By CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press, and staff
CLEVELAND — With about a week remaining before parts of Ohio and several other states are plunged into darkness by the total solar eclipse, the cosmic event is inspiring school lessons in science, literacy and culture.
What Ohioans should know about the eclipse
While many schools in central Ohio and elsewhere in or near the path of totality are cancelling classes or dismissing students early, some are organizing group viewings for students to experience the awe of daytime darkness and learn about the astronomy behind it together.
Dennis Schatz, a former president of the National Science Teaching Association, encourages educators to use the eclipse as “a teachable moment.”
eventh-grade student Henry Cohen bounced side to side in time to the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” playing in teacher Nancy Morris’ classroom, swinging his arms open and closed across the planets pictured on his T-shirt.
Henry and other classmates at Cleveland’s Riverside School were on their feet, dancing during a session of activities tied to April’s total solar eclipse. Second-graders invited in for the lessons sat cross-legged on the floor, laughing as they modeled newly decorated eclipse viewing glasses. Dioramas with softball-sized model earths and moons and flashlight “suns” occupied desks and shelves around the room.
Henry said his shirt reflected his love of space, which he called “a cool mystery.” The eclipse, he said, “is a one in a million chance and I’m glad I get to be here for it.”
Schools in Cleveland and some other cities in the eclipse’s path will be closed that day so that students aren’t stuck on buses or in crowds of people expected to converge.
At Riverside, Morris came up with a mix of crafts, games and models to educate and engage her students ahead of time.
“They really were not realizing what a big deal this was until we really started talking about it,” Morris said.