What Is the Difference Between a Solar and Lunar Eclipse?

Are your students curious about eclipses? When addressing this topic, you can tell your students that the main difference between a solar and lunar eclipse is the relative position of the Sun, Earth and moon. During a solar eclipse, the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, blocking the Sun’s light and casting a shadow on the Earth. During a lunar eclipse, the Earth passes between the Sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon and giving it a reddish-brown tint.

If you are looking to add to your printable poster collection, Teach Starter has created a set of beautifully designed posters that show the differences between and solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse.

How to Make the Most of Your Solar and Lunar Eclipse Diagram

1. Print the posters and display them in your classroom for students to reference when doing independent work.
2. Print the posters, slip them into a clear sleeve, and use them in your guided groups as a reminder.
3. Print the posters, slide them into a clear sleeve, and hang them on a ring as a reference tool for a learning center. 

We’ve also come up with bonus ways to turn posters into interactive tools that really make your lessons stick! 

📂 Place copies in students’ homework folders for reference. 

🧠 Test students’ memories by showing them the poster, then hiding it and having them tell you what they remember.

✅ Incorporate posters into your lesson wrap-up: Students write on a sticky note what they learned from the lesson and place it on the poster. 

Before You Download

This resource prints as a PDF. Please use the Download button to access the full-colour version.