Fun ways to share The Solar Eclipse in your classroom

I’m popping in to share some solar eclipse activities! On Monday, April 8th, the sun and the moon will appear roughly the same size! Some of you live on the path of totality, while the rest of us must celebrate in our communities.

Here are some videos and books you could use to mark this momentous occasion in your classroom!

Solar Eclipse Must-Reads

If you want to share literature about the solar eclipse, I recommend three books. You can also view them on YouTube.

Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story

Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story by Jayme Sandberg is one of my favorite read-alouds on the topic. It contains a ton of information about a solar eclipse, but it’s also a story about friendship and how we all shine together.

Eclipse

Eclipse by Andy Rash is about a father-son duo that experiences a solar eclipse.

A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse

A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse by Kate Allen Fox is about what happens during a solar eclipse and how these moments bring us closer together.

Fun and Quick Activities

Let’s discuss some activities you can do. If planning at the last minute, check out these super easy and simple activities.

Easy Craft: Draw the Solar Eclipse

For this activity, all you need is black construction paper, chalk, and a small bowl. If you don’t have a bowl, you can have students cut and trace a circle (I recommend cardstock paper for durability).

First, they trace the circle with the chalk. Then, they take their finger and spread the chalk dust to make a corona. Last, they admire their work. Use this video to show them how it works.

Another Simple Craft: Draw the Solar Eclipse

If you want to do a crafty activity, check this one out. You will need a sun, moon, and earth worksheet. First, students will color in the celestial bodies. Then, they will glue the sun and Earth down (see video). You will need an exacto knife to cut a line in the plate. Next, students will glue the moon on a craft stick. After that, they slide the moon in the slit and move it right to left to demonstrate the solar eclipse.

Grab the coloring pages here.

Check out this video below:

To save time, grab the clipart for this project below.

Make an Eclipse Viewer

We must stay safe if we want to view the eclipse. You should avoid looking at the sun with your eyes.

Check out this video below to learn how to make a solar eclipse viewer.

Watch it Live!

If you want to experience the solar eclipse from your classroom, you can join NASA as a total solar eclipse moves across North America. Check it out here!