🌑 10+ solar eclipse resources for class

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💡 THE BIG IDEA 💡

Are you ready for the April 8th solar eclipse?

🌑 Get your class excited about the upcoming solar eclipse! 

This is a fantastic opportunity to engage students in a real-world science phenomenon.

We've curated a collection of incredible resources from educators like Lisa Highfill, design tools from Canva, and educational content from NASA, PBS LearningMedia, and The Achievery.

These resources — and the resources inside these resources — will help you bring the excitement of the eclipse to life in your classroom.

• Solar Eclipse Explore Board from Lisa Highfill — This explore board is the perfect way to get your students geared up for this exciting event. It’s filled with links to activities, resources, videos, images and more.

• The Great North American Eclipse Book Creator Book by Lisa Highfill — Prepare for the solar eclipse April 8, 2024 with this HyperDoc lesson. Students have the opportunity to explore concepts, then create a Book Creator book showcasing what they've learned.

• The Eclipse Explorer Guide from Canva in collaboration with NASA — Welcome to our three-part course on eclipses, in collaboration with NASA! We'll be exploring the fascinating world of eclipses--what they are, why they happen, and how often they occur. We'll also discover the differences between solar and lunar eclipses. Come join us on this exciting journey of discovery! (Canva.com)

• Solar Eclipse Learning Unit from The Achievery — This lesson is designed to assist those who are interested in sharing information about the eclipse. In the lesson, you will learn about eclipse science, NASA’s eclipse-related citizen science projects, and public engagement opportunities during the upcoming eclipse. It will also provide information and resources for engaging with learners of all ages. (TheAchievery.com)

• Total Solar Eclipse Animation from PBS NOVA collection — In this animation adapted from NOVA, see why solar eclipses occur and observe a simulated total eclipse. (PBSLearningMedia.org)

• Livestream! Watch the Total Solar Eclipse with NASA & The Achievery — Immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience as you watch a live total solar eclipse through the eyes of NASA! Be a witness of the last visible solar eclipse from the contiguous United States until 2044, as you learn from a panel of science experts from NASA and other collaborators. (TheAchievery.com)

🌑 Looking for more eclipse resources?

• Check out our Solar Eclipse Wakelet collection! This collection has resources broken up by grade level. There are teaching resources for K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 as well as resources specific to viewing the eclipse.

🎯 Quick Teaching Strategy

🙌 Sculpt something about yourself

This quick teaching strategy comes from Jed Dearybury, co-author of The Playful Classroom. He suggests taking Play-Doh asking students to sculpt their answer rather than calling on them in the traditional hand raising response. This strategy involves everyone in the answering process and increases engagement.

An example for the first week of school, “Hey students, welcome to my class. Sculpt a Play-Doh image that tells me something you want me to know about you.”

Allow students to share answers with peers and leave their sculptures on the desks throughout the day. You will quickly have answers from everyone rather than a few!

Go deeper ⬇️

• Destroy the box guest post by Jed on Ditch That Textbook

• Creating a Playful Classroom FREE online course!

👋 How we can help

There are even more ways I can support you in the important work you do in education:

1. Read one of my six books about meaningful teaching with tech.

2. Take one of our online courses about practical and popular topics in education.

3. Bring me to your school, district or event to speak. I love working with educators!