K-3 Lesson 5:
Two weeks later, when the moon is in its full phase, it passes behind our planet, and can slide into the earth's shadow. This is called a lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipses can be both partial and total, just like solar eclipses. A total lunar eclipse has a much larger shadow because the earth is larger than the moon. Many more people on the earth can see a totally eclipsed moon, compared with a totally eclipsed sun.
Remind the students that it takes one whole month for the moon to go around the earth. During the month there is one time when there might be an eclipse of the moon (at full phase) and one time when there might be an eclipse of the sun (at new moon).
Students will demonstrate the revolution of the moon around the earth and the effect of its direct alignment in between the earth and the sun.
What causes an eclipse?
What does it mean if something is eclipsed?
Would all people on earth be able to see a solar eclipse when it occurs?
For a solar eclipse to occur, how must the earth, sun, and moon be positioned in relation to each other?
At what time (day or night) can a solar eclipse be observed?
What are safe ways to observe a solar eclipse?
What are some myths about the solar eclipse?
l lamp socket with plug- no shade
1 25-foot extension cord
1 40-watt clear lightbulb
For each student, 1 two-inch polystyrene ball or any ball painted with white latex or other water based paint.
- Read the story "Alguien esta comiendo el sol." Discuss what happens to the sun in the story. Introduce the word, eclipse.
- Tell the students they are going to do an experiment on what happens during an eclipse like in the story.
- Place the light in the center of the room.
- Have students make a large circle around the light source.
- Give each student a white ball and ask them, What does the ball represent? (moon) What does the light source represent? (sun) What does their head represent? (earth)
- Have the students extend the white ball in front of their heads and slowly move the ball to cover the sun. Be sure the students' distance from the sun or light source casts a dark shadow in the center and a grayish shadow on the edges.
- What did you see as you moved the "moon" in front of the "sun"?
- How can a smaller object like the ball cover the larger lightbulb?
- Do you think that everyone on the earth sees an eclipse when it happens? Why or why not?
Have students trace and cut out a large yellow circle and a black circle. Paste the yellow circle in the middle of a black piece of paper. Using a brass fastener attach the black circle so it can be moved showing the eclipse of the sun.
Video:
Have students create a video using the art activity.
Social Studies:
Discuss the story of Alguien esta comiendo el sol, deciding if it is true or fiction. Discuss other myths of solar eclipses.
Windows on Science, by Optical Data Primary Science 3.
Teacher's Guides:
"Earth, Moon and Stars, Great Explorations in Math and Science" (GEMS), Lawrence Hall of Science, 1989
"Invitations to Science Inquiries," by Tik L. Liem, Science Inquiry Enterprises, 1987
"El Sol, la luna, y las estrellas," by Jo Ellen Moore & Joy Evans, Evan-Moor Corp.,1992
Literature:
"The Sun and its Friends / El Sol y sus amigos," by "Como son...colleccion," (K-2), Laconi.
"Alguien esta comiendo el sol," by Ruth Sonneborn. Editorial Sigmart, Buenos Aires, 1974.