Have you heard?! There are TWO Solar Eclipses coming SOON that can be viewed from the United States!!! October 14th 2023 there will be an Annular RING OF FIRE Eclipse and on April 8th 2024 we will have a TOTAL Eclipse!
I am OVER THE MOON excited!!! I still remember my first experience with a Solar Eclipse way back in elementary school, using a pinhole viewer to watch the Sun MAGICALLY disappear… It wasn’t until later that I understood the SCIENCE behind why it was occurring.
These astronomical events present the PERFECT opportunity to make the abstract more concrete. Teaching the science behind Eclipses in a way that students can understand and then EXPERIENCE is so important. If you are looking for a great resource to teach about Solar and Lunar Eclipses, check out this Solar Eclipse vs Lunar Eclipse Differentiated Resource… but, I digress– you came here because you are looking for engaging and FUN ideas to make the Eclipse a MEMORABLE experience for your students. So without further ado, here are some things that I did with my students during the last solar eclipse that were a TOTAL HIT!
I started by obtaining official ISO certified solar eclipse glasses for all of the students. Make sure when you are getting your glasses that it is from a reputable seller and that they are truly ISO certified. If you need a list of reputable sellers, here is a link to the American Astronomical Society’s recommended vendors: Suppliers of Safe Solar Filters & Viewers | Solar Eclipse Across America (aas.org) I also had parents/guardians sign a permission form for their child to participate in the viewing party and explained to students and their families the dangers involved with not abiding by the rules during our viewing party.
Next, I created a playlist of songs to have as “Mood Music” during our viewing party. I tried my best to perfectly time these with the events of the Eclipse. The students LOVED the throwback mood music. The punny nature of the songs brought smiles to all and set the stage for fun!
SOLAR ECLIPSE PLAYLIST
Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone
Ring of Fire
Black Hole Sun
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Sunglasses at Night
Bad Moon Rising
Here Comes the Sun
I knew I wanted to provide treats for my students and I was torn between Moon Pies and Popsicles, but ultimately, popsicles won out as the best allergy friendly option! Plus, I am in the South and it was HOT outside, so even more reason to go for the COOL option.
I knew I wanted to make this feel like a special occasion, so I arranged for my students to be outside leading up to and after the event. We had already extensively covered the science behind the eclipse in science class. Our Math teachers had talked about the angles involved with the eclipse, Social Studies had created a timeline of past and future eclipses and ELA had a reflective journal piece ready to go for after our viewing party. It was time for fun!
I set up a Selfie Station outside on table. I laid out frames and Selfie Signs with fun sayings and hashtags and allowed the students to use their cell phones to take pictures. They LOVED it!
When it was time for the MAIN EVENT, we all laid out on the grass and looked up (with our glasses). It was mesmerizing!! My students swore they could feel the temperature drop as we were enveloped in darkness. There was total silence for a moment, followed my a buzz of excitement!
I wish you all the BEST as you plan for your classroom Solar Eclipse Viewing Party!
Click here to get FREE SOLAR ECLIPSE SELFIE SIGNS for your students to make memories.
Comments