EngageNY
The Motion of the Moon, Sun, and Stars—Motivating Mathematics
What does math have to do with the behavior of the earth and sun? Learn how the movement of celestial bodies has influenced the development of trigonometry. Scholars connects the details in mathematics to their real-world meaning.
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The North (Wall) Star
Students engage in a lesson which shows them that celestial navigation is the art and science of finding one's geographic position by means of astronomical observations, particularly by measuring altitudes of celestial objects - sun,...
NASA
Star Brightness
In this brightness of stars worksheet, high schoolers answer 7 questions about the apparent magnitudes of stars, the sun, and the moon. They compare the brightness of stars, galaxies, astronomical objects and the sun.
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How Big Are Earth, Sun, and Moon?
Third graders draw what they believe is in space on a dry erase board. In groups, they are given a beaker half filled with water and they add a teaspoon of oil, observing the different layers that form. To end the lesson, they identify...
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Scale Activities
How do you put something as large as the universe in perspective? Use a series of scale experiments. Classmates collaborate around four experiments to examine the scale of the earth-moon system, our solar system, the Milky Way galaxy,...
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Can an Astronaut on Mars Distinguish Earth from its Moon?
Students explore the possibility of being on Mars and being able to identify the Earth. In this space lesson plan students complete a set of calculations to see if this is possible.
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Why do Stars Rise in the East?
In this stars rise in the east instructional activity, students use geometry to show how the Earth rotates from west to east and why celestial bodies appear to rise in the east and set in the west. Students draw a figure and label given...
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One Sun, One Moon
First graders read "Ten Black Dots" by Donald Crews and then create their own counting books focusing on the number 1 (one) and using yellow dots to represent the sun, moon and stars.
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Earth is Round?
Third graders discuss how Aristotle concluded that the Earth was round. As a class, they review theories about the Earth's shape and describe how life on Earth would be different if it were flat. Individually, they make a moon book in...
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Moons
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...
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As the Earth Turns
First graders explore why the sun and moon seems to disappear and reappear creating day and night.
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The Night Sky
Third graders develop questions they have about the solar system. After being read a book, they view and discuss different constellations in the sky. In groups, they are given a piece of butcher paper and glow in the dark crayons in...
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Our Sky Clock
Students explore space science by completing a worksheet in class. In this astronomy lesson, students discuss and identify star patterns in the night sky and relate these patterns to the approximate time they appear. Students complete an...
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The Solar Cycle
Students research the solar cycle. In this Science lesson, students use the internet to investigate the solar cycle. Students produce a spreadsheet and graph from the information collected.
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Measuring the Speed of Light
Students explore physics by completing measurement problems in class. In this speed of light lesson plan, students discuss the importance of knowing the speed of light and how it affects many aspects of human life on Earth. Students...
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Six Insect Legs
Pupils observe and discuss the sun's position in the sky. They explore the number six, read various number books, and create the number six page for a counting book.
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Eight Stars in the Night Sky
First graders explore the day and night sky. They complete a number 8 page for their counting books.
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Three Bears and Three Goats in the Morning Sun
First graders listen to the story Three Bears from the book, Three Tales of Three, focusing on the one-to-one correspondence while counting various items in the story. They create pages for the number 3 for their counting books.
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Kepler-The Hunt for Earth-like Planets
In this hunt for planets worksheet, students read about the Kepler satellite used to detect exoplanets. Students solve 6 problems including drawing a sun disk and determining the scale in kilometers/millimeter, finding the area of the...
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Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow--Measurements of Time
In this measurement of time worksheet, students read a short article and then look at 12 pictures and draw a line from each one to either the sun or the moon. Students distinguish whether each picture is happening in the day or in the...
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Time Intervals
For this time intervals worksheet, students solve 8 problems where they determine the time gamma-ray bursts last, the time black hole micro-flares are emitted, the time coronal mass ejections travel and the days between lunar phases of...
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Five Fingers for Eating Lunch
First graders listen to the book, The M&M's Brand Counting Book, discuss the one-to-one correspondence and count the candies in the story. They focus on the number five, and listen to the story Sun Up, Sun Down, discussing the...
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Exploring the Sky: Reading Maria's Comet
Discover the science behind astronomy. After reading the book Maria's Comet, which is about a young woman who breaks new ground by becoming a female astronomer, young learners practice reading comprehension with worksheet questions about...
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Winter Lights: A Season In Poems & Quilts
Students read the book Winter Lights: A Season in Poems & Quilts and do language arts and math activities that go with the book. In this language arts and math lesson plan, students read the book given and do activities that include...