Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observational Astronomy

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

What's Up?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students compare and contrast the various heavenly bodies found in the sky at night. They identify the moon and stars in the sky as well as how the stars form pictures called constellations. Students also experiment with reflection and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Up? Astronomy Curriculum

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners study astronomy. In preparation for a field trip to a planetarium, students discuss the stars, planets, and light. They explore the importance of the north star and constellations. The Digitarium system is used to assist the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astrology: Fact Or Fiction?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the concept of astrology and how it evolved from history. They use the Zodiac in order to find the location of constellations in the night sky. The differences between astrology and astronomy are compared and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do We Know?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the history of astronomy and how the study of constellations has evolved since the dawn of ancient civilization. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The teacher uses demonstrations to model how the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do We Know...?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and explain how various inventions and astronomers have improved our appreciation of the universe. Students identify at least two constellations in the sky and discuss how they were used in ancient times to tell time...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glowing Glimpses of Our Universe

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students will complete hands-on space activities. In this space science lesson, students will create a glow-in-the-dark model of the solar system, visit a planetarium, make star pictures, and paint constellations. Activities are meant to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heavens Above

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the stars and their positions.  In this astronomy lesson students see how scientists can predict the positions of the stars and can tell how they would have appeared in the past. 
Worksheet
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Mars Motion in 1971

For Students 9th - 10th
In this science worksheet, students read about the summer of 1971 when the Earth passed closer to Mars than it had since 1924. Students also learn about the retrograde motion of Mars as seen from Earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classifying Stars and Constellations

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine stars and constellations. In this space science instructional activity, students visit selected websites to discover information about the classification of stars. Students also practice identifying...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Constellations, a WebQuest Activity

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners explore space science by participating in a class WebQuest. In this constellation identification lesson, students view star charts based on the four seasons and identify the changes our sky goes through in the course of 12...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reach for the Stars

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders select Greek Mythological characters to research. They gather research and keep notes on Inspiration. Students are to answer the question, "Which mythological character do you feel is the most worthy of being a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Multicultural Sun, Moon, and Star Activities

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research the multicultural stories and artistic representations of the Sun, Moon, and stars. In this multicultural space lesson, students discuss the symbols and stories for the sun in various cultures. Students construct a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Using a Starfinder

For Students 5th
In this starfinder instructional activity, 5th graders construct a starfinder in order to determine which stars are in the night sky on a given date and time. Students use their starfinder to answer 9 questions about the stars and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Big Dipper Story Wheel

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students research a Canadian Indian Tale. In this constellation lesson, students hear the story "Never-Ending Bear Hunt" which describes the constellations from the Native American perspective. They create their own constellation wheel...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Starquest

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the history and cultural interpretation of a celestial body or constellation. They create technology based presentations of the information.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Observing The Sky

For Students 6th - 8th
In this space science worksheet, students find the words that are related to the observations made of constellations and other related puzzles.
Activity
Curated OER

Sky Observation Project

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this sky observation instructional activity, students make observations of the night sky and use their planisphere and star charts to help identify what they observe. They make observations and record what they see for 10-15 minutes....
Worksheet
Curated OER

Star Party

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this space worksheet, students identify and locate vocabulary terms related to the stars and space. There are 15 words located in the puzzle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galaxy Mapping

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students research the constellations and discuss their findings. Then they construct their own maps of the galaxy using paper, black paint, aluminum foil, etc. They make a 3-D map of their chosen constellation.
Organizer
Curated OER

What Are Galaxies and Constellations?

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this space worksheet, students write 1 main idea and 4 supporting details about what are galaxies and constellations. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
Lesson Plan
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California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Earth's Rotation

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
After completing the activity, "Kinesthetic Astronomy: The Meaning of a Year," zoom in on Earth's rotation using the same simulation setup and this outline. Each class member dons a map of the Western Hemisphere and plays the part of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding Out About the Stars and Planets

For Teachers K - 4th
Students complete a web-based activity to study the planets and solar system. Students complete a number of activities including a slide show that depict the true facts about planets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mystery Constellation

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students decipher two teacher chosen mystery constellations a month. They listen to stories, explain what they know about constellations and name the mystery constellation.