A solar eclipse is exciting and a great learning opportunity for your students. Here are 10 ideas for celebrating any solar eclipse in the classroom, whether it’s a total or partial solar eclipse, that will make the experience unforgettable!
Share Space-themed & Solar Eclipse-themed Snacks
A few easy examples might be Sun Chips, Milky Way Bars, Sunny D, Moon Pies (Walmart, Dollar Tree, Amazon), Starbursts, Space Balls- a type of puffed corn with several flavors (World Market), freeze dried items (like candy or ice cream), sometimes you can find gummy candies with a space theme (Called Moon Fruit at Safeway and Trolli Sour Gummy Creations-Martian Mix at Walmart), sunflower seeds (if you dare!;). Sun Maid Raisins. families can use sun, moon, or star-shaped cookie cutters to cut fruit and put on kebab stick, popcorn balls shaped like planets & dyed with food coloring (the perfect parent contribution), make Sun tea the day before, Lifesavers (Saturn’s rings), Mars Bars, Capri Sun drinks, Orbit Gum or Eclipse Gum (if you dare;), and orange segments can be half moons.
Create Editable Constellations
Use pretzel sticks and mini-marshmallows. Spend time early in the week studying some of the major constellations in the sky. Have students draw them out on paper and save for the next day when they’ll recreate the constellations with food items. (Should be easy clean up–YUM!!)
Play Space-themed Music to Celebrate the Solar Eclipse
Possibilities include: “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler, “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles, “Find a Place in the Sun” by Pablo Cruise, “Good Day Sunshine” by The Beatles, “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves, “Keep on the Sunny Side” by the Carter Family, “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder, “You Are My Sunshine” by Doris Day, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” by Elton John, “Sunshine on My Shoulders” by John Denver, “Seasons in the Sun” by Terry Jacks, and many more!
Learn Solar Eclipse Vocabulary
Introduce students to vocabulary related to solar eclipses, such as umbra, penumbra, totality, partial, and corona. They can create flashcards, play word games, or write sentences using these terms. Find a great no prep Solar Eclipse unit that’s differentiated and geared toward grades 5 and up. Includes loads of vocabulary activities, 2 color by code pages, and a solar eclipse reading passage.
Host an Eclipse Viewing Party
Set up a safe viewing area outside the classroom with proper eclipse viewing glasses or pinhole projectors. Students can observe the eclipse as it happens and discuss their observations (if you happen to be in the right place at the right time, that is!) If you’re not in the path of totality, here’s a live streaming site you can watch in class: https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/viewing
Create Eclipse Models
Have students create models of the solar system, focusing on the alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth during a solar eclipse. They can use various materials like clay, paper mache, or even digital tools to visualize this phenomenon. Or draw and label a diagram or diagrams of different phases of an eclipse.
Read Eclipse Myths and Legends
Explore cultural myths and legends surrounding eclipses from different societies around the world. Discuss how ancient civilizations interpreted these celestial events and what significance they held. This fascinating research is sure to hold your students’ attention before and after the solar eclipse!
Teach Eclipse Safety Lessons
There’s no time like before an eclipse to teach students about the importance of eye safety during a solar eclipse. Discuss why it’s crucial to use proper eye protection and how to safely view an eclipse using approved solar viewing glasses or other methods.
Create Eclipse Art
Encourage students to express their understanding of eclipses through art. They can create paintings, drawings, or digital art depicting the eclipse and its various stages. This might be the perfect activity to do while listening to the songs mentioned earlier and eating eclipse-related snacks. To inspire students, display or show diagrams of the eclipse. Talk about perspective and how to draw a picture showing depth.
Hold an Eclipse Documentary Screening
Watch a documentary about solar eclipses to provide students with more background information about the science behind these events and the history of eclipse observation. Here’s a link to a good clip that has a great image of the diamond ring effect and the solar corona.
Check out this short video that shows the path of totality of a total solar eclipse and the path of the partial eclipse for the April 2024 solar eclipse.
A solar eclipse is a great opportunity for celebrating while continuing the learning (and working on skill building). It’s also a fantastic opportunity for building connections with your students. Read this blog post on fun ways to build relationships with students that don’t require any major changes.
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