Fourth Grade

LESSONS

When the Sun Goes Dark

This narrative story helps bring the excitement of eclipses to the reader as they become part of the story about how multiple generations of a family explore this natural occurrence. The book includes investigations that are utilized in the lesson.

Day 1: Students engage with the topic using the story When the Sun Goes Dark, sharing their experiences with solar eclipses and discussing concepts like lunar phases and celestial alignments.

Day 2: Students participate in hands-on activities to explore how the Earth, Moon, and Sun's alignment impacts eclipses. They delve deeper into these concepts through models, observations, and discussions.

Day 3: Students revisit Day 1's questions, enhancing their understanding with gained models and experiences. They analyze celestial body positions across lunar phases and eclipses, linking observations to real-world phenomena.

Day 4: Students revisit initial questions, analyze celestial body positions, and discuss observations, demonstrating comprehension through discussions.

Model a solar eclipse

WHIP UP A MOON-LIKE CRATER

Eclipse party presentation

What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

ACTIVITIES

eclipse weather observing

Moon Phases

ECLIPSE PHENOMENON WITH QUESTION FORMULATION TECHNIQUE (QFT) SLIDE DECK (6-12)

Moon phases visualized- Where is the moon?

SOLAR ECLIPSE SAFETY ACTIVITY

DISTANCE, BRIGHTNESS, AND SIZE OF PLANETS

earth as a peppercorn: size and scale of the soalr system

PLANET SIZES AND ORDER

WAXING AND WANING: PHASES OF THE MOON AND ECLIPSES

DISCUSSION PROMPTS

(Before, During, & After the Eclipse)

Discussion: Before

How do you think animals might behave before a solar eclipse?
What do you expect to see during the eclipse?
What do you expect to hear during the eclipse?
What do you think you will feel during the eclipse?
What do you think the eclipse will look like?

discussion: during

What do you notice happening to the sky and the environment around us?
What do you see? Feel? Hear?
What are the animals around you doing?
What does the sky look like?
What does the temperature feel like?

discussion: after

How did your prediction about the eclipse compare to what you experienced?
What was something unexpected that you experienced during the eclipse?
What is something that you will remember about the eclipse?
What was your favorite part of the eclipse?
How did seeing the eclipse connect you with other things in your life?
Would you want to see another eclipse in the future?

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