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I am a first-year, fifth-grade teacher in Tennessee, and we are fixing to begin our unit on Earth and Space Science. 

One of our standards is - 5.ESS1.4. Explain the cause and effect relationship between the positions of the sun, earth, and moon and resulting eclipses, position of constellations, and appearance of the moon.

Is there a good online simulation that will help my students to understand the positions of the sun, earth, and moon and the eclipses that result from their positions?  Bonus points if it is free!

Any resources, videos, etc. on teaching fifth grade science standards relating to earth and space science would be appreciated!

Dear Krystal:

Dennis Schatz and I wrote a book of middle school classroom activities, called Solar Science, all about eclipses, seasons, sunspots, and more.  It is published by NSTA Press, and is available at a discount for members.

Our booklet of activities and information for the 2017 total eclipse of the Sun is staill available free at: https://www.starnetlibraries.org/2020/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2017-Eclipe-Guide.pdf 

A list of eclipse education materials is available from the American Astronomical Society: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/educational-materials