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,...
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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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Can an Astronaut on Mars Distinguish Earth from its Moon?
Young scholars explore the possibility of being on Mars and being able to identify the Earth. In this space lesson students complete a set of calculations to see if this is possible.
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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
Learners research the solar cycle. In this Science lesson, students use the internet to investigate the solar cycle. Learners produce a spreadsheet and graph from the information collected.
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Measuring the Speed of Light
High schoolers explore physics by completing measurement problems in class. In this speed of light lesson, students discuss the importance of knowing the speed of light and how it affects many aspects of human life on Earth. High...
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Six Insect Legs
Learners 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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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
Pupils 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...
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The Mathematical Dynamics of Celestial Navigation and Astronavigation
Students explore the different methods used in celestial Navigation and astronavigation. In this math lesson, students construct a sextant and demonstrate how it works.
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Sextant Measurements
Students create a sextant. Using their sextant, students measure the height of tall objects. Students explore how sailors used sextants to identify their location on the ocean. They research how sextants are created.
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Four Animal Legs at Sunset
First graders listen to the book, 1, 2, 3, To The Zoo, and focus on the one-to-one correspondence while counting the animals and other objects in the story. They create page number four in their number books.
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Nine in the Sky
First graders explore the day and night sky and complete a page for the number 9 for their counting book.
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Ten Fingers Ten Toes
First graders identify the number 10 by completing a page for a counting book. They add the page to the first nine pages.
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Two Owl Eyes
First graders listen to the story, Olivia Counts, and demonstrate counting to ten. They make predictions, and recognize the day and night sky. They add page number 2 to their counting books.