Lunar & Solar Eclipse Elementary Music Activities
The Best ECLIPSE Music Activities For Kids K-6
A lunar or solar eclipse is a great time to integrate music and science in elementary music classes. Here are a variety of eclipse and sun, moon, and Earth music activities for kids K-6.
What is a lunar and solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon appears in between the sun and the earth, blocking the sun’s light.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth appears in between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon.
A solar eclipse takes place during the day time, when there is a new moon. A lunar eclipse takes place during the night, when there is a full moon.
How Many Eclipses Occur Each Year Worldwide?
According to timeanddate, most years have 4 with a maximum (rare) of 7! Eclipses are happening worldwide all the time! Check out upcoming eclipses from NASA!
Eclipse Music Activities for Kids
Let’s look at a resource made specifically for solar and lunar eclipses plus some elementary music play alongs using classic “celestial” songs!
Eclipse SONG, Circle Game, & Orff Arrangement
If you want to really honor the origins and practitioners of a musical genre, bring in musicians, scholars, or culture bearers who have lived experience in the tradition you’re teaching. These authentic voices bring depth and personHere’s the perfect song and fun circle game about lunar and solar eclipses.
It begins with a song and then, a spoken, rhythmic B section, all with an engaging Orff arrangement. al insight that textbooks and recordings just can’t match. When students learn directly from people who have a deep connection to the music, they not only gain respect for the art form but also for the community it represents.
There’s MORE!
A Poison Pattern game & parachute activity along with a simple C chord for ukulele AND simple TAB melody play!
It’s no or super low prep with step-by-step slides.
Moonshadow by Cat Stevens Movement Music Activity
Whether it’s the solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, or general science about the planets and stars, this beautiful song by Cat Stevens combined with a music and movement activity (*shadowing and rotation) will charm and delight your students.
This rhythm play along objectives are eighth, half, and quarter notes, quarter rests, rolls, accents, and 4/4 and 6/4 meters.
Optional parts for vibraslap and sleigh bells.
Here Comes the Sun Body Percussion
GREAT body percussion video that uses a modified staff layout for kids to perform as they here this classic song from the Beatles.
Lots of quarters and barred eighth note reading! The mixed meter portion of the song appears as dotted quarters.
For more eclipse-themed play alongs, check out the full post on Oodles of Music!
Lights, Cameras, Magic Merch
There are so many engaging sun, moon, and stars items that you can use throughout the year to add that bit of extra excitement to your lessons. It’s especially fun any time there’s an eclipse in your area but also for May the 4th, Star Wars Day! Other special times might include STEAM/STEM days, Halloween, solstice/change of seasons, and classic song lessons such as Star Light Star Bright and Twinkle, Twinkle.
Try a themed t-shirt with a moon or stars as well as room lighting that has become so popular. Turn off your room lights and use twinkle lights.
Check out this blog post FULL of ideas and resources for using blacklights, glowsticks, flashlights, fluorescents, and drumsticks that glow.
The BIG List of (Other) Music Games
For more general interest games, check out The Big List of Music Games for all ages including your hard-to-please older students.
The games use beat, rhythm, singing, and music vocabulary and include out games, competitions, performing, and challenges.
Blog Post Contributor: Laura Bartolomeo