The Moon in Motion: Monitoring the Moon's Phases
Initial Publication Date: August 25, 2009
Summary
In this lesson, students will be listening to a story on the phases of the moon. Although working with older children, a picture book is still a very beneficial, engaging tool. Students will then view a short video on the moon's phases from TeacherTube.com. (See link in Lesson Attachment or below). Students will then be given their calendar. After discussing its purpose, they will be sent home to record and observe the moon's journey. We will revisit the progress made each day and address any questions that arise. At the completion of our observation time, students will return with their calendars and share, discuss, and develop their conclusions about the moon's journey.
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Learning Goals
Goals for the Lesson are as follows:
1. Observation
2. Application of knowledge presented in class to their calendars
3. Writing as they observe changes and encounter challenges
1. Observation
2. Application of knowledge presented in class to their calendars
3. Writing as they observe changes and encounter challenges
Context for Use
Duration:
-One or two class whole group class periods totaling 45 minutes.
-About one month (at least one complete moon phase)-conducted at home by the students
-Approximately 5 min. each day to check in with the class on their observations
-A Wrap-Up lesson about 45 minutes to allow students to share their calendars, observational notes, and form conclusions.
-One or two class whole group class periods totaling 45 minutes.
-About one month (at least one complete moon phase)-conducted at home by the students
-Approximately 5 min. each day to check in with the class on their observations
-A Wrap-Up lesson about 45 minutes to allow students to share their calendars, observational notes, and form conclusions.
Description and Teaching Materials
Materials:
1. calendar attached in lesson(1/student)
2. Moon Phases videos: (choose one or many!)
a. http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=80659&title=Learn_the_Moon_Phase_Names (Fun—elementary students teaching the phases to a rap song)
b. http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=93456&title=Moon_Phases (Teacher led discussion. A little hard to comprehend.)
c. Streaming.discoveryeducation.com has great videos if you are a member!
3. Moon Book-Suggested: Phases of the Moon by: G. Olson (24 page picture book) OR The Moon Seems to Change by: F. Branley (32 pg pic. bk.) OR The Moon Book by G. Gibbons (28 pg pic. bk.) The Moon by S. Simon (a great non fiction piece with actual photos-good for your classroom library)
Lesson:
1. Students will enter into the room and see books of the moon displayed on surfaces.
2. Engage in a brief discussion where students predict their topic of study.
3. Introduce the book and activity. Place the Calendar sheet on overhead, SmartBoard, or Doc Camera for students to see. Explain its purpose. Return to the Calendar handout after reading the book.
4. Choose a Moon-themed book to read to the class (See list above)
5. Discuss as you read.
6. Upon completion of the book, handout a calendar to students and return to yours that is projected.
7. Show them what they will be doing with marker or other tool by demonstrating how you color the moon.
8. Play short video/s listed above.
9. Return to calendar again. Model, have students practice, and ask for questions.
10. Explain their goal for the next _____(#) of days: "You have a 5 minute homework assignment this month. You will need to observe the moon each night and draw what it looks like on this calendar. Use simple shading to make it clear as to what you saw."
11. Ask for questions. (e.g.: What if it is cloudy? Color what you see. What if it is raining? What if I forget? etc.) Address these as you wish.
12. Revisit their nightly assignment each morning (suggested-during Morning Meeting time).
13. At the end of the time period, students return with their calendars. Have them work in pairs or small groups to share. Let each student share with the class his/her findings. Form a conclusion as a class and create a large class calendar (optional). Conclude the lesson as you choose: a project, quiz/test, etc. Moon Lesson (Microsoft Word 60kB Aug25 09)
1. calendar attached in lesson(1/student)
2. Moon Phases videos: (choose one or many!)
a. http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=80659&title=Learn_the_Moon_Phase_Names (Fun—elementary students teaching the phases to a rap song)
b. http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=93456&title=Moon_Phases (Teacher led discussion. A little hard to comprehend.)
c. Streaming.discoveryeducation.com has great videos if you are a member!
3. Moon Book-Suggested: Phases of the Moon by: G. Olson (24 page picture book) OR The Moon Seems to Change by: F. Branley (32 pg pic. bk.) OR The Moon Book by G. Gibbons (28 pg pic. bk.) The Moon by S. Simon (a great non fiction piece with actual photos-good for your classroom library)
Lesson:
1. Students will enter into the room and see books of the moon displayed on surfaces.
2. Engage in a brief discussion where students predict their topic of study.
3. Introduce the book and activity. Place the Calendar sheet on overhead, SmartBoard, or Doc Camera for students to see. Explain its purpose. Return to the Calendar handout after reading the book.
4. Choose a Moon-themed book to read to the class (See list above)
5. Discuss as you read.
6. Upon completion of the book, handout a calendar to students and return to yours that is projected.
7. Show them what they will be doing with marker or other tool by demonstrating how you color the moon.
8. Play short video/s listed above.
9. Return to calendar again. Model, have students practice, and ask for questions.
10. Explain their goal for the next _____(#) of days: "You have a 5 minute homework assignment this month. You will need to observe the moon each night and draw what it looks like on this calendar. Use simple shading to make it clear as to what you saw."
11. Ask for questions. (e.g.: What if it is cloudy? Color what you see. What if it is raining? What if I forget? etc.) Address these as you wish.
12. Revisit their nightly assignment each morning (suggested-during Morning Meeting time).
13. At the end of the time period, students return with their calendars. Have them work in pairs or small groups to share. Let each student share with the class his/her findings. Form a conclusion as a class and create a large class calendar (optional). Conclude the lesson as you choose: a project, quiz/test, etc. Moon Lesson (Microsoft Word 60kB Aug25 09)
Teaching Notes and Tips
Suggestions to assist in this lesson:
1. Additional calendars at school for those that disappear
2. Preview the books and videos first to determine if they meet your needs
Different from past:
I have never conducted a moon lesson in my teaching experience. This will be a first for me when I use it this year!
1. Additional calendars at school for those that disappear
2. Preview the books and videos first to determine if they meet your needs
Different from past:
I have never conducted a moon lesson in my teaching experience. This will be a first for me when I use it this year!
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Assessment
Students will be completing and earning credit for each night they observe the moon. Half way through or once a week, I may have students bring their calendars in to show progress. Assessments will/may be a quiz with images of different phases and students need to label them.
Standards
Standards: (We teach to the 8th grade standards for our 6th graders.)
A. 8.1.1.2.1-The Nature of Science: Use logical reasoning and imagination to develop descriptions, explanations, predictions and models based on evidence.
B. 8.3.3.1.5-Earth & Space Science: Use the predictable motions of the Earth around its own axis and around the sun, and of the moon around the Earth, to explain day length, the phases of the moon, and eclipses.
A. 8.1.1.2.1-The Nature of Science: Use logical reasoning and imagination to develop descriptions, explanations, predictions and models based on evidence.
B. 8.3.3.1.5-Earth & Space Science: Use the predictable motions of the Earth around its own axis and around the sun, and of the moon around the Earth, to explain day length, the phases of the moon, and eclipses.