases of the moon.
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Lowell Observatory Moon Clock
Students construct a paper moon clock to determine the moon's position. In this lunar position lesson, students use the provided printout to create a moon clock. They use the clock to determine the moon's position in the sky based on its...
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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.
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Phase In, Phase Out, the Magnificent Moon
First graders discuss why the moon appears to change shape. They use flashlights and balls to simulate the sun's light shining on the moon during its different phases. They read books, paint pictures and write sentences about the moon.
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Phases of the Moon: Cooperative Learning
Third graders examine the phases of the moon. In this moon phase lesson, 3rd graders listen to a read aloud of The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley and discuss the phases of the moon. They complete a moon phase calendar and...
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Moon Phases
Second graders understand that the visibility of the moon changes and that is called the moon phases. In this phases of the moon lesson, 2nd graders form a circle and create the phases. Students name the phase that matches their position...
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Chinese New Year
Students investigate the celebration of Chinese New Year. In this Chinese New Year lesson, students discuss their favorite holiday before listening to a read aloud about Chinese New Year. They make red envelopes that are filled with play...
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Moon Phase Bulletin Board Lesson Plan
Students create a poster board showing the phases of the moon. They use the Internet to research the different phases and examine the calendar. They discuss what patterns they notice occuring.
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Exploring the Night Sky: Summer
Young scholars 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...
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Exploring the Spirit of Islam, Ramadan, and the Hajj
Ninth graders explore the different ways people celebrate their religions. In this Religion lesson, 9th graders examine the basics of Islam. Students create a handout on a specific topic about Islam.
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Participants are challenged to create several different sorting groups for the set of images.
Students examine the influence of interaction with other cultures and the environment in relation to calendars. They also look at the origins of the calendar we use every day.
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Making Moths
Students study the Gregorian Calendar and its historical significance.In this calendar activity students create a calendar design for an imaginary planet.
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Modeling Moon Phases
Students identify the phases of the Moon and the synchronous rotation. In this hands on activity students will create a model of the Moon.