Lesson Plan
Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Getting Ready for the All American Eclipse!

For Teachers K - 12th
Give your pupils a front row seat at the biggest light show in the sky this year! In addition to admiring the total solar eclipse, young astronomers can explain the phenomenon with a little help from an inquiry-based lesson. The focus of...
Lesson Plan
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Aztec Calendar

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate the Aztec calendar. In this Aztec calendar lesson, students look at examples of Aztec calendars, both the solar and lunar calendars. They access web sites to further investigate the calendars before making a Aztec...
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...
Lesson Plan
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Chinese New Year

For Students Pre-K - 6th
Gong hei fat choy! Celebrate Chinese New Year with a variety of activities that introduce learners to the Chinese myth of the race that determined which animals earned their place the zodiac.
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Curated OER

Chinese Lanterns

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students research Chinese culture, the lunar calendar, and how the new year is celebrated in China. They research several different meaningful Chinese characters. Students paint animal figures and Chinese characters then cut and fold...
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Lunar Cycle

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students become familiar with repeating patterns in nature, namely the phases of the moon.
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Making Moths

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the Gregorian Calendar and its historical significance.For this calendar lesson students create a calendar design for an imaginary planet.
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Leap Year

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In this Leap Year reading comprehension worksheet, can learn about the various types of calendars (lunar, solar, etc.) and answer 7 multiple choice questions. Also included is a word search of key terms.
Lesson Plan
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Lowell Observatory Moon Clock

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students construct a paper moon clock to determine the moon's position. In this lunar position lesson plan, students use the provided printout to create a moon clock. They use the clock to determine the moon's position in the sky based...
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Science 4 Inquiry

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The moon takes just over 27 days to orbit around Earth. Young scientists position themselves as the earth as they rotate around the sun and hold the moon. This allows them to observe the patterns and phases of the moon.
Lesson Plan
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Moon Phases

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders understand that the visibility of the moon changes and that is called the moon phases. In this phases of the moon lesson, 2nd graders form a circle and create the phases. Students name the phase that matches their position...
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Chinese New Year

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students investigate the celebration of Chinese New Year. In this Chinese New Year lesson, students discuss their favorite holiday before listening to a read aloud about Chinese New Year. They make red envelopes that are filled with play...
Lesson Plan
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Moon Phase Bulletin Board Lesson Plan

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a poster board showing the phases of the moon. They use the Internet to research the different phases and examine the calendar. They discuss what patterns they notice occuring.
Lesson Plan
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Korean Holiday Calendar

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students engage in research in order to find the origin of a Korean holiday. They compare American holidays to the ones of Korea in order to find the true meanings of holidays in both cultures.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Night Sky: Fall/Winter

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how moon phases occur. They explain three ways that the night sky has been used through history. Students locate some of the constellations in the night sky. They discuss stories and myths surrounding stars.
Lesson Plan
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Sampling Rocks

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate rocks. In this earth science lesson plan, students collect rocks from the schoolyard and describe each of the rocks. Students measure and weigh each rock and record the results. Students create a rock guide for the...
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Participants are challenged to create several different sorting groups for the set of images.

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the influence of interaction with other cultures and the environment in relation to calendars. They also look at the origins of the calendar we use every day.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Night Sky: Summer

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
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Chinese New Year: Lai-See Envelopes Lesson Plan

For Teachers K
Students are introduced to the purpose behind the Chinese New Year celebration. As a class, they examine different traditions focusing on the Lai-See envelopes. After watching a PowerPoint presentation, they make their own envelopes...
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What Shape is the Moon Tonight?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars understand that the moon appears differently throughout the month. In this phases of the moon lesson, students observe and record the phases of the moon.
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Tet, the Vietnamese New Year

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students identify the similarities and differences between traditions in the Vietnamese New Year, TET, with the traditions of several holidays celebrated in America.
Lesson Plan
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Adapting to Seasonal Changes in the Environment

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss how plants and animals, including humans, adapt to climate and seasonal changes. They research the Colville people, and create dioramas that represent life during different seasons for Colville people.
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The Chinese Zodiac And The Western Zodiac

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create individual horoscopes that contrast and compare Western and Chinese views of their futures using poster boards and magic markers. In-class discussion is used to evaluate the use of the Zodiac in different cultures.
Lesson Plan
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How Do We Forecast Weather?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate how scientists collect weather data in order to forecast the weather. They work in small groups in order to research one type of weather technology such as, satellite images, radar, surface observations, or...