Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Students will be able to record observational science  field notes in writing using multi-sensory observation skills.

Essential / Academic Vocabulary: observe/observation, multi-sensory, field journal + sensory vocabulary list 

Do Now: Guess the Sound video.  Have students write the numbers 1-20 in their notebook.  As they watch the video, “Guess the Sound,” they should write down a, b, c, or d before it tells them the answer. 

•  Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVyQ_8-k8Co
• Video in lesson slides provided in Lesson Resources below  

Review the objectives with the students.

Do Now Word Bank & Sentence Starters

• Provide word bank and sentence starters for students who need it.

Resource: WIDA can-do descriptors

I do: Watch video, “Field Journals.” Have students think about: What is a field journal? What are the four things to include in a field journal? Stop to explain as needed.

• Link to video: https://youtu.be/93aMXg3GbdA 
• Video in lesson slides provided in Lesson Resources below.  

We do: After the video, discuss students’ thoughts on: What is a field journal? What are the four things to include in a field journal?

We do: Pass out the Sensory Vocabulary List.  Allow students a few minutes to read over the list.  Then have students underline all of the words they recognize.  Then have students circle 5-10 more words they would like to practice using in their observations.

• Sensory vocabulary list provided in Lesson Resources below.

I do: Pass out two copies of the observer journal to each student. Review the directions for the Observation journal activity. 

Student Directions: 

1. We will go outside as a class and stand/sit in one area near each other.
2. Complete the 1 Observer journal together. 
3. Practice sharing observations for each of the categories using the Sensory Vocabulary List. 
4. Write notes 
5. Make 1-2 drawings in two categories of your choice.
6. Then you will complete the 2nd Observer journal by yourself.

• Observer Journal Handout provide in Lesson Resources below.

We do: As a class, fill out the top information on one of the observer journals. Then head outside to complete.

• Resource Link: Google Maps to find latitude and longitude: https://eclipsesoundscapes.org/location-reporting-format/

We do: Go outside as a class and stand/sit in one area near each other. Practice an observation using the observer journal all together.  Have students share their observations regarding each of the categories.  Encourage students to use the Sensory Vocabulary List. After several notes have been taken per category, have students make two drawings in two categories.

Reduce Vocabulary List Load:

Highlight specific words on the Sensory Vocabulary handout for students who may need extra support.  By highlighting a smaller set of words, it allows students to focus their attention. 

• Consider focusing on words that might already be in their vocabulary and cognates of their native language.

Resource: WIDA can-do descriptors

You do: While still outside, have students individually complete a second observer journal.  Students can use the Sensory Vocabulary List.

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MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. (Clarification Statement: Examples of models can be physical, graphical, or conceptual.)

Predict
Students will be able to predict the sounds and sights in their location during the solar eclipse.

Essential / Academic Vocabulary: diurnal, nocturnal, camouflage

Do Now: “Multi-Sensory Eclipse Observations” Watch the two linked videos and answer the following questions. 

1. How would you observe animals or your environment during a solar eclipse using all of your senses? 
   • What would you listen for?
   • What would you look for?
   • What would you try to feel/touch?
2. Recording the information you gather during your observations is important. How or where would you record your information during scientific investigation?

• Click Multi-sensory Eclipse Observations Do Now for videos.
• Lesson Slides provided in Lesson Resources below.

Review the objectives with the students.

Do Now:

• Provide word bank and sentence starters for students who need it.
  I would listen for …
  I would look for…
  I would try to feel/touch…

Reference: WIDA can-do descriptors

I Do: Review the Do Now in detail going over what happens during an eclipse with the animals and why.  Discuss the answers to the questions, what the students learned, and what animals and insects were in the video. (slide 2)

We Do: Thinking about the Do Now videos, brainstorm together how the behavior of the animals changed before, during, after the eclipse on the board. (slide 3)

We Do: Using the Graphic Organizer Handout, Brainstorm with the students the “insects” they know live in the area in which they will be experiencing the eclipse and add which of those they might be able to hear or see. (slide 4)

• Graphic Organizer provided in Lesson Resources below. 

You Do (Pairs/Groups): Have students spend 5 minutes with a partner brainstorming and filling out the rest of the graphic organizer. After 5 minutes, have students meet with another pair to talk about their ideas and add more to their brainstorm worksheet. (slide 5)

I Do: Teacher explains the “research and predict” project directions. Handout with directions in Lesson Resources below. (slide 6)

• Research & Predict Handout provided in Lesson Resources below. 

We Do:  Research the 1st animal and answer animal and prediction questions together as a class with the teacher eliciting what to write from the students and modeling how to write answers. Students should also fill-in on their papers. Use  iNaturalist  map search directions on handout to model how to search. (slide 7)

Your Do (pairs): With partners, have students complete the research & predict handout by researching and writing about 3 more animals iNaturalist . (slide 8)

Pairing strategy

• Partner earlier proficient ELs with later proficient ELs or native English speakers.

Graphic Organizer Modification

• have students draw a picture of each animal and plant and label/list what they see.

Research Handout Modification

• Provide Sentence Starters 

1. The ___ has ___ ___ , ___ ___, and ___ ___.
2. It sounds like a ______ .
   Yes, it surprised me. OR No, it didn’t surprise me.
3. I think it would be easy to see a ___ because _______________ OR I don’t think it would be easy to see  a ___ because _____________________ . I think it would be easy to hear a ___ because __________ OR I don’t think it would be easy to hear a ___ because __________ .
4. During the eclipse I think a ___ might __________ .

Reference: WIDA can-do descriptors

You Do (Exit Ticket): Have students write a prediction of which animals they think will change their behavior during the eclipse and why.

Exit Ticket Modification

• Provide Sentence Starter
  I think a ___ will _______ because _______ .

Reference: WIDA can-do descriptors

We want to hear from you! If you used this lesson plan or any of these resources, please submit lesson plan feedback via a short survey!

MS-ESS1-1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. (Clarification Statement: Examples of models can be physical, graphical, or conceptual.)

Students will be able to research the percentage of the eclipse in 3 locations and draw the eclipses from those locations.

Essential / Academic Vocabulary: annular eclipse, annularity, corona, maximum phase, total solar eclipse, totality

Do Now: Students Look at the 2 pictures and write down 3-5 sentences and/or questions about the pictures.  

• Images are in the Lesson Slides that are provided in Lesson Resources below.

Review the objectives with the students.

Do Now Word Bank & Sentence Starters

• Provide word bank and sentence starters for students who need it.
  In picture 1 I notice ….
  In picture 2 I notice …
  I wonder …

Resource: WIDA can-do descriptors

I Do: Teacher shows a video to students that explains eclipse maximum. Before playing the video tell students to think about: What does annularity look like? What does totality look like? How are annularity and totality different?

• Video provided in Lesson Resources below.

I Do: Read text with the whole class. Before starting to read, tell students to think about: What does annularity look like? What does totality look like? How are annularity and totality different? Teacher should stop and explain as needed.

• Text provided in Lesson Resources below.

We Do: Discuss  the questions that the students have been thinking about: What does annularity look like? What does totality look like? How are annularity and totality different?

I Do: Explain eclipse time research activity directions and provide students with the graphic organizer to complete the research activity. Student Directions: In partners, research what percentage of the eclipse you can experience in three different locations. Your second location must be the location you will be during the eclipse. Your last location can be chosen from anywhere in the United States, Central America, or South America

• Graphic Organizer provided in Lesson Resources below, one for 2023 annular and one for 2024 Total.

We Do: Using the graphic organizer, the teacher and students will complete together the school’s location as an example. The teacher focuses on having students tell the teacher what to write.

• Annular Solar Eclipse: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2023-october-14
• Total Solar Eclipse: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2024-april-8

You Do (Pairs): In partners, with the graphic organizer, have students research the percentage of the eclipse for two more locations of their choosing in the United States, Central America, or South America.  One of the locations must be the location they will be located at for the eclipse if it is not the same as the school.

• Annular Solar Eclipse: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2023-october-14
• Total Solar Eclipse: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2024-april-8
• Graphic Organizer is provided in Lesson Resources below.

Graphic Organizer Modifications:

• Pre-fill in some of the information in the Graphic Organizer for students ahead of time.
• Decrease the number of locations being researched with the student’s eclipse location as the highest priority. 

Pairing strategy: Partner earlier proficient ELs with later proficient ELs or native English speakers.

Resource: WIDA can-do descriptors

We Do: Come back together as a class and share what students found about the location they will be observing the eclipse and information they found about their other locations.

We want to hear from you! If you used this lesson plan or any of these resources, please submit lesson plan feedback via a short form!