It’s here! Monday will be the big day as we have to wait another 7 years before we can catch a solar eclipse at 100% totality here across America. How awesome is it to see something like this? The science nerd in me just loves it! You may be wondering, “How can I explain this to my little learners?” Here are a few free solar eclipse activities you can do that will help your little learners understand how amazing this is!
Yes, this one right here that the wonderful McGraw-Hill has created is perfect for our little learners.
Acting out the event with your students is a great way to give them a hands-on experience. Grab a piece of yellow paper (sun) and a piece of black paper (moon). Have students grab a partner. One partner will be the sun and will remain in place. The second partner will be the moon by slowly moving across the sun’s path until it covers the sun and blocks it completely. You could also do this with a flashlight (sun) and a black piece of paper (moon). Simply hold the flashlight in place and have a child move the moon until it blocks the sun completely, leaving it’s shadow to cast on the earth and making it dark for a few minutes.
Have them write about what is happening and illustrate it! This is perfect for them to do after you have had a class discussion, watched the video, or acted it out! 
Grab this freebie HERE!
More than likely, this is going to peak their interest when it comes to the sun, moon, and stars even! To me, this is one of those things we take and run with! Let their interest drive the instruction. This is why your curriculum map is a living document–you move things around to best meet your students where they are! You can find these activities and MORE in my Sun, Moon, and Stars unit HERE.
What are your plans for the big day? Exploring at home with your own children or at school with your other children? I’d love to hear your ideas!
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One Response
Thank you!