Details and Share
All About the Moon
This lesson is designed for help students understand the importance of the moon. Through multiple activities and demonstrations, students will learn the phases of the moon, what they look like, how it’s lit, and how long it takes for the moon to revolve around the earth.
Grade Level: K - 2nd
Subject:
Length of Time: About 45 Minutes
Objectives & Outcomes
Students will be able to explain the different shapes and phases of the moon, spell and draw each phase, model the moon revolving around the earth, and state multiple facts about the moon in relation to the sun, earth, and planets.
Materials Needed
- flashlight
- styrofoam ball
- computer with internet access and projector
- popsicle stick
- Oreo’s
- napkins
- book
- On the Moon by Anna Milbourne
Procedure
Opening to Lesson
Students give ideas and participate accordingly, as I fill out the blank K-W-L organizer as a whole class, using large chart paper.
Body of Lesson
Direct Teaching
Watch: the StoryBots video on YouTube called “Time to Shine” (The Moon Song) as students listen and follow along, (CFU: ask questions throughout video, ask students to summarize video, talk about their favorite parts, what they already knew, if they learned anything etc.)
Guided Practice 1
Demonstrate the phases of the moon using a flashlight, Styrofoam ball, and pencil: Press the Styrofoam ball (moon) into the pencil and have one student hold it in their hand away from their body. The other student stands about 5 feet away, holds the flashlight (sun) above their head and shines it directly onto the Styrofoam ball. The student holding the moon slowly turns away from the sun, keeping the moon out in front of them. As the student turns, have them stop every few seconds to observe how much of the moon they can see until they have completely turned around and are again facing the flashlight (sun).
(CFU: This can be done as a whole class or in pairs and it works best to do this in a darkened room.)
Guided Practice 2
Oreo phases of the moon: Students untwist the top and bottom cookies from the Oreos. Using a popsicle stick, students scrape away the white filling to create each of the moon’s phases on different cookies. (CFU: discuss the phases of the moon and have students label each one.)
Independent Practice
Phases of the Moon worksheet: using a simple worksheet found online, or one made from scratch, have students color in each phase of the moon. (CFU: If students are not ready to learn all of the phases, discuss the different shapes of the moon: new moon, crescent, quarter, and full moon. They can still make these moon shapes with Oreos and color in the shapes of the moon on the page provided.)
Closing
Read: On the Moon by Anna Milbourne: have students either listen and follow alongpopcorn read or silently read. (CFU: Select students summarize the story)
Assessment & Evaluation
Through guided questions, close monitoring and informal observation; the teacher will be able to assess student’s ability and understanding of the subject being introduced. Through individually assessing during independent practice and reviewing during guided practice the teacher will be able to evaluate students.
Modification & Differentiation
Students may work in groups or individually in order to complete their assignments. In order to accommodate for all students, allow extra time to review for lower students and extra worksheets to occupy the time of advanced students. You can also offer some students a worksheet with blank moon shapes, and others a worksheet with the phases already drawn on the moon shapes.
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