In this astronomy activity, students draw the shape of the moon as it appears in the sky each night for three weeks. With their drawings they include the moon phase and any unusual characteristics they observe.

Five multiple choice questions are provided in the handout about the phases of the moon. A digaram is included to help astronomy learners answer the questions. The diagram is meant to represent the appearance of the moon from the...

Learners investigate the different types of sundials and their history.  In this shadows and time of day lesson plan students build their own sundials. 

Learners study how the sun is at the center of the solar system.  In this solar lesson students measure the altitude of the sun and its size.

Learners practice measuring elevation, one of the key coordinates used by astronomers. They describe how the elevation of an object is measured. and combine compass directions and elevation to find celestial objects.

Young scholars investigate how to tell time by observing the placement of objects in the sky. Researching on the Internet, they locate the time for sunrise and sunset, the time the full moon rises, and the difference between clock and...

Students explore the major constellations. After reviewing the Earth's basic motions and their significance, students discuss the moon's orbit and revolutions. Using a Digitarium Alpha portable planetarium projector, they observe at...

Pupils use online websites to inquire about the cycle of day and night. In this web based lesson, students are able to see the movement of the sun and Earth. Pupils can look at different parts of the Earth as if they were on the Sun or...

Students write Sun and Moon poetry. In this poetry instructional activity, students research the sun and the moon.  They write poetry and create two class baskets for descriptive words about each.

Students study the nature of a satellite's orbit around the Earth.

Fourth graders predict constellations each month. In this astronomy lesson, 4th graders are presented with two constellations every month, and guess what they are as clues are given.

Students are introduced to the apparent motion of the Sun across the sky and the way it changes in summer and winter.

Students observe the daily motions of the sun and relate them to the functions of a sundial. They determine the locations of sunrises and sunsets and determine how the elevation of the sun effects temperature.

Students use the Internet to discover the wonderful world of comets and meteor showers. They discover how to spot one and predict them using a calendar. They also examine the makeup of meteoroids and meteorites.

Learners investigate the Law of Reflection and how light travels.  For this reflection lesson students produce data from their experiment then create a pencil tracing.

Students measure angles of refraction as the light travels through gelatin.  In this experimental lesson students complete a refraction lab and plot their data.

The purpose of this unit is for young scholars to make the rich set of connections between astronomy and the rest of science and technology, language arts, cultural studies (social studies), math, art, and music.

Students illustrate a First Nations' legend.  In this legend of bears lesson, students read several legends which involve bears and groups of stars or constellations. After reading, students illustrate portions of the stories....

Students study modern astronomy and technology.  In this telescope lesson students design and build a refracting telescope then redesign for better performance.

Students discuss a video about drug and alcohol abuse and their connection to risk-taking. They answer questions on a risk factor sheet about the use of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol. They discuss long and short term goals and how not...

Pupils recognize the daily motion of the Sun across the sky, defining the main directions of east, west, south and north. They see how the first calendars were based on changes in the Sun's noontime elevation, and on locations of sunrise...

Students examine how satellite signals are sent and duplicate it with a mirror, flashlight and black paper.

Students examine how to apply conservation of energy and properties of matter to a spectroscope.  In this energy lesson plan students build their own spectroscope and observe three kinds of spectra.