Abstract
<jats:p>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.</jats:p>