Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand what a lunar eclipse is, how it happens, and will create their own artistic representation of a lunar eclipse.

Materials and Prep

• Paper
• Colored pencils or crayons
• A flashlight (to represent the sun)
• A ball (to represent the Earth)
• A smaller ball (to represent the Moon)

Before the lesson, make sure to find a quiet space where the student can focus on the activities. Familiarize yourself with the concept of lunar eclipses so you can explain it clearly.

Activities

• Story Time:

  Read a short story or watch a video about lunar eclipses. Discuss what happens during an eclipse and why it is special.

• Modeling the Eclipse:

  Using the flashlight, the ball, and the smaller ball, demonstrate how the Earth, Moon, and Sun interact during a lunar eclipse. Show how the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon.

• Art Creation:

  Have the student draw or color a picture of a lunar eclipse. Encourage them to be creative and include stars, the Earth, and the Moon.

• Reflection:

  Ask the student to share what they learned about lunar eclipses and how they created their artwork. This can be done verbally or through a short written reflection.

Talking Points

• "A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon. Can you imagine how big that is?"
• "During a lunar eclipse, the Earth casts a shadow on the Moon. What do you think the Moon looks like in the shadow?"
• "Lunar eclipses can be total or partial. A total eclipse means the Moon is completely in the Earth's shadow. How cool is that?"
• "The Moon can look red during a lunar eclipse! It’s called a 'Blood Moon.' What color do you want to use for your Moon in your drawing?"
• "Did you know that lunar eclipses can last for a few hours? That’s a long time to see something special!"
• "Every time we see a lunar eclipse, it reminds us of how amazing our solar system is. What do you think is the coolest thing about space?"