Lower School Eclipse Watching Guide

4/3/2024

Jenn Carlson

Next Monday, April 8th, we have the amazing opportunity to view a solar eclipse! Science classes will be doing activities to learn about the eclipse this week and/or next and all students will have the opportunity to safely view the eclipse at school - we have glasses for all of our students. The eclipse begins at 1:58 and ends at 4:27, with totality (98%!) being reached at the Lower School at 3:14pm. It is important to remember to not look directly at the sun/eclipse without eclipse glasses. You can also view the eclipse with a viewer (see link below to make your own!).

Image source

Below are some resources for all ages about the eclipse! Feel free to reach out to Jenn or Sosha if you have any science questions!

From NASA:

Events:

Metro Detroit events from the Detroit News
If you are traveling to the path of complete totality

Videos:

Why does it get dark during a solar eclipse? Geared for elementary students, from Mystery Science.
What You Need to Know About Solar Eclipses. Students, families, and classrooms can use this introductory video to test their knowledge with specific facts about the different types of eclipses, how planetary movements affect wildlife, and strategies to know how to catch a glimpse of one. From Scholastic.
What Is an Eclipse? For younger learners, this animated video will help students understand what an eclipse is and how it impacts the Earth, from Scholastic News.
Video playlist from Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. Lots of good stuff for all ages!

Music & Logic Puzzles:

A solar eclipse themed playlist on Spotify!
Solar eclipse logic puzzlers/brainteasers (print pages 8-15, keys included) solar-eclipse-logic-puzzlers.pdf

From Scholastic Magazines:
These resources can help students, families, and educators learn about and celebrate the solar eclipse. Classes can experience the eclipse with a small amount of household materials and get a glimpse into the history behind this celestial event.

Solar Eclipse Viewer. This hands-on activity instructs students on how to create their own personal eclipse viewer, with safety top of mind. It includes simple directions and requires only a handful of household materials. This viewer requires a shoebox, but might be easier for littler hands to use during the eclipse. If they are at school, they will also have their glasses!
Model an Eclipse. With this interactive eclipse model, students will learn about the different aspects of planetary movements, how an eclipse travels through space and time, and the technicalities behind such a phenomenal event.
“When Dragons Swallowed the Sun.” (Grades 3-6) From ancient Chinese and Egyptian mythology to present-day science, this article tells how historians and scientists from different cultures have documented these rare occurrences through the ages, including NASA’s plans to perform five experiments during the eclipse’s duration. There are also links to activities.
“Something Big Is Coming!” (Grades 1–2) Find a fictional text, games, activities, skill sheets, and more in an article in this interactive eclipse-themed issue of Scholastic News, available for Grade 1 and Grade 2.
The Eclipse Party Disaster (Grade 3) Build knowledge and vocabulary, and make connections with this realistic fictional play about the solar eclipse from Storyworks 3.

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Lower School Eclipse Watching Guide

Bloomfield Campus

Birmingham Campus