Phases
of the Moon
MATERIALS
For
each student: Yellow and black construction paper (8 x 11)
-
Glue or tape
-
Scissors
-
Styrofoam ball (size of tennis ball)
-
Pencil or dowel to hold styrofoam ball
- Set
of Moon phase cards (attached)
- Per
group, light source (large flashlight, projector, lamp with
bright light bulb)
-
Large white ball
ENGAGEMENT
Student/Parent
Activity/ Observing the Moon
Students and parents together observe and record the Moon's appearance
for eight nights. Younger children may draw pictures of their
observations or create shadow boxes withtheir parent's help. Older
children may draw illustrations and/or write in journals.
Classroom
Activity: Construction Cutouts of the Moon
Instruct students to cut a moon out of yellow construction paper
and glue it to a black background. Have students tape pictures
to a wall or blackboard visible to everyone. When all of the pictures
are on display, ask the students to comment. The pictures should
show the moon in different phases from the nature of the students'
memories or interpretations.
Encourage
students to discuss pre-set knowledge about the moon and its phases.
EXPLORATION
Grades K through 2
- Position
a large white ball on a dowel (or have a student hold it)
elevated above the audience.
- Shine
a light source (large flashlight, projector) on the ball.
- Tell
the children to pretend that the ball is the moon and they
are sitting in their back yards looking at it.
- Give
the children a set of Moon phase cards.
- Tell
them to choose the picture that looks most like the view of
the Moon from where they are sitting.
- Rotate
the ball counter-clockwise a quarter of the way and ask the
students to match the card with the view.
- Continue
moving counter clockwise until students have recognized each
phase.
Grades 3 through 6
- Create
a Moon by placing a Styrofoam ball (size of a tennis ball)
on the end of a dowel or pencil.
- Use
a lamp with a bright bulb and the shade removed as a sun source.
Students' heads represent Earth.
- With
the lamp in the center of the room, have each student hold
the Moon in his/ her hand at arm’s length, directly in front
of his/her eyes.
- Have
students experiment with level of positioning. The moon usually
appears above or below the Sun as viewed from Earth.
- Have
students begin with the “new moon” phase and gradually turn
their bodies counter-clock-wise (to the left) in place, moving
about 45 degrees (1/8) with each turn until the new Moon phase
is regained (a full circle has been completed).
EXPLANATION
The Moon's phases are determined by its position relative to Earth
and the Sun.
Grades K through 2
- Have
each student create a face from his/her favorite moon phase
and draw it in the journal.
Grades 3 through 6
- Have
the students sketch the phases they observed as they rotated
in their circles and write a reflection in their journals.
The reflections should compare the accuracy of the classroom
activity with their eight day field observations of the moon
and include a prediction of the Moon's behavior for the remainder
of the month.
ELABORATION
- Write
and perform a "Luney Tune." Younger students may
work as a group with the teacher's guidance to create a Moon
song. Older students may work independently or in small groups
to write and stage a Moon song, rap, or chorale reading.
Add
one complete set of Moon phase cutouts to a school portfolio plus
a Luney Tune selection.
EVALUATION
- Categorize
the Moon pictures created at the beginning of the lesson by
the Moon phase and the order of phases.
- Add
phases that may have been missing in the original activity.
- Younger
students may do this as a group with the aid of the teacher.
Add one complete set of moon phase cutouts to school portfolio
plus a Luney Tune selection.
OBJECTIVES
-
Students will be able to state the order of the Moon's phases
from one full moon to the next.
-
Students will be able to demonstrate how the Moon's position
relative to Earth creates the phases.
CONNECTION
TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE STANDARDS:
Grades K through 4
- Develop
an understanding of objects in the sky
-
Develop an understanding of changes in the earth and sky
-
Develop an understanding of the position and motion of
objects.
Grades 5 through 8
- Develop
an understanding of the earth in the solar system.
CONNECTION
TO THE NATIONAL MATHEMATICS STANDARDS:
Grades
K through 4
- Describe,
model, draw, and classify shapes.
-
Develop spatial sense.
Grades
5 through 8
- Identify,
describe, compare, and classify geometric figures.
- Visualize
and represent geometric figures with special attention to
developing spatial sense.
- Explore
transformations of geometric figures.
