Lesson Ideas

Eclipse

Want to watch the sun disappear? It's no magic trick—it's a total solar eclipse! This rare and spectacular phenomenon is just one type of eclipse caused by Earth's cosmic dance with the moon and the sun. At certain points in the moon's orbit, it blocks our view of the sun, resulting in a solar eclipse. And when Earth gets between the sun and the moon, our shadow crosses the moon, resulting in a lunar eclipse. But why are eclipses so rare? Tim and Moby have the answer. They'll also explain the difference between partial and total eclipses; what an umbra is; why the path of totality is the place to be; and how to observe a solar eclipse safely. Don't let this movie pass you by—click "play" and prepare to be illuminated!

Solar System Game Lesson Plan: Build and Learn

In this lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades 3-8, students use BrainPOP resources to define a celestial body and explain how objects orbit and rotate. Students then use online gaming tools to create a replica of our solar system. This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »

Eclipse Lesson Plan: Make a Pinhole Camera

In this lesson plan, adaptable for grades 3-8, students explore BrainPOP resources to learn about what an eclipse is and what causes them.  Then they’ll make their own pinhole cameras (activity adapted from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory) so that they can view a solar eclipse safely.     This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »

Phases of the Moon Lesson Plan: Position of the Planets

In this multi-day lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades 3-8, students use BrainPOP resources to demonstrate and identify the position of the earth, moon, and sun for each phase of the moon. Students will also explain why there are phases of the moon and describe basic characteristics of the moon. See more »

Solar System Lesson Plan: Create a Glog

In this lesson plan which is adaptable for grades 3-12, students use BrainPOP and other resources to research a topic related to the solar system. Students then work collaboratively to create a glog that conveys key points about their solar system topic. This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »
Comments

2 comments
  1. Shauna Clark said:

    I love the lesson plan ideas for the Eclipse and it allows for students to make their own pinhole camera.

  2. Laura Werner said:

    I love the lesson ideas on Eclipse. Since my school is in the Path of Totality for the upcoming solar eclipse, we are pumped to present lessons to our students to help them understand this once in a lifetime event. I plan on showing my students the video on Eclipse, and having them create a Make-a-Map to organize what they have learned leading up to the eclipse.