Transcript Phases Of The Moon - Welcome

Phases Of The Moon
By: Sara Feldkamp and
Megan Kenyon
NGSS
1-ESS1-1. Use observations of the sun, moon,
and stars to describe patterns that can be
predicted. [Clarification Statement: Examples
of patterns could include that the sun and
moon appear to rise in one part of the sky,
move across the sky, and set; and stars other
than our sun are visible at night but not during
the day.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment
of star patterns is limited to stars being seen
at night and not during the day.]
The teaching process
Lesson Overview: After the completion of the lesson,
students will be able to…
 Dramatize the different phases of the moon, using a
styrofoam ball and flashlight.
 Apply their knowledge of the phases by drawing their
observations in the night sky.
 This lesson is one day out of many lessons based on the
standard. Allow at least one month for unit.
List of Materials:
One ping pong ball per group
1 flashlight per group
The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons
Phase One: Engage
This will be one lesson out of a month-long
lesson cycle based on the standard.
Teacher will ask students a question, “How
many phases of the moon are there?” She
will record their answers on the white board.
Then she will elaborate on other questions
based on the standard. Teacher will then
read the students the book,
The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons.
Gibbons, Gail. The Moon Book. New York: Holiday House, 1997. Print.
Phase Two: Explore
 Students will create the phases of the moon by shining a
flashlight onto ping pong balls.
 Explain that there are eight phases, but we’re only looking
four phases.
 Show Youtube video (baseball analogy):
http://youtu.be/LaqrQyTm9B4?t=1m59s
 Split students up into groups: moon rotator, flashlight holder,
artist, writer
 Flashlights need to be about a foot away from ping pong
balls.
 Students sketch what they observe with what they see.
Phase Three: Explain
Students will discuss in learning groups
questions from The Moon Book:
Where does the moon get its light from?
When does a solar eclipse occur?
What are the effects the moon has on oceans?
What eclipse causes the moon to glow red?
How long does it take for the moon to go
through all eight phases?
Phase Four: Elaborate
Students will take their knowledge and
apply it to a month-long exploration by
documenting what they observe in the
night sky with the moon. Throughout the
month, they will sketch the moon in their
journal and write down what they see.
Phase Five: Evaluate
Students will be evaluated based on their
moon journals, participation in activities and
discussions, and knowledge of the topic by
a weekly ticket-out-the-door.