LLA Newsletter Issue #10 Email

FOUNDER’S NOTE

“ WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR SOLAR ECLIPSE MEMORIES! USE HASHTAG #TOTALECLISPEOFLLA “

Hey Tribe!

On April 8th, 2024, a rare celestial event will grace the skies above us: a total solar eclipse! Even more thrilling, our very own DFW area is in the line of totality, offering us a front-row seat to this awe-inspiring spectacle.

For my family, eclipses are more than just astronomical events – they're cherished moments that we ' ve eagerly anticipated since my children were old enough to understand (and perhaps even a little before). We've stayed up late to watch lunar eclipses, set alarms to catch solar eclipses, pulled up NASA live streams, and indulged in themed snacks

This is the beauty of homeschooling – we get hands-on experiences that bring learning to life.

Here are some fantastic activities to enjoy from the comfort of your own home, ensuring a memorable and safe experience for all.

CREATE PINHOLE PROJECTORS:

Craft simple pinhole projectors using household materials like cardboard boxes or cereal boxes These DIY devices will allow you to safely view the eclipse by projecting its image onto a surface.

ECLIPSE-THEMED SNACKS:

Whip up some delicious eclipse-themed snacks, such as cookies decorated to look like the sun and moon or fruit skewers arranged in the shape of an eclipse.

SOLAR SYSTEM SCAVENGER HUNT:

Set up a solar system scavenger hunt in your backyard or living room. Hide various objects representing planets and challenge your kids to find them all while learning about our solar system

FAMILY ECLIPSE JOURNAL:

Start a family eclipse journal to document your observations, thoughts, and feelings before, during, and after the eclipse Encourage everyone to draw pictures or write down their experiences to create a lasting memento of this special day.

And don't forget to check out the eclipsethemed activities provided by our community partners at PBS affiliate KERA! You can find our favorites on (pages 6-7) of this newsletter

A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OCCURS WHEN THE MOON COMPLETELY COVERS THE SUN, CASTING A SHADOW ON EARTH. THIS REMARKABLE PHENOMENON CAN LAST FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES, BUT ITS IMPACT CAN BE FELT FOR A LIFETIME

Let's make the most of this extraordinary event by coming together as families and communities to marvel at the wonders of the universe Whether you ' re gazing up at the sky or enjoying eclipse-themed activities at home, the memories created during this eclipse will be cherished for years to come

Don’t forget to share on social media and use the hashtag #totaleclispeofLLA

Happy eclipse watching!

AmberO.

DIDYOUKNOWTHAT DURINGATOTALSOLAR ECLIPSE,THE TEMPERATURECANDROP BYASMUCHAS20 DEGREESFAHRENHEIT? SO,DON'TFORGETTO BRINGOUTTHOSECOZY BLANKETSFORYOUR BACKYARDECLIPSE VIEWINGPARTY!

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?

Solar Eclipse Week!

This week we have been on break from Tutorial, and we hope everyone has had the chance to catch up on rest and family time this weekend.

At LLA, we have been busy planning and building ideas for our classes and units We have a fun field trip planned after our dinosaur unit and we have been busy organizing our big Field Day, happening May 17th!

Next week we will be preparing for the amazing solar eclipse! This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn about the solar eclipse And we have just what you need! In this issue, we have compiled some resources shared by our community partner, KERA. We also have our solar eclipse book recommendations and plenty of watch party options! Get you glasses ready and zoom right into this exceptional celestial event!

NADYA ZEIN-OSAZEE

Partnering with

SOLAR ECLIPSE RESOURCES

Did you know that KERA webpage has many wonderful educational videos and even ready-to-go lesson plans available for free?

Click for more

KERA Lesson Plans

Explore all K-12 grades and many different topics! Bringing the Universe to America’s Classrooms

THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO SOLAR ECLIPSES AND TWO LUNAR ECLIPSES EACH YEAR. WHY IS A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE SUCH A RARE OCCURRENCE?

READY JET GO!

SEEING A SOLAR ECLIPSE IS LESS COMMON THAN SEEING A LUNAR ECLIPSE!

Watch the solar eclipse with your friends on Ready Jet Go! Get ideas on how to safely view the solar eclipse?

PINHOLEVIEWER

This week we would like to recommend this lesson plan about solar eclipses! Why is a solar eclipse so rare? Learn about the moon ’ s orbit, tilt, and the umbra! The lesson contains videos that are interesting to learners of all ages!

SOLAR ECLIPSE LESSON PLAN

THIS WEEK’S TOTAL SPOTLIGHT

Ms. JeQuithia

This week we want to spotlight our very own super mom, Ms. JeQuithia!

Ms JeQuithia wears many hats at LLA, and we don't mean just the brain hat she made with our learners in her STEM class On top of being our amazing STEM educator, she is also our Executive Assistant - the silent force behind everything that happens at LLA!

If that's not enough, she does all of this while chasing after her toddler, or carrying her on her back!

Ms JeQuithia loves all things science, including the science of food! Some of you may not know that Ms JeQuithia is actually a Nutritionist (NDTR) and a Nutrition Coach She creates delicious meal plans, as well as teaches and offers helpful advice to promote healthy eating habits, even for picky eaters!

Thank you Ms JeQuithia for everything you do for LLA!

COMING UP

DON’T MISS OUT ON A SOLAR ECLIPSE WATCH PARTY NEAR YOU!

AT THE EPICCENTRAL!

Come out and experience this one in a lifetime moment at EpicCentral!

Enjoy live music from Bandolero, hands-on activities & more while you wait on the total solar eclipse to happen!

Don't have glasses? Don't worry you can purchase some glasses the day of from Visit Grand Prairie

LEVITT PAVILION LAWN

Admission is free and there will be a live DJ, food trucks, and free commemorative solar eclipse glasses for the first 3,000 guests. Open seating is available on the lawn Please bring blankets and lawn chairs

SOLAR-BRATION

Join the UTA campus in watching and celebrating the total eclipse on Monday, April 8. Leading up to the main event, there will be several events and activities planned.

RIVER LEGACY

Come experience the Solar Eclipse with all of us here at River Legacy Nature Center. For only $8 you will receive eclipse glasses, 2 bottles of water, plus special access to a reserved eclipse viewing area, activities, AND the Discovery Room

LEVY EVENT PLAZA AND HERITAGE PARK.

To make the most of this once-in-alifetime event, Irving is offering a Total Eclipse in the Park Party at two locations: Levy Event Plaza and Heritage Park

Both Events will feature:

Food Trucks/Vendors

Selfie Stations

Music

Complimentary Eclipse Glasses

AGES 3-7

LEADING LITTLE ARROWS’ WEEKLY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse

by Kate Allen Fox and Khoa Le

This poetic book is a delightful read for both children and adults It offers a glimpse into the few moments of a solar eclipse. The beautiful illustrations showcase the magic that happens on our planet during an eclipse

AGES 8-11

Every Soul a Star

By Wendy Mass

AGES 12+

Three teenagers from different walks of life meet at the Moon Shadow Camp Ground on the day of the solar eclipse and form an unlikely friendship. The beauty and magic of the eclipse gets them discussing what is important in life This book is perfect for both boys and girls, and what we love about this book, is that one of the characters is a homeschooler!

Mia's Solar Eclipse Adventure

by Toya D. Wilson

Mia is a 12 - year old girl who is excited about the upcoming 2024 solar eclipse She wants to understand what the eclipse is all about. This book combines real scientific facts with an engaging storyline, and includes lots of fun extras, such as a solar eclipse glossary, Mia's diary pages, and more!