Download DE Science Elementary “5

DE Science Elementary
“5-Minute Prep” For
The Earth, Sun, and Moon
Moon
Eclipses
Eclipses – The Big Ideas
• Solar and lunar eclipses are created by the relative
positions of the sun, Earth, and moon.
• A solar eclipse takes place when the moon passes
directly between the sun and Earth and casts a shadow
on Earth.
• A lunar eclipse takes place when Earth passes directly
between the sun and the moon and casts a shadow on
the moon.
Eclipses – Prior Knowledge
Learning about eclipses is a complex topic and one on
which most young children will not have much background
knowledge. It will help the students to see images, video,
and if possible, participate in a hands on activity that will
help them understand more about eclipses. It will be
helpful for students to view the FUN-damental, Cycles in
the Sky. It would also help if they:
– Have seen an eclipse happening, or at least video or images of
one.
– Clearly understand the positions of the Earth, sun and moon.
Eclipses – Common Misconception
• It is dangerous to look at the sun during any eclipse.
– Reality: A solar eclipse is dangerous to view when any portion of
the sun’s light-emitting surface, called the photosphere, is visible to
the eye. However, during the totality segment of any total solar
eclipse, the moon’s greater apparent size hides the sun’s
photosphere completely, making it possible to safely view the
eclipse.
Eclipses – Using DE Science Content
When you close this presentation, you can review the
following recommended resources for Eclipses.
• Exploration: Eclipses
• Reading Passage: Where Did the Sun Go?
• eBook: So Predictable
Use the PowerPoint version of this presentation for
hyperlinks to these resources or you can get to them
through the browser or search feature.
Eclipses – Instructional Ideas
• Students can use the Exploration to investigate both lunar
and solar eclipses.
– First students will put the Earth, moon, and sun into the right
positions to make either a solar or lunar eclipse.
– Then, the students will see animation of what is happening on
Earth, and what is happening in space during an eclipse.
• Have students read the passage, Where Did the Sun Go?
– They will read about people in ancient China and India being afraid
of an eclipse.
– Ask the students to write a letter to the people in China or India
explaining what is happening when the sun disappears.
Eclipses – Instructional Ideas
• Before students read the eBook, So Predictable,
generate some things in their lives and in nature that are
predictable.
– Then, students can read the eBook about how predictable
eclipses can be when scientists study the Earth, sun, and moon.
– When they are finished reading, ask students to explain why
eclipses do not happen every year.
• Students can act out solar and lunar eclipses by role
playing and acting out positions in which an eclipse
would be possible.
State Standards:
If you wish to review your state standards regarding
Eclipses, click here to get to the curriculum standards
search feature of DES.
http://discoveryeducation.com/forward/curriculum.cfm
You can click on any standard to see what resources are
available to teach it.
Additional Information:
For additional content, check the Extend section within the
concept.