Details
Pages
17 Pages
Subject
ELA, Science, Earth Science
Languages
English
Product
Digital
Grade
6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Resource Type
Activities, Curriculum, Fun
Standard
Common Core English Language Arts Standards, Next Generation Science Standards
Description
Get your students excited about this April 8th 2024's total solar eclipse with these two engaging solar eclipse activities for science and English middle and high school classrooms. This activity is meant for teachers who are looking for a skills-based lesson that will engage their students to fully direct their learning. I am an English teacher who loves science so these activities are equally meant for your Science classrooms as they are for your English classrooms. This activity will inspire your students to want to take part in the April 8th 2024 total solar eclipse and they will practice research skills and interpreting data skills along the way.
For the first activity, students direct their learning with a search and study activity. Students are provided with 11 research questions that will guide them to learn about the science and history of solar eclipses. Students learn about the different types of solar eclipses, why they occur, the frequency and location that solar eclipses occur, and much more. Students also have fun exploring some of the myths associated with solar eclipses from cultures around the world. The research questions also provide students with an opportunity to compare the upcoming April 8th, 2024 total solar eclipse with other solar eclipses that have occurred in North America in past years. Students review diagrams where they track the path of totality of two solar eclipses and are provided diagrams and short video clips that keep them engaged while they further their learning. Throughout their research process students learn the importance of crediting their sources by adding their weblinks to each of their research responses. Students who may struggle with research tasks are provided with supportive research links to get them started. What you will love about this activity is that students become very focused on the research process and this means a highly engaged and quiet classroom environment. ;)
For the second activity, students are provided with data about each American state's most recent total solar eclipse as well as their projected future total solar eclipses. Students practice analyzing data and making inferences with 5 reflective questions about the data they are provided. Students enjoy this part of the activity because the questions get students to make connections to their own lives as they track the solar eclipse data of their state and determine if they will be able to see the upcoming April 8th total solar eclipse from where they live. Students also have the opportunity to think critically as they find patterns and commonalities among numerous states and make inferences about those commonalities. This is a great activity to give to your students if you want them to practice the skill of analyzing scientific data in a fun and meaningful way.
Considering this activity for Elementary students? This activity was designed with a middle and/or high school classroom in mind, however, if you are considering this activity for an elementary classroom; you can break students up into groups and have each group work on 1-2 research questions only (instead of each student doing the entire activity on their own). This allows younger students to access these activities but in a way that is more suitable to their learning needs.
After students finish each activity, I love having my students share their learning. They take pride in what they learn and enjoy sharing their new understanding with the class. These activities make for great small-group and whole-class discussions.
During these two activities, your students will practice the following skills of:
-Conducting research
-Citing sources
-Comparing and contrasting data
-Analyzing data and making inferences
-Analyzing evidence
-Paraphrasing information
Your students will have an understanding of the following after completing these two activities:
-The different types of solar eclipses
-What the umbra and penumbra are
-Solar eclipse totality and the path of totality
-The impact of the solar eclipse on nature and wildlife
-Cultural myths about the solar eclipse
-Safety measures regarding viewing solar eclipses
-How solar eclipses have impacted their state
-An understanding of how the April 8th, 2024 total solar eclipse will impact their lives :)
Digital Resource: These activities were created on Google Docs. and are compatible with Google Classroom. Due to the research and embedded links, this activity can only be done digitally.
Includes grading rubric and teacher key to support you as well as additional video clips to further your students' understanding.
Pacing: This activity will take 1-2 hours to complete, depending on your classroom.
SUB PLANS IN A PINCH! These activities were thoughtfully designed and would be great sub plans if you need subplans this month. Because the activities are self-directed, this is a reliable sub plan that will take your students an entire class period to complete.
For the first activity, students direct their learning with a search and study activity. Students are provided with 11 research questions that will guide them to learn about the science and history of solar eclipses. Students learn about the different types of solar eclipses, why they occur, the frequency and location that solar eclipses occur, and much more. Students also have fun exploring some of the myths associated with solar eclipses from cultures around the world. The research questions also provide students with an opportunity to compare the upcoming April 8th, 2024 total solar eclipse with other solar eclipses that have occurred in North America in past years. Students review diagrams where they track the path of totality of two solar eclipses and are provided diagrams and short video clips that keep them engaged while they further their learning. Throughout their research process students learn the importance of crediting their sources by adding their weblinks to each of their research responses. Students who may struggle with research tasks are provided with supportive research links to get them started. What you will love about this activity is that students become very focused on the research process and this means a highly engaged and quiet classroom environment. ;)
For the second activity, students are provided with data about each American state's most recent total solar eclipse as well as their projected future total solar eclipses. Students practice analyzing data and making inferences with 5 reflective questions about the data they are provided. Students enjoy this part of the activity because the questions get students to make connections to their own lives as they track the solar eclipse data of their state and determine if they will be able to see the upcoming April 8th total solar eclipse from where they live. Students also have the opportunity to think critically as they find patterns and commonalities among numerous states and make inferences about those commonalities. This is a great activity to give to your students if you want them to practice the skill of analyzing scientific data in a fun and meaningful way.
Considering this activity for Elementary students? This activity was designed with a middle and/or high school classroom in mind, however, if you are considering this activity for an elementary classroom; you can break students up into groups and have each group work on 1-2 research questions only (instead of each student doing the entire activity on their own). This allows younger students to access these activities but in a way that is more suitable to their learning needs.
After students finish each activity, I love having my students share their learning. They take pride in what they learn and enjoy sharing their new understanding with the class. These activities make for great small-group and whole-class discussions.
During these two activities, your students will practice the following skills of:
-Conducting research
-Citing sources
-Comparing and contrasting data
-Analyzing data and making inferences
-Analyzing evidence
-Paraphrasing information
Your students will have an understanding of the following after completing these two activities:
-The different types of solar eclipses
-What the umbra and penumbra are
-Solar eclipse totality and the path of totality
-The impact of the solar eclipse on nature and wildlife
-Cultural myths about the solar eclipse
-Safety measures regarding viewing solar eclipses
-How solar eclipses have impacted their state
-An understanding of how the April 8th, 2024 total solar eclipse will impact their lives :)
Digital Resource: These activities were created on Google Docs. and are compatible with Google Classroom. Due to the research and embedded links, this activity can only be done digitally.
Includes grading rubric and teacher key to support you as well as additional video clips to further your students' understanding.
Pacing: This activity will take 1-2 hours to complete, depending on your classroom.
SUB PLANS IN A PINCH! These activities were thoughtfully designed and would be great sub plans if you need subplans this month. Because the activities are self-directed, this is a reliable sub plan that will take your students an entire class period to complete.
Get your students excited about this April 8th 2024's total solar eclipse with these two engaging solar eclipse activities for science and English middle and high school classrooms. This activity is meant for teachers who are looking for a skills-based... more
5.0 (1) | @on-the-go-english-teacher