Astronomy

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Astronomy

The Waldorf approach to astronomy is quite different compared to an astronomy unit study. When doing our astronomy unit studies, we used the Charlotte Mason approach using living books to create our unit studies and develop our lessons. As long as the book was engaging and beautiful, I would include it as a read aloud. Often the content of these astronomy books did not support our astronomy main lesson block.

Astronomy is presented in Grade 6 in a Waldorf setting. Generally astronomy is broken up into two blocks with the first block, focusing on the constellations and their stories. Since the astronomy block follows the Ancient Rome and Ancient Greek blocks, the stories of the constellations will be familiar to the student. The second block of astronomy relies on biographies of Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, and Copernicus among others. As the students learn about these astronomers, we explore the discoveries and they learn about the geometry of the sky.

We learn about a heliocentric model of our solar system compared to a Ptolemaic model, which was universally accepted throughout the Middle Ages. Lessons on the three laws of motion as discovered by Johannes Kepler are not only delivered orally, but are experienced through hands-on activities. Illustrations accompany all of the astronomy lessons and a main lesson book with blue pages as well as blank white pages is a common notebook that is used for the middle school Astronomy student.  

A unique feature of the Waldorf approach to astronomy, as well as other sciences, is that the study focuses on what the student can perceive with his or her own senses. Students learn about the stars in relation to the Constellations, and students learn about the planets in relation to the motion as seen from earth. Specifics about the terrain, atmosphere and duration of day and night on each of the planets is not explored during the Grade 6 astronomy main lesson block. Those concepts are saved for high school and beyond.

There were times I put together an astronomy unit, robust with living books and projects which served multiple ages during a single unit. Other times I put together an astronomy main lesson block that adheres to the Waldorf pedagogy more closely in which our block consisted of more lessons rather than hands-on projects. 

Welcome to the Astronomy Post!

You can find resources here that complement an Waldorf astronomy main lesson block or materials you may use to create your own Astronomy unit study. Is there a difference?

Yes! When astronomy is taught in the Waldorf way in grade 6, it's taught from the perspective of the child, his senses and what's observed from earth. The constellations and their stories are central, then the movement of the planets from the observable surface of the planet.

There is awe and wonder every step of the way. When teaching from a unit study approach, often the planets are looked at in detail; their composition, revolution and number of moons are explored.

Often models of the solar system are detailed from the position of being outside the realm of the solar system. While these facts are fascinating, they are not as relatable, engaging or meaningful as the study of what can be seen, perceived and experienced by the student.

Astronomy

  • Resources & Chalk Drawings

    in the resource section, you will find the books and materials we used to put together our astronomy unit studies as well as our astronomy main lessons. Astronomy unit studies are which with living books, while our astronomy main lesson block contain fewer resources that support a Waldorf approach

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  • Lessons

    Our astronomy lessons primarily focus on the world of curriculum by Live Education and adhere to the Waldorf pedagogy. These lessons were presented to students in middle school, grades 6-8. 

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  • Projects & Activities

    One of the most enjoyable waste to learn is through hands on projects and activities. Granted they take more time to set up, execute, and clean up. For this reason, we may only get to a few projects within one unit. One way to increase your projects and activities is to use premade kits when available.

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Astronomy Resources

  • The difference between the Waldorf and a Unit Study Approach to Astronomy

    The Waldorf approach to Astronomy comes after the main lesson block on Mineralogy and before the physical sciences of physics and chemistry. Prior to Mineralogy and Astronomy, the young student will be exposed to the natural world through stories and experience.

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  • Astronomy Unit Study for Middle School

    If a Waldorf approach to Astronomy isn’t what you’re looking for, maybe a unit study is just right. You may choose any duration for a unit study. You may choose to include other resources or subject areas to make your unit study holistic, or you may choose to keep it focused.

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  • Astronomy Unit for Elementary

    Astronomy can be a compelling and imaginative study in which even young children can delight. Putting together a unit study for elementary aged student may include a variety of picture books and simple hands-on projects, but you may also want to include some biographies and games as well.

    Watch It

  • How to put Together an Astronomy Unit Study

    Putting together a new unit is always fun, but I have to admit that as the years go by and we circle back to familiar units, a new problem seems to emerge. Choice. What items from my own collection do I choose this time around?

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  • Astronomy Curriculum Review

    For the first time in a loooong time we actually finished a unit is the time I scheduled for it with minimal trailing into the next main lesson block. This review covers the materials we used for the first of a two part Astronomy Main Lesson block in which we covered material from our Live Education grade 6 Astronomy book. 

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  • Astronomy Chalk Drawing

    We just started our Waldorf Main Lesson Block for Astronomy. And while we are primarily following the Waldorf pedagogy, we do take liberties often. For this block, we are adding in books on the planets during our opening activities. We are currently fascinated with Mars, Neptune and the moons of Jupiter. For that reason, we have included some additional astronomy books for this block.

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  • Books for a Science Unit

    I’m sharing some of the books that complement a science unit. I have other books (in addition to these) that make up the bulk of a physics or astronomy unit, but I was asked specifically for fiction or read-alouds for a physics unit and while these are only very loosely based on physics (except for a few like Alice in Quantumland), I think they make good additions.

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Astronomy Lessons

  • Astronomy lesson Sun, Moon, Stars for keeping time

    Astronomy lesson Sun, Moon, Stars for keeping time

    For our first lesson in astronomy, we chose to include a religious aspect by adding verses from the Quran as part of the content. In the, Quran 6:96 Allah says, "He is the One Who makes the dawn break; He has set the night for rest, and the sun and moon for reckoning."

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  • Latitude, Longitude and the North Star | Waldorf Astronomy Lesson

    In this lesson for our astronomy main lesson block, we introduce the concept of the imaginary lines of latitude and longitude. Included in this lesson is a religious component. We included verse from the Quran, Surah 6 ayat 97.

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  • The Chronometer and Age of Exploration | Waldorf Astronomy Lesson

    In 1761, John Harrison invented the chronometer. This device allowed sailors to accurately measure time while on the open sea. Thermometer was able to keep time even during stormy weather when the boat was rocking back-and-forth, and even with temperature changes or pressure changes.

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  • Earth's Axis | Waldorf Main Lesson | Astronomy

    We did this lesson three ways. The first part of the lesson is an oral delivery of the lesson and explaining about the earth seasons and the earth's axis. This is still quite abstract for the student, even though the student is in middle school and is prepared to take on more abstract concepts.

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  • Four Seasons of Southern California | Waldorf Astronomy Lesson

    The four seasons, as experienced in Southern California are different than in other parts of the world or the country. While there may be some similarities, I was really excited to focus specifically on how we experience Southern California weather throughout the four seasons, especially in the chaparral.

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  • Total Solar Eclipse

    Having just experienced a partial solar eclipse, we used it to work on an Astronomy lesson prior to the formal start of this main lesson block. In the video I share a bit about the Muslim prayer during an eclipse. It is a special prayer that is offered in congregation at the masjid, and read aloud.

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  • Homeschool Lesson | Astronomy

    What do you mean every lesson isn't 'perfect'? Why would you show such a failure, I mean, what's the point? I had high hopes for this lesson, I mean after all, I successfully did it the last time we did the main lesson block. So what changed? I

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Projects & Activities

  • How to Make Astronomy Trivia Flashcards

    Making flash cards is probably one of the easiest homeschool DIYs. But I'll admit, if there's a way to add art to the project (and complicate it), you can be sure I'll find that way. Watercoloring the planets for this project is easy and enjoyable.

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  • Solar System: A Homeschool Project

    For our astronomy unit, we made these fold-out solar system books using two 10"x30" strips of light-weight watercolor paper cut from a large sheet. We adhered them together to make a fold-out book.

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  • Hanging Solar System Mobile | Astronomy Project

    We got this hanging solar system mobile project from the book "Classical Kids: An Activity Guide to Life in Ancient Greece and Rome" by Laurie Carlson. This activity works well for an astronomy unit or for an ancient Rome unit.

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  • Tycho Brahe Quadrant

    Ever wonder how the astronomers of the past observed the stars and planets? The basic components of the instruments are rather simple, and with a few items you probably already have around the house, you can construct a rudimentary quadrant to record the ascension of the stars and planets and track their path across the sky.

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  • Galileo: A Homeschool Astronomy Project

    For our astronomy unit we made these interactive books. We read the book "Along came Galileo" by Jeanne Bendick. We recreated the demonstrations Galileo made in the 1600's: dropping two objects of different weights and timing the swings of a pendulum. We made the books interactive with movable models. The kids love these books!

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  • Phases of the Moon with Cookies and a Game

    Edible learning is probably the most memorable of all educational experiences. It's not just hands-on, it takes all your senses into account when food's involved. You touch the cookie, smell the cream, hear it crunch in your mouth and then taste the yummy goodness. I'm sure you've seen this phases of the moon project from cookies and today we add a little twist to the activity.

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  • Phases of the Moon | Nature Watch Kit

    I'm sure you could DIY this Phases of the Moon memory game, but as much as I'm a crafting homeschool guru, I take full advantage of pre-assembled kits to make doing these kinds of projects easy and fast. There are certainly benefits to making things on your own.

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  • Phases of the Moon | Painted Wood Craft

    The study of the moon and its phases is not restricted to the month of Ramadan, but it seems that every year, that's when we focus our attention on this subject area. Each year we seem to add one more project or activity to help in our understanding of this subject.

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  • Phases of The Moon Peg Doll Tutorial

    These are probably the cutest peg dolls I've ever made! I actually made a complete lunar phase set to last an entire month! Granted it did get a little tedious and some crescents and moons look awfully similar to one another, but we got a complete set!

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Astronomy Resources

& Chalk Drawings

The Difference Between the Waldorf & A Unit Study Approach to Astronomy

The Waldorf approach to Astronomy comes after the main lesson block on Mineralogy and before the physical sciences of physics and chemistry. Prior to Mineralogy and Astronomy, the young student will be exposed to the natural world through stories and experience. After interacting with the natural world through play or nature walks, the child is introduced to more formal learning in Zoology in Grade 4, and Botany in grade 5.

The life sciences are introduced first to the student. Just like animal materials were introduced first in the younger grades with wool for knitting, followed by plant based materials later on and finally the mineral kingdom with metal work in high school, so too is the Waldorf child introduced to the Animal Kingdom in Zoology in Grade 4, followed by The Plant World with Botany in Grade 5. Also in Grade 5, the Waldorf student has their first formal introduction to geometry. In grade 6, the Waldorf student continues with geometry while being introduced to the Mineral kingdom with the formal lessons in Mineralogy. From our home on Earth, we look up to the the heavens and the sky above.

The grade 6 the student now gazes up at the heavens and ponders the beauty of the sky and stars above. In all the lessons, Waldorf students are taught what can be seen or experienced through their senses while they are young. The unseen world is held until near or post puberty. With the introduction of Astronomy, once again the student receives lessons based on what is observable to the student. The first lessons are on the constellations, the seasons, the rise and setting of the sun and differences experienced in understanding time and season for various locations on the planet. Introducing Astronomy through the constellation allows a gentle, story driven, imagery rich experience before moving into the the history of astronomy, biographies of astronomers, discoveries that were made, data collected and finally the three laws of motion discovered by Johannes Kepler. 

In the Waldorf approach to introducing astronomy to the grade 6 or grade 7 student, students are taught the stories behind the Constellations. Some of these stories will be familiar to the student having previously taken Greek and Roman histories and mythologies. Likewise, this is a great opportunity to introduce diversity into the curriculum by sharing stories from other cultures and peoples regarding the Constellations.

Following the introduction of the astronomy block and the stories of the constellations, we may move into observing the sun in relation to the student's position on the planet. The sunrise and sunset is different depending on the time of year. The sunrise and sunset also differ, depending on where you are in the world. At the equator, you can easily tell the time of day as sunrise and sunset are near nearly the same every day. But you can’t tell the season as well, because at the equator there’s a little distinction between the seasons.

Conversely, closer to the poles, you might have several months of darkness in the winter when the sun does not even rise above the horizon. And, in the summer, you might have several months of sunlight as the sun does not set below the horizon. Instead in the summer, the sun circles the sky, but stays low in the horizon. Near the poles, you may not be able to tell the time of day, but you can definitely tell the season. And then, everywhere in between the equator or the polar region, we have a balance. 

Following the lessons of the observable sky, the sun, the moon, latitude and longitude, we move into the study of the planets. But the study of the planets will be different than a conventional approach to astronomy. Instead of learning about the terrain and atmosphere of the planets, we are learning about their orbits. With a simple quadrant and telescope we can learn so much about the night sky. With stronger telescopes and space technology, we have come closer to the stars and planets than we ever were before. While, this is very exciting to learn about and to teach to the middle school student, the Waldorf approach would keep us focused on what is observable to the student.

Waldorf Resources

Astronomy Unit Study for Middle School

If a Waldorf approach to Astronomy isn't what you're looking for, maybe a unit study is just right. You may choose any duration for a unit study. You may choose to include other resources or subject areas to make your unit study holistic, or you may choose to keep it focused. However you choose to do your unit study, a lot of homeschoolers find it beneficial to have a spine text to keep their unit on track. While I have both used such a text in the past, I also have done so without one. If you choose to have a spine, I have included a number of books that would suit that option. Then, I include several, often too many, additional books to support the main text. I often homeschool multiple ages (with the exception of the last couple years of homeschooling), so including younger options like pictures books along with grade level options for middle school as been a practice of mine for many years, even decades.

Resources

Astronomy Unit for Elementary

Astronomy can be a compelling and imaginative study in which even young children can delight. Putting together a unit study for elementary aged student may include a variety of picture books and simple hands-on projects, but you may also want to include some biographies and games as well. The resources shared are suitable for all ages, but may be especially enjoyed by students grade 1-4. While some of the resources I have collected over the years are outdated and hard to find, the resources for elementary are newer and hopefully easier to source. If not, I recommend getting books that are similar rather than exact, especially because often outdated books contain material that’s been revised. Some of the books I have for our astronomy unit date back to the 1980s and 1990s! While we navigate the outdated material with ease and humor, I advise purchasing newer resources when possible, and especially in subject areas where modern technology provides new and fascinating discoveries.

Resources