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Lunar and solar eclipses aren’t new events (the first was documented as early as the BC times!), but it’s still exciting to witness one in person. Get your students excited for the upcoming eclipses that parts of North America will be able to see throughout 2025 with out-of-this-world science, ELA, and social studies lessons:
Discover the science behind lunar and solar eclipses
Research our nearest outer space neighbors in ELA
Build background knowledge on the space race in social studies
[Discover the science behind lunar and solar eclipses](id-sci)
What is an eclipse, and why do they happen? Students can get the answers to these and other burning science questions by exploring the following lessons:
Teach all about eclipses
Eclipses happen more often than we think because they’re not always visible to every country or continent. Teach students the basics of this celestial phenomenon with resources like:
An article that explains why NASA studies eclipses and what we can learn from their data.
An article that explains the differences between solar and lunar eclipses—and which one is rarer.
Discover what it takes to have a total eclipse of the sun
Aside from the distinction between lunar and solar eclipses, each type can also be categorized as partial or total. Explore what happens in a total solar eclipse with the following lesson:
Read about how people can prepare to view a total solar eclipse from Earth.
Learn how ancient civilizations studied eclipses and how their research still influences astronomy today.
Extend the lesson by asking students to complete a diary entry about their feelings about witnessing the 2024 total solar eclipse or how they feel about being able to witness an eclipse of any kind in 2025.
Learn about the phenomenon of a “Ring of Fire” eclipse
Solar eclipses happen when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth. A unique solar eclipse called the annular eclipse doesn’t completely block out the sun. Instead, the moon appears smaller than the sun, creating the “ring of fire.” Teach students more about the annular eclipse with resources like:
An interactive video that shows how the annular eclipse works.
An article sharing everything you need to know about seeing an annular eclipse in North America.
Tips on how to view a solar eclipse safely.
Track the phases of Earth’s moon
Even when there isn’t a lunar eclipse, the moon looks different in the night sky throughout the month. Explore what causes these changes with resources like:
An infographic that shows how the moon orbits the Earth.
An article that explains the phases of the moon.
An article that explores another interesting lunar event: A super moon.
An explainer article that explores why the sun appears to move across the sky.
An infographic that shows Earth’s rotation.
An article that explores why Earth rotates.
[Research our nearest outer space neighbors in ELA](id-ela)
An upcoming eclipse is the perfect current events hook to add a solar system research project to your ELA lessons. Help kickstart the project with resources like:
Discover how the solar system formed
Try a ready-to-share research project text set that prompts students to learn about how the solar system formed and how scientists explore it. Students will research three key areas:
Learn more about neighboring planets, stars, and satellites
Earth is just one of many objects floating around in the galaxy. Invite students to explore other planets, stars, and satellites beyond our atmosphere with articles on topics like:
The structure and formation of the solar system.
What makes the sun the heart of the solar system
Fun facts about Earth’s moon.
Explore the night sky
A lunar eclipse isn’t the only astronomical event worth seeing in the night sky. Give students a reason to look up at night by exploring resources like:
An article that shows how scientists determine the true brightness of stars.
An activity to show students how to model the cycles of the moon with an orange.
An explainer article that tells how the Northern Lights get their colors.
[Build background knowledge on the space race in social studies](id-ss)
On October 4, 1954, Russia (then the Soviet Union) launched the world’s first satellite, Sputnik 1. This event kicked off what became known as the Space Race, where the United States and Russia battled to see which country would be the superior space exploration nation. Teach students about these events with resources like:
An explainer article that details the events leading up to the space race.
A video that looks back at the beginnings of the U.S. space program.
An article on how “Hidden Figure” NASA scientist Katherine Johnson paved the way for other Black girls in science and math fields.
Content and activities for every exciting phenomenon
Use Newsela’s knowledge and skill-building products to create timely, engaging lessons for every holiday and current event all year. If you’re not a Newsela customer yet, sign up for Newsela Lite and get a 45-day free trial of all our premium and differentiated content and activities to help you plan for all the upcoming astrological events of 2025 and beyond.
Everything you need to accelerate learning across ELA, social studies, and science
Teach students about forests and trees with these World Forest Day resources and activities for Newsela Science and Newsela ELA. Start a free trial today.
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