Investigating Moon Phases: Making a lunar flipbook
Initial Publication Date: August 5, 2009
Summary
After investigating the lunar phases as part of the Foss Kit on the Sun and the Moon, an additional activity would be to make a moon flip book to illustrate the different phases. Students will cut out pre-printed pictures of the different phases, put them in order and staple the pages into a flip book.
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Learning Goals
This activity is designed to help the student identify and name the phases of the moon in the order that they would appear. Vocabulary such as waxing crescent, first quarter moon, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter and waning crescent would be reinforced by this activity. This activity would provide a visual picture of the various moon phases in a hand held book.
Context for Use
I plan to use this activity with a classroom of 28 children. My students will have already been introduced to and studied about the lunar phases and the vocabulary. I will allot approximately 45 minuted for the students to make their books. Students will need a Moon Phase template, scissors, a stapler, and crayons. This activity will take place during my science time.
Description and Teaching Materials
In this lesson students will be constructing a flipbook about the different lunar phases. Students will have been previously introduced to the lunar phases with the vocabulary and will be observing and recording the lunar phases on a separate calendar at home. A large poster display of the lunar phases should be visible in the classroom for the students to refer to.
Book construction:
1. Students will cut along the dotted lines of each moon phase. As each page is cut they should initial the back.
2. Students will order the phase pages according to the classroom moon phase chart.
3. Students should align the right sides of the book and staple on the cover page.
4. Students will flip through the pages to see the changing phases. lunar flipbook (Acrobat (PDF) 937kB Aug5 09)
Book construction:
1. Students will cut along the dotted lines of each moon phase. As each page is cut they should initial the back.
2. Students will order the phase pages according to the classroom moon phase chart.
3. Students should align the right sides of the book and staple on the cover page.
4. Students will flip through the pages to see the changing phases. lunar flipbook (Acrobat (PDF) 937kB Aug5 09)
Teaching Notes and Tips
Tips:
1. Run the books off on tag board paper.
2. Have students initial pages to avoid confusion.
I have never done this activity with students but I feel they can be successful.
1. Run the books off on tag board paper.
2. Have students initial pages to avoid confusion.
I have never done this activity with students but I feel they can be successful.
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Assessment
If the students use the vocabulary and can order the pictures of the lunar phases they will have demonstrated mastery.
Standards
3.3.3.1.1.-The Universe
3.3.3.2.2.- The Universe
3.3.3.2.2.- The Universe