DOI

https://doi.org/10.62812/XXXXXX

Document Type

Curriculum Resource

Publication Version

In Review

Publication Date

Summer 6-10-2026

Keywords

Moon Phases, Earth Rotation, Natural Rhythms, Planting by the Moon, Kindergarten

Description

In this kindergarten lesson, students become "Sky Explorers" as they investigate the patterns and rhythms of the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Through storytelling, movement activities, Oreo Moon modeling, outdoor observations, and hands-on exploration, students learn how Earth's rotation creates day and night and how the Moon changes appearance through predictable phases. Students explore the Lakota concepts of Wí (Sun), Haŋwí (Moon), and Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ (We Are All Related) while making connections between natural cycles, food systems, and plant growth. Students discover how people have long observed the Moon as a natural calendar and how farmers and gardeners use seasonal patterns to guide planting and harvesting activities. By connecting sky observations to their local environment in Norris, South Dakota, students develop an appreciation for nature's rhythms, Indigenous knowledge, and the interconnected relationships among the Sun, Moon, Earth, plants, and people.

Pages

8

Type

Lesson Plan

Format

PDF

Language

English

Publisher

Open Prairie, South Dakota State University

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Download

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.