Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring the Sun's Diameter

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students project and measure the suns image using a refracting telescope.  In this sun's diameter lesson students calculate the magnification of the telescope and determine the diameter if the Sun. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the relationship between the Earth and the Sun. They define key vocabulary terms, and in small groups conduct Internet research, exploring a variety of websites. Students answer comprehension questions, and...
Interactive
PHET

Gravity And Orbits

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Have you ever wanted to turn off gravity? This simulation allows learners to do just that in addition to altering other variables. Scholars can move the sun, Earth, moon, and space station to see how distance affects gravitational pull....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth, Sun Mood and Stars Unit (Planets too!)

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders prepare five activities to do then show their energy saving skills.  In this investigative lesson plan students create five projects then participate in an energy saving demonstration. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth and Beyond!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate one or more of the following topics and develop a plan for the future regarding it: global warming, lunar exploration, space travel, Mars exploration, or terraforming. They disucss the audio files and the video that...
Worksheet
Curated OER

A Lunar Transit of the Sun from Space

For Students Higher Ed
In this moon worksheet, students determine the angular size of the moon and draw a scaled model of the Earth, moon, and sun and given distances and positions. This worksheet has 4 problems to solve.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Moon Phases

For Students 5th - 8th
For this moon worksheet, students fill in the different phases on the moon on a diagram and label each phase. Students compare a solar and lunar eclipse. This worksheet has 2 fill in the blank and 3 short answer questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Earth, Moon and Sun Assessment Test

For Students 4th - 5th
In this space science activity, students answer 14 essay questions pertaining to the Earth, moon, and sun and their relationship. Prior knowledge is assumed, or this could be a pre-test.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

3rd Rock from the Sun's Baby Rock

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders have a chance to actively see each phase of the moon and make connections to what they see in the sky when you show how the moon goes through each of the phases.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

May Earth be Revolving around the Sun?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore how Aristarchus used the position of the half-full Moon to estimate the distance to the Sun, and how he made a great error, but still figured out that the Sun is much larger than Earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders observe the changes in the moon's appearance over a two week period of time from their homes. They record and illustrate their observations and also complete daytime moon viewings as a class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun too close? We'll just change Earth's orbit

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study an article and discuss what would happen if the Earth's orbit changed.  In this Earth's orbit lesson plan students answer a list of questions and complete an activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wax On, Wane Off! the Different Views of the Moon

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students create a three-dimensional model of the Earth and Moon to show the different phases of the moon as they appear on Earth. In small groups, they draw a diagram for a phase, set up the model in the drawn positions then test it with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moons

For Teachers K
Students practice rote counting to 20. After a lecture about the planets and the moons that surround them, they identify the number of moons surrounding various planets. Students compare and contrast the quantity of moons surrounding...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon Watch

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read books about the moon and discuss its perceived changes as it moves across the sky. They observe the moon over the course of a month and chart their observations. They discuss their observations and conduct further...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth/Globe (poles & equator)

For Teachers 1st
First graders create his/her own paper mache earth and label the poles and equator. The land masses can be added and labeling of specific bodies of water. The paper mache earth can then be used to discuss the sun, moon, and the earth and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon Journal

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students review the planets and major moons in the Solar System. In groups, they research and describe the various phases of the moon. They record their observations of the moon phases over a specific period of time and use the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Exploration of the Moon

For Students 9th - 12th
For this moon worksheet, students review the Clementine exploration of the Earth's moon. This worksheet has 8 matching and 14 true or false questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charting the Moon

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders observe changes in the moon's appearance over a month and keep records of their observations. They write a plan for recording what they see, and a paragraph reflecting on what they have learned over the course of the month.
App
1
1
Vosonos

Interactive Minds: Solar System

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Travel through space as you learn about the galaxy, solar system, planets, and much more. An extensive resource for studying astronomy in upper-elementary and middle school classrooms.
Activity
NASA

When Do Lunar Eclipses Happen?

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Who needs the daylight to simulate a lunar eclipse? Astronomers model the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon to explain the necessary conditions for a lunar eclipse. Investigators cut and label a paper plate to represent the Earth and...
eBook
Utah Education Network (UEN)

Utah Open Textbook: 3rd Grade Science

For Students 3rd Standards
How do we interact with Earth? Scholars learn about the sun, Earth, moon, forces, gravity, and heat sources by reading a text and performing hands-on demonstrations. They also differentiate between living and non-living things using...
App
Q Continuum

Planets

For Students K - 12th
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what constellation you were seeing or whether that bright object was a star or a planet? Are you searching for the best tilt-to-view constellation and planet app that money can't buy?...
Interactive
PBS

NASA's Eyes on the 2017 Eclipse

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
How did the 2017 eclipse look in Los Angeles—or Chicago? Experience both views, plus many more, using a lesson from PBS's Space series for middle schoolers. Scholars follow the movements of the sun, moon, and Earth during the most recent...

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