Moon phases ideas for teaching, resources for lesson plans. Give each student a copy of the moon phases chart to take home. It is hands on and interactive and will be a science activity that your students will remember. Draw each prediction of the moon phases on your paper. Moon phase when half of the moon is illuminated by sunlight and the illuminated portion of the moon is increasing. Oreo cookie activity to show kids how the moon has different shapes and phases. In this phases of the moon lesson plan, 3rd graders experiment with a ball and a flashlight to explore the phases of the moon. Check out this moon phase slider and some favorite books about the moon. This includes a coloring worksheet with the accurate names for the phases of the moon. The moon phase trek lesson plan educators reference desk. In preparation for this activity, discuss moon phases with students.
Read descriptions of each phase to the class from the moon book and. Carry the beauty of moonlight and project it anywhere with this convenient moon torch. Driveby science moon phase activity stanford solar center. We have been reading some books about the moon lately see end of post for three of them and i have been working on some moon activities to accompany our reading the first activity is our moon phase viewer.
Demonstrate reflection by shining a flashlight on a mirror and showing the reflection on a wall. Moon phases flip book lunar and planetary institute. Have students cut out each of the 8 pages in the book. Apr 12, 2016 my 2yearold granddaughter, zoey, has been in love with the moon for quite awhile now.
They take part in a fishbowl think aloud to encourage conversation and questioning from one another. Alongside the moon rows, i had planted several rows of beets when the moon chart clearly said, do not plant root crops at this time. We are well into our oak meadow grade one curriculum now. Teaching the phases of the moon just got a little easier. The recorders take note of the amount of light reflecting from the moon with regard to the different locations of the moon and the earth throughout the activity.
Driveby science a series of quick activities for informal. Students create moon logs to record and sketch how the moon looks each night in the sky. Assessmentfirmup ordering moon phase imagery activity this activity is inspired by one originally taught by dennis schatz to the astronomical society of the. Learning about the moon and stars can be a fun activity for you and your children. The moon phase when the moons entire illuminated side is.
Toys from trash moon activities, toys from trash, flip book. Nasa jpl this moon phase activity allows students to act out the phases of the moon in about 30 minutes. Students construct a model using construction paper, chalk, tape, flashlight, scissors, string, and a. Ericas students used their science notebooks to record observations of the moon, formulate initial ideas about. Ask participants where the light on the moon comes from the sun c. Moon learning activities and book suggestions lessons. When it is more than halfilluminated, it is said to be in gibbous phase. I shuddered in my shoes when i planted these seeds. An expert answers common student questions, including why the moon changes shape, how it affects our tides, and the possibility of humans ever living there. This is hard to visualize, but you can try it with a ball for the moon and a flashlight for the sun, and you as. This includes my favorite activity, building a moon phase. Jan 16, 20 join rick as he and his students use a model to demonstrate the eight phases of the moon. Students can keep a journal of what the moon looks like each night for a month, create a picture book for younger children explaining why the moon goes through phases and what the moon looks like for each phase, research about moon landings, or explore myths and folklore pertaining to each full moon during the year.
The teach junkie physical science section is growing in numbers of pictured tutorials with free lesson plans for how to teach science so you. When we cant see the moon at all during the new moon phase, the moon is positioned between the earth and the sun so that the bright part of the moon is facing completely away from the earth. Sep 03, 2009 my son and i are enjoying our time spent learning about the moon. In this lunar phases activity, 3rd graders work in groups to create the moon and the earth out of playdoh and use a flashlight to demonstrate how the phases of the moon occur. Here are 21 super moon phases activities and resources including a. The moon shines because its reflecting light from the sun. May 01, 2015 creating phases of the moon with a flashlight. Make oreo moon phases and use a flashlight to explain why the moon changes. Make a photocopy of the moon phase experiment pages 1114. Assessmentfirmup ordering moon phase imagery activity this activity is inspired by one originally taught by dennis schatz to the astronomical society of the pacifics project astro participants. This can be a very effective way to show the light and dark areas of the moon and i love that they used cookies to show all the phases in a full cycle im sure everyone will volunteer to help clean up after this activity is over. Then, in the associated activity, student pairs use styrofoam balls and lamps to act it out, reproducing the moon phases. Join rick as he and his students use a model to demonstrate the eight phases of the moon. For easier flipping, paste each one onto a separate index card.
Turn on and point the torch at walls and ceilings at night or in dark rooms to see the moon. In this identifying the phases of the moon activity, students read descriptions of phases of the moon and draw pictures of the moon showing those phases. Power the torch with 3 ag button batteries included with the torch. In light of publishing my first childrens book about the moon, i decided to update our delicious moon phase project made with cooki. During our first 4 weeks we have been observing and learning about moon phases. Science teaching junkie, inc clearest way to teach moon. Students cut the flip book and see the moon change over a 29 day cycle. Which phase is the moon in for each groups drawing. In fact, the month is based on the changing moonits a moonth. As an introduction to this activity, view the newtons apple video about the phases of the moon. Along with drawing the moon phase,students record the time of day and direction in which they view the moon. After they asked how the moon shrunk and grew, i knew it was the perfect time to teach them about the moons phases with this ohsoyummy oreo space activity.
My 2yearold granddaughter, zoey, has been in love with the moon for quite awhile now. The 16 page mini book easily explains how the moon phases work. Sometimes it is a big, bright, circle, but, other times, it is only a tiny sliver. For day two, collect tennis balls, soft balls, beach ball, and a flashlight. My kids absolutely love playing with flashlights, so i deliberately included a flashlight in our first moon phases activity. A neat project that i have done with much success is a moon phase book. The sign of the moon plus the phase of the moon at midnight for the listed dates is considered the primary placement for the day in this time zone. Moon phases ideas for teaching, resources for lesson. Emily morgan, author of next time you see the moon, takes you through the phases of the moon in a demonstration that will be easy to. Enjoy hours of fun with this handy 4m kidz labs moon torch kit. When groups are finished, maybe 5 minutes, each group should debrief with itself. A moon calendar that has students observe and draw the phases of the moon. My view of the new moon using the moon phase transporter.
A lesson demonstration using a golf ball, softball and basketball, along with a flashlight, serves as a model to aid in comprehension. Have students put the pages in order from 1 to 8, with 1 on top and 8 on the bottom. Students construct a model using construction paper, chalk, tape, flashlight, scissors, string, and. Phases of the moon lesson plan for 3rd grade lesson planet. This phases of the moon lesson plan is suitable for 3rd grade. Jan 25, 2008 try this activity to see how the moons phases really work. As you do the activity, remind students that what they are doing in 30 minutes takes the moon about 30 days to do. Page 2 moon phases investigation quarter moon has its left side illuminated. The moon appears a little different every day or night, and then begins to repeat its changes of shape or phase each month.
Read descriptions of each phase to the class from the moon book and show corresponding illustrations. Who knew science could be so tasty getting ready to prep the activity, i needed. Demonstrate moon phase exploration activity to class. Copy of the book faces of the moon by bob crelin charlesbridge. This activity is normally done using a clear light bulb placed high in the middle of a circle of participants. Moon phases activity for kids moon phases activity for kids looking for a fun moon phases activity for teaching kids check out this moon phase slider and some favorite books about the moon moon phases activity for kids great for a space lesson finsing the best science fair project idea can be hard. Students learn about the phases of the moon by acting them out. I know this is not a good tutorial with photos and everything and the result is not a. We have all seen the moon change its shape throughout the month as it goes through its phases. Compare your drawings with the moon phases shown on the transparency.
Ask students to flip the pages and observe how the moon changes phases. In 30 minutes, they will act out one complete, 30day, moon cycle. The participant would observe the changes in moon phase as the moon ball orbits their head, the earth. Occurs after the waxing crescent phase and before the waxing gibbous phase. Erica spent a few months exploring phases of the moon with her fifth grade students. Cookie moon phase project victoria washington cookie moon phase project super fun and yummy project for kids studying all about the moon. This is a general list of lunar phase activity dates. Simple science at its best perfect for kindergarten, first grade and second grade. The light bulb would represent the sun, the participants head the earth, and the styrofoam ball the moon. I offered fresh, unstrep cookies after the job was completed. We have been reading some books about the moon lately see end of post for three of them and i have been working on some moon activities to accompany our reading.
In todays lesson, we focus in on the first pattern the moons phases. We used the flashlight along with the moon models we had previously created to show how the sun only lights up one side of the moon at a time. Sep 16, 2014 emily morgan, author of next time you see the moon, takes you through the phases of the moon in a demonstration that will be easy to replicate in your own classroom. Give each group of four students a flashlight, softball, and moon charts. When the moon is full, and we see a full circle of light in the sky, earth is between the moon and the sunthe moons bright side is facing us. Kids will have fun learning about the moon with this free moon phases mini book. Copy the moon phases worksheet if you are using the brainpop movie rather. From there, students create moon phase cards, which is used to track their learning of the moon.
I have chosen an activity that helps students actually see the moon go through its phases, a related text, and a followup way to make and record the phases. Everyone has gazed at the moon, but why does it not always look the same to us. Oreo moon phases activity oreo moon phases, moon activities. Tape a page from the flip book on the back of each student. Moon phases activities free moon activities, oreo moon. The part of the moon we see each night depends on the positions of the earth and moon relative to the sun. This cookie moon phase activity is included in our full moon unit. Moon at a glance suggested books expository narrative the moon by melanie chrismer the moon book by gail gibbons moonday by adam rex drill and practice conceptual activities bingo memory phases of the moon cookies phases of the moon flashlight. Participants will learn what causes the phases of the moon and eclipses.
Phases of the moon using a flashlight and basketball. Montessoriinspired moon activities for toddlers and. Phases of the moon printable oreo moon phases, moon. She adapted lessons from lawrence hall of sciences gems in order to give her students lots of opportunities to answer the essential question. Why does the moon look different on different days. After making a run to the dollar tree and rummaging through our science storeroom to collect the needed supplies to make this, it was pretty inexpensive and so worth every penny. Montessoriinspired moon activities for toddlers and preschoolers. The moon has a fixed and predictable orbit circular pattern around our earth. We do this project after i have read the moon seems to change by franklyn branley andor papa, please get the moon for me.
Emily morgan, author of next time you see the moon, takes you through the phases of the moon in a demonstration that will be easy to replicate in your own classroom. Because the visualization in this activity can be difficult for some students, consider doing this activity with a smaller group while the rest of the class works on a moon phase chart or another project, or do this activity more than once. Discuss the phases of the moon and show pictures of each phase full moon, crescent moon, half moon, new moon. After the completion of the activity, students complete a written reflection. Make a moon phase viewer books and activities for kids. Moon phases investigation california academy of sciences. In this lesson, the moon and its phases, students begin with a brainstorming activity about the moon to activate their prior knowledge. After you have created the transporter, you are now ready for the viewing. When my son brought home his phases of the moon project from school, he wasnt very happy. I am excited to partner with oak meadow to bring you these fabulous moon activities for kids. I believe the oreo is a staple for teaching moon phases. Usually we think of the moon as having four phases, but there are actually twentyeight. Looking for a fun moon phases activity for teaching kids. Montessori phases of the moon activities gift of curiosity.
In this activity, your child will put together his or her own flip book of the moons phases. The moons phases are caused by its orbit around the earth. Look for the new moon phase the completely black moon for. Good for science regarding the solar system, earth, sun, moon, or a space theme. This cookie moon phase activity uses oreo cookies to show the various phases of the moon. A flashlight held near the moon ball will represent the light from the sun. Assessmentfirmup ordering moon phase imagery activity. It helps to look at a diagram to fully understand the phases of the moon and there is a good one at clear skies on demand. My son and i are enjoying our time spent learning about the moon.
Have them stand facing the sunlamp at noon with the. Students learn about the phases of the moon and apply this knowledge to other fun activities. Book clubs book fairs scholastic education classroom magazines about us. Moon phase sequencing the moonie pokey song flashlight phases of the moon word work game.
Enjoy learning about the moons phases with this handson moon activity for kids. Using one student to hold the flashlight, two to hold the board, and one to get into the moon phase transporter, you can actually see the moon phases lit by the flashlight. Exploring the phases of the moon activity uciobs 5 grade level. Annotation recommended annotation visible only to you. Here are 21 super moon phases activities and resources including a few printables, a song and videos. So ive gathered some montessoriinspired moon activities that work well for toddlers or preschoolers.
Select a dark room for this activity and move desks and other objects out of the way so that students can move around the room freely. Sep 28, 2016 i am excited to partner with oak meadow to bring you these fabulous moon activities for kids. We have found mixandmatch fun flip books templates for different creatures as well as a moving action flip book to. With these firsthand observations, they are ready to figure out how the continuously changing relative positions of the moon, earth and sun. To help your kids learn about the eight phases of the moon, you can do a 3. The moon reflects the light of the sun, but does not make its own. How much brighter is a full moon than the other phases of the moon. Super fun and yummy project for kids studying all about the moon. We also do this after the students have observed the changes in the moon over a period of time or we have shown how the moon phases work in class with. I hope these can help you teach phases of the moon for kids in meaningful ways. Sep 20, 2018 oreo cookie activity to show kids how the moon has different shapes and phases. The moons placement for this chart is based on pacific standard time pst. The activity uciobs6 rising and setting of the moon is an excellent followon to the moon phase activity, in which students will explore why each different phase of the moon rises and. Abstract sometimes a full moon can be so bright, you can walk around in the dark without a flashlight.