At least twice a year, a solar eclipse is visible somewhere on Earth. Once in awhile, your school community just might be located in or close to the viewable path of an eclipse. Tap into the excitement of these scientific events while still focusing on academics with one, two or a few of these solar eclipse classroom ideas.
Classroom Solar Eclipse Activities
Teach About it
Before the eclipse arrives, you may want to build student background knowledge. Many of them will not have seen or heard of a solar eclipse before. Take a day, or a few, to dive into the highly engaging topic!
Videos
Kickoff your solar eclipse learning with a video to provide an easy to understand visual for students.
Solar Eclipse from the Dr. Binocs Show
What is a Solar Eclipse? from NASA Space Place
Get Your Game On
NASA has created a free online game to help kids learn more about solar eclipses. What a fun station this could be leading up to the big day.
View It
If you are in the path of the eclipse, you might be excited to bring your class outside to view it. If you choose to view the eclipse outdoors, eye safety must come first! A couple of options available to keep your little learners safe are eclipse glasses or opting to view a live cam instead.
Glasses
Some organizations offer free eclipse glasses donations to schools. If free glasses are not available, check out this site.
For extra safety, add a paper plate around the glasses to be sure students will not peek!
Live Cams
If glasses are not available, or you choose to err on the side of caution, a live eclipse camera is your best bet. Here are some favorites:
Los Angeles Griffith Observatory
Classroom Solar Eclipse Activities
Even if your school is not in the path of totality of an upcoming solar eclipse, students will still love learning about this exciting phenomena. Our teacher team huddled up and created a hands-on, engaging Solar Eclipse pack that can be used for a classroom transformation day, or spread out throughout a week.
Morning Work
Start the day off peaceful and productive with this I Spy & graphing activity,
Anchor Chart & Teaching Slides
Launch your eclipse study by anchoring the main concepts. Print off this ready to go anchor char…..
…or create your own!
Then, let our ready to go teaching slides guide your lesson.
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Reading Activities
Pull eclipse activities into your reading block as well. Dig into the solar eclipse reading passage with a close reading exercise.
Then, map out your weekly phonics sound with a sun-themed spelling template.
Math Activities
Count down to totality with some out-of-this-world math activities!
1. Color by Number
Easily differentiate with color by number sheets focused on varied skills: subtraction, 2-digit subtraction, 3-digit subtraction and equal parts.
2. Partner Game
Light up station time with this sunshine themed partner game with a fraction focus.
Digital Choice Board
Filled with solar eclipse themed fun, this digital choice board is perfect for a tech station and/or a whole class option. If your district is in the path of totality and going virtual due to the influx of people, this choice board is a great e-learning option!
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Crafts
Who doesn’t love Science themed crafts? Check out these great options.
Eclipse Model: Using a brad fastener, students will create a moveable model of an eclipse.
Sun and Moon Model: A craft demonstrating what happens when the moon moves in front of the sun during a solar eclipse.
Make a Sun Print: Using sunlight and chosen objects, students can see the sun at work!
Directed Drawings: Students will soak in these sunshine themed step-by-step instructions.
3D Solar Eclipse Writing & Craft: Students write & create a 3D craft on all things eclipse
Solar Eclipse Crown: Why not make the day a full event?
Also, check out this cute idea from Books & Giggles.
Solar Snacks
No special school day is complete without something scrumptious.
To keep with the eclipse theme, try moon pies, sun chips and capri sun for a beverage.
Check out these amazing cupcakes that were shared in our Lucky 2nd Grade Facebook group!
