Duration
of Activity:
45
minutes.
Student
Prerequisites:
This serves as the introduction to eclipses, with a focus
on solar eclipses. Basic background information on the orbits
of the Sun, Earth and Moon are needed. General information
on the Sun is also helpful.
Materials:
- Pencils
- Student
Science Journals
Books:
B.
Aronsons Natures Blackouts, Eclipses.
F.
Branleys Eclipse: Darkness in Daytime
(This book is currently out of print, but it is frequently
found in libraries. The language is very appropriate for younger
readers.)
Teacher
Preparation:
Allow
time to locate book and journals for student writing.
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Objectives:
Students
will understand that during a total solar eclipse:
- The
Moon blocks the Suns light from viewers on Earth.
- It
becomes dark during the day.
- The
Suns corona is visible.
- People
used to become frightened during a solar eclipse, but now
we understand what causes eclipses and astronomers can predict
them.
Grade
Level:
Grades 1-3
Procedure:
Reading and Questioning
- Using
a KWL Chart, investigate what students know about eclipses.
List items in the first column (What we Know).
- Ask
students if they have any questions about eclipses.
- You
may want to model how to ask questions for your students.
A list of question words (who, what, when, where, why, how)
is a helpful language prompt in the classroom. List 3 or
4 questions in the second column (What we Want to
Know).
- Introduce
the topic of eclipses by reading Aronsons Natures
Blackouts, Eclipses or F. Branleys Eclipse:
Darkness in Daytime.
- Ask
students to raise hands if they hear an important vocabulary
word to add to the "Science Word Wall" in the
class. New vocabulary may include items such as: eclipse,
solar corona, shadow, and telescope.
- Review
the questions students generated and ask if anyone can answer
any of the questions after the reading. Place students
answers in the last column of the KWL chart (What we have
Learned).
- Ask
if there are any new questions. Add them to the chart and
encourage students to look for answers in their reading
and discussions.
Writing
- Ask
students to make entries in their Science Journals using
the following three prompts:
- What
did you study today?
- What
are some new things you learned today?
- What
questions do you have about what you learned?
Assessment:
The
journal entries will give a good indication of what students
have learned about eclipses and questions they have about
the topic.
Bibliography:
See
related books and websites.
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