Objective

By the end of this lesson, Shawn will be able to understand what a lunar eclipse is and how it occurs.

Materials and Prep

Materials:

• Flashlight
• Small ball (to represent the moon)
• Large ball (to represent the Earth)

Prep: Make sure to have a dark room or a way to dim the lights for the activities.

Activities

• Shadow Play: Use the flashlight, small ball, and large ball to demonstrate how a lunar eclipse occurs by creating shadows.
• Phases of the Moon: Discuss the different phases of the moon and how they relate to lunar eclipses.
• Story Time: Read a fun story or watch a video about lunar eclipses to reinforce the concept.

Talking Points

• What is a Lunar Eclipse?
  "A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon."
• Types of Lunar Eclipses:
  "There are three types of lunar eclipses: total, partial, and penumbral. Total eclipse is when the moon is completely covered by Earth's shadow."
• Why does the Moon turn red during a Lunar Eclipse?
  "The Moon can turn red during a total lunar eclipse because of the way Earth's atmosphere bends and scatters sunlight."
• Phases of the Moon:
  "The different shapes of the moon we see each night are called phases. These phases are related to the position of the moon in its orbit around Earth."