Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phase In, Phase Out, the Magnificent Moon

For Teachers 1st
First graders discuss why the moon appears to change shape. They use flashlights and balls to simulate the sun's light shining on the moon during its different phases. They read books, paint pictures and write sentences about the moon.
Interactive
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A - specific: referring to one in particular

For Students 4th - 8th
In this specific or unspecific worksheet, students read the sentences and decide if the sentence is describing something specific or unspecific. Students complete 7 problems.
Lesson Plan
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The Earth's Rotation

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students see a model of a globe to watch the Earth rotate. In this Earth lesson plan, students rotate the globe and shine a flashlight to see where the sun shines and how it rises and sets. They create a diagram and explain day and night...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Jason and the Argonauts

For Students 1st - 3rd
In this making words worksheet, students make words from the letters in the word "argonauts". Students make as many words as they can, and are given 14 clues to words.
Lesson Plan
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Satellite Images- Night Time

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the geography and population distribution of various places on earth. They utilize actual satellite images of the night sky (lights showing heavily around area of dense population) to study and make observations...
Organizer
Curated OER

What Are Stars Like?

For Students 4th - 8th
In this stars worksheet, students write in 1 main idea and 3 supporting details that describe stars. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
Organizer
Curated OER

What is a Star?

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this star worksheet, students will brainstorm 3 facts about stars and then come to 1 conclusion about what is a star. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
Lesson Plan
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Luisa's Steller Evolution Lab

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Learners examine stars and constellations in the night sky. They complete a KWL chart and calculate the mass of stars. They also discuss how a star is formed.
Lesson Plan
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Star Quest

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students engage in a lesson plan of using maps in order to find constellations in the night sky. They also conduct research using three constellations. The research is used to create a project to inform others. The teacher also leads the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In the Path of the Ancients: Unearthing Formulas for Area

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers apply the formulas for the area of parallelograms and triangles. Through guided practice, students discover the correct way to apply the formulas. Working in pairs, they write their own problems featuring the formulas.
Lesson Plan
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Determining the Altitude of Iridium Flares

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine what iridium flares are and when they occur.  In this iridium flare lesson students complete an activity to see how far overhead Iridium satellites are.
Lesson Plan
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Lunar Lollipops

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students simulate the phases of the moon using a lamp and styrofoam balls. In this lunar phases instructional activity, students stand around a lamp and act as Earth. They hold styrofoam balls and rotate to show the phases of the moon.
Lesson Plan
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The Undefined Terms of Geometry

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders define terminologies related to geometry. In this geometry lesson plan, 10th graders discuss undefined terms, line segment and ray. They answer the question, how many points it takes to make a line.
Lesson Plan
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Lunar Cycle

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students recognize that the eight phases of the moon repeat. In this lunar cycle lesson, students experiment to understand the phases of the moon. Students make observations and complete a "the Moon I See" worksheet.  Students...
Worksheet
Curated OER

What is Retrograde Motion

For Students 8th - 10th
For this retrograde motion worksheet, students draw a diagram of the night sky by connecting dots to show retrograde motion. They compare retrograde motion to an optical illusion and answer questions about both.
Lesson Plan
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Observational Astronomy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research about the characteristics of celestial bodies using a database. In this space science lesson plan, students collect data such as brightness, apparent color and size by observing the night sky. They share their findings...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

As the Earth Turns

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore why the sun and moon seems to disappear and reappear creating day and night.
Organizer
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Ranger Rick's Observing Night Lights

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this Ranger Rick's observing night lights worksheet, students observe and record the lights in their neighborhood at night and the effect on the environment.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomy Unit: For Autistic Learners

For Students 1st - 6th
In need of a few great ways to teach an arts-enriched lesson on astronomy? This resource contains several interesting ideas that link poetry to the stars in the sky. These suggestions are very simple and could use a teachers touch, but...
Lesson Plan
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Ancient Sun Models of the World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explain that many different cultures across the world developed their own reasoning for the weather around them. They explore the different cultural beliefs of the sun's cycle and to create their own story of the sun's movement.
Lesson Plan
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What's Your Sign? The Science Behind The Zodiac

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the concepts dealing with the motions of celestial objects, the ancient origins of the Zodiac and the science behind the Zodiac.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Interstellar Medium

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Learners investigate the Interstellar Medium and the Local Bubble that the Sun is inside. They read and discuss a handout, answer discussion questions, observe a demonstration of light scattering, and conduct an experiment on the...
Lesson Plan
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Flying Through the Solar System

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a model of the solar system out of candy. They write a book about their travels through the Solar System, beginning at age ten and reaching Pluto at age seventy.
Lesson Plan
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The Celestial Sphere and Circumpolar Motion

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Learners investigate the celestial sphere and circumpolar motion. In this science lesson, students view an applet, The Celestial Sphere and Circumpolar Motion. Learners discuss the Earth's rotation and stellar movement.