Getting Ready for the Solar Eclipse

Are you psyched for the eclipse? Those of us in the United States have the rare treat of a total solar eclipse happening Aug. 21.

It’s definitely worth it to get to a place where you can experience totality if you can, but other parts of the United States and Canada will still have the cool experience of its suddenly getting darker in the middle of the day.

Space.com has a great rundown of what an eclipse is, why it happens and the different kinds of eclipses that can occur.

I think we all know it’s not safe to look directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, but their are ways you can view or experience the eclipse without harming your eyes.

First, you can buy eclipse-safe filters or glasses through which you can safely view the sun. They need to have an ISO 12312-2 rating, and make sure they aren’t scratched or torn before you use them.

A classic eclipse “viewing” device is a pinhole viewer, through which you can see the shadow of the eclipse. (This is the way I “saw” a lunar eclipse back in 1996.) The Exploratorium has some great info on how to make different kinds of pinholes, plus some no-prep ways to get a glimpse at the eclipse.

If you’d like to really be able to see the eclipse, Smithsonian magazine has a good roundup of the different kinds of gear you can use to view the eclipse safely.

People throughout North America can take readings during the eclipse and report them to NASA for a citizen science project. Sounds like a fun activity to do with the kids.

I haven’t read it yet but I just checked out a book from the library about an eclipse called When the Sun Goes Dark. It’s part of this roundup of books about eclipses for kids from Growing with Science, which has books arranged by age group.

If the eclipse has you in the mood for crafting, check out these ideas:

Coffee filter eclipse craft – Look We’re Learning

Solar eclipse chalk art – Books and Giggles

Sun, earth and moon model – Enchanted Learning

Eclipse paper plate craft – JDaniel4’s Mom

More eclipse crafts for students – Orbit Oregon

Are you gearing up for the eclipse? I’d love to know what you’re planning!

[Photo of solar eclipse by Nakae, via Flickr.]

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Solar Eclipse Activities for Kids

Learning about Hanukkah is important for people of all faiths as a reminder that December isn’t just about Christmas and that their are many other important holidays that happen during this time. Hanukkah unit studies can give you ideas for incorporating the holiday into your holiday studies that happen in December, or to use at home for learning about people of different faiths.

Homeschool Superfreak has a lot of basic ideas for how to build a Hanukkah unit study, as well as FAQs about what Hanukkah is and why it is celebrated. This list is a good stargint point but doesn’t include all the details you’ll need. For example it says you can play the dreidel game but doesn’t explain how to do that or why it’s important. (If you need that information, this post from Mama Smiles is a good source.)

Teachers Pay Teachers has lots of great lesson plans and activities if you’re willing to pay a little bit to get some good content. Two I really like are this Hanukkah PowerPoint presentation from Shelia Melton, which provides a good overview of traditions, food and the history of Hanukkah; and a virtual field trip to Jerusalem from MagiCore, which includes lots of videos showing the city and activities like playing dreidel, drawing a menorah and making latkes. It’s a Google Drive folder and also includes writing activities and more for kids in second to fifth grade.

Kids Activities Blog has some simple printables with facts about Hanukkah and things kids can color in like a Star of David, sufganiyots (jelly doughnuts) and a menorah. These are great for learning the basics.

Homeschool Giveaways has a printable ebook about Hanukkah complete with questions kids can answer after they read. This would be a good one for older kids with good reading comprehension.

NurtureStore’s Hanukkah unit study includes a printable mini book, tons of crafts, as well as math and writing activities. I love the dominoes game that’s part of the unit.

And check out our previous posts for more Hanukkah crafts and learning activities!

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