• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

teach mama logo

teach mama

helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

eclipse 2017: free resources for families (even if you’re last minute)

home / featured / eclipse 2017: free resources for families (even if you’re last minute)
205 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

Oh, how I envisioned creating this post three, four, even five weeks ago.

But life got in the way.

So here it is: eclipse 2017 resources for families–even if you’re last-minute, like me.

eclipse 2017: free resources for families (even if you're last minute)Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you know that on August 21, we’ll experience a total solar eclipse.

I am going to hit you quickly with everything we’re doing on the big day so that you can do it, too. Grab a friend or two, a few other neighbors or families, or your students if you’re back in the classroom already.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Eclipse 2017 — Free Resources for Families (Even If You’re Last-Minute!)

I’m no scientist, believe me, so I have had to do a bit of digging for information about what this eclipse is, what it means, and why it’s such a big deal.

In order to save you a bit of time, here’s the absolute basics of what you need to know . . .

1. You need to know what it is.ย 

What is a solar eclipse? A solar eclipse occurs when the new moon passes between the Earth and sun. When the moon covers the entire disk of the sun, we see a spectacular total eclipse of the sun with the corona glowing. During the eclipse, the moonโ€™s shadow is cast upon the Earth and travels across the surface at more than 1,000 miles per hour. (Thank you, NASA.)

2. You need special eclipse glasses.ย 

A lot of the eclipse glasses are sold out now–really and truly you cannot buy them on Amazon anymore unless you want to pay an arm and a leg, but you may be able to grab a pair at your local library or school. I would definitely call around to see if anyone has a pair that you can borrow or use.

eclipse 2017: free resources for families (even if you're last minute)

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can:

  • Learn how to make a pinhole projection with your hands
  • Set up an optical projection of the eclipse
  • Make a sun funnelย 
  • Buy a pair of sun-oculars.

Really you need to know that viewing the sun is not safe for your eyes, and there’s a whole lot you can read about the safety of viewing eclipses on the NASA site.

3. You need to know when you’ll be able to see it.

Visit the interactive map on the NASA site so you know exactly when you will be able to view this spectacle.

Or just view the detailed map of each and every state and how the eclipse will appear there.

The last page of this amazing eclipse activity guide tells you when you should be able to see either the full or partial eclipse, depending on where you are.

4. You need to keep the kids focused.ย 

We’re just having a few friends over, and since we have a bunch of kids in the group, we’re going to have the kids complete this super easy Solar Eclipse Capture Sheet just so they are a little focused during the event.

eclipse 2017: free resources for families (even if you're last minute)

You can grab your own copy right here, simply by putting your name in the box.

A Capture Sheet is super-simple–it simply allows a person to ‘capture’ all of the important information they can, and quickly.

But great news! I also added the following to the Capture Sheet:ย 

  • Eclipse printable fun facts from myths and legends (taken from an article in the Washington Post!)
  • Eclipse corona craft printable that we’re doing today (from the NASA site)
  • Eclipse crossword from Washington Post
  • Eclipse social printable–everything we need to remember to do today to connect with those on social media!

So you get a lot when you sign up. FUN!

5. You need cool snacks.

My mom knew we were having an eclipse party, so she picked up some Moon Pies for us. Remember them?

Kind of shortbready-sugar cookie sandwich with marshmallow inside and covered in chocolate? Yum. So yes, here’s our menu:

  • Moon Pies (buy them on Amazon or at the grocery store or make cheater moon pies with vanilla wafer cookies, marshmallow cream, and dip ’em in chocolate!)
  • Oreos (because black and white. . . light and dark. . . sun and moon? And we may bust out a few Phases of the Moon books!)
  • Star Fruitย 
  • And anything star-related or galaxy related we can find. But probably that will just mean some green Gatorade, Doritos, and pizza. Who am I kidding? The kids are getting so big now that they’d gobble my cute and pinteresty snacks in a heartbeat.

6. You need activities.ย 

  • First, invite friends (or just invite your kids!) using the free invitations on the NASA site. Share any and all of your party photos with #EclipseParty.

eclipse 2017: free resources for families (even if you're last minute)

  • Remember to print out the Capture Sheet above.
  • Then download the GLOBE Observer/ Citizen Scientist app and put your kids to work! This app allows them to be ‘citizen scientists!

  • Watch the eclipse live stream on the NASA site.
  • Use the NASA’s eyes simulation so you can see what it should look like from anywhere in the world! (See below!)

 

  • Have the kids make bleached-out eclipse shirts, the way we made the Disney ones a few years back.
  • Do other cool crafts. NASA has a ton of other cute and fun eclipse-inspired crafts to consider.
  • During the eclipse, capture a short video (less than 1 min) of yourself, or you with others, doing an original dance inspired by the eclipse. As a reminder, avoid any kind of copyrighted music or materials in the background that would prevent us from posting your video. Share your video with NASA in the Flickr group or on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter by using #EclipseDance. Donโ€™t forget to include a brief description with your image. To learn more about, visitย go.nasa.gov/2qTrUCt.
  • Bling out your eclipse glasses! And share them on Facebook and Twitter by using #MyEclipseGlasses. Donโ€™t forget to include a brief description with your image. To learn more about this project, visitย go.nasa.gov/2r4rmbn.
  • Print out some state-specificย Pinhole Projectors and have the kids take photos with them. Tag photos #EclipseSelfie. Leave a 1-2 sentence description of your image/idea. To download your state pinhole projector, visitย go.nasa.gov/2rUx9jI
  • We are totally going to jam out to the eclipse play list–yes there’s one!–and it’s pretty darn good!

7. You need to stay connected.ย 

Whatever you do, don’t just hole up alone in your house! Show the kids how connected we really are, especially when something as amazing as a solar eclipse occurs!

  • Visit the NASA live stream page to find the best way for you to share your experiences. Are you on twitter? Instagram? Facebook? Tag NASA and let them know you’re watching!
  • Visit the Flickr page to see a whole other set of ideas and how you can participate by sharing your own photos, videos, and more!

The NASA site has absolutely everything you need for this event, my friends. Everything.

These science-happy gals and guys have been waiting ages for this. AGES. So they’ve got everything from party invitations to crafts to citizen scientist ideas to music playlists to you name it. The site is awesome. It’s everything eclipse that you need.

eclipse 2017: free resources for families (even if you're last minute)

Let me know what I’m missing here!

And do let me know how YOUR party goes!

Check out a few other posts that may help you develop strong and healthy habits for your family:

  • wait time
  • my day, your day
  • frozen peas
  • kids who rock the kitchen
  • kids who rock the laundry
  • rest time
  • gem jars
  • arm circles
  • noticing kids
  • homework routine

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are โ€œaffiliate links.โ€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissionโ€™s 16 CFR, Part 255: โ€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.โ€ ย For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.ย 

You May Also Like...

  • everything free and awesome online to do while kids are home: classes, crafts, virtual tours and more
    everything free and awesome online to do while kids are home: classes, crafts,…
  • Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
    Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
  • Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
    Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators

About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post:staples for students twitter event 8.8#EDU #backtoschool twitter event with @staples 8/8 7-8pm ET
Next Post:25 days of kindness, 25 ways to be kind to others25 days of kindness 25 ways to be kind teachmama.com 1 sq

Sidebar

amy mascott profile blog

join the coolest club around:

  • About
  • Contact
  • disclaimer
  • terms of use
  • privacy policy
  • Site-Map

Instagram


our books

setting the stage for rock-star readers
raise a reader

Find Us On Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Helpful Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us On Instagram

View
Open
Thank you @upliftyogaolney for a fun and joy-filled afternoon of yoga with goats! ๐Ÿง˜๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ

#goatyoga #marylandyoga #sundayworkout #motherdaughtertime #yogawithgoats #ourfaves
View
Open
loved our first @saltvinemd experience 

cannot wait to return!
View
Open
Had THE BEST dinner at Olneyโ€™s newest restaurant, @saltvinemd โ€”

Our hostesses were kind and welcoming, our server was THE BEST, and food was delivered to our table by SUPER food runners. 

Everything we ordered we LOVED. Cannot wait to return. 

(Swipe to see what we ordered!)

#saltandvine #mocoeats #mocofood #marylandeats
View
Open
What a DAY!! 
Any book festival is a great festival, but @gburgbookfest KNOWS how to put together a celebration of books and authors!!

Loved meeting 
@evascreativity 
@zigzagzeph 
@jackieadrian_art 
@nomoreblankpageskids 
@palavergames 
@jessicadallauthor 
@keanstrategies 
@gurkirtsinghvirk 
@teegarner 
@lincolnhartlaub 
@jadesocoby 

and so many others! And loved hearing @authoralexandrarobbins speak!

#gaithersburgbookfestival #gburgbookfest #bookfestival #readingteacher #featuredreels #marylandlife
View
Open
still peaceful

#yogapractice #peaceful #sheepadoodle #bigfuzzydog #yogaeverydamnday
View
Open
The must-have guide for every woman:  The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs is officially out in the world today! 

Congratulations to my pal @laura.tremaine ! 

This book WILL:
๐ŸŽˆEncourage you to look around at your current life landscape to really SEE your acquaintances, coworkers, neighbors, and friends
๐ŸŽˆFill you with gratitude for the friendships of your past
๐ŸŽˆOffer suggestions for how to navigate the complications of modern friendship
๐ŸŽˆGive you space to mourn the friendships that are over
๐ŸŽˆOutline 10 types of friends that can shape your life 
๐ŸŽˆHelp you name the type of friend YOU are on other peopleโ€™s Life Councils 
๐ŸŽˆInspire you to let friendship take on the important role that it deserves 
I want this book to spark a million This book WILL:
๐ŸŽˆEncourage you to look around at your current life landscape to really SEE your acquaintances, coworkers, neighbors, and friends
๐ŸŽˆFill you with gratitude for the friendships of your past
๐ŸŽˆOffer suggestions for how to navigate the complications of modern friendship
๐ŸŽˆGive you space to mourn the friendships that are over
๐ŸŽˆOutline 10 types of friends that can shape your life 
๐ŸŽˆHelp you name the type of friend YOU are on other peopleโ€™s Life Councils 
๐ŸŽˆInspire you to let friendship take on the important role that it deserves 
I want this book to spark a million conversations.

Laura, I know it will. Love you, girl. 
#TheLifeCouncil #happybookbirthday
View
Open
I was in #annapolis today demanding our lawmakers take meaningful action on gun safety. 

Are you fed up with lawmakersโ€™ inaction, too? 

Join me & turn your anger into action with @MomsDemand by texting FED UP to 644-33. #FedUp #MDpolitics 
#notonemore #dosomething #useyourvoice
View
Open
I started my teaching career at @hcpss_wlhs โ€” a place packed with really awesome educatorsโ€” and @eric.ebersole.for.maryland was one of them!

LOOK at us now! Delegate Ebersole is moving mountains in Annapolis! 

It was so cool to run into my friend while Iโ€™m here with @momsdemand โค๏ธโ™ฅ๏ธ 

Want to get involved? YOU NEED TO. 

Please text FED UP to 644-33 to find an event near you and make your voice heard!

#FEDUP #notonemore #dosomething #useyourvoice #bethechange #momsdemandaction
View
Open
I am #FEDUP and I am doing something about it. 

Tomorrow I will spend time with fellow @MomsDemand volunteers & survivors to demand our lawmakers take action on gun safety. 

Join me & turn your anger into action by texting FED UP to 644-33. #FedUp #MDpolitics

#notonemore #dosomething #useyourvoice

Copyright © 2023 · teach mama media, llc · All Rights Reserved

  • 182
205 shares