3rd Grade The Moon Lesson Plan

Topic: Investigating the Moon and its relationship with the Earth

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to describe the structure and appearance of the Moon.
• Students will be able to explain the relationship between the Moon and the Earth and how the Moon affects the Earth's environment.

Materials

• Pictures or models of the Earth and Moon
• Handout with information about the Earth and Moon
• Pencils and paper for drawing and writing

Warm-up

• Begin the lesson by asking students what they know about the Moon. Write their responses on the board.

-Next, show students a picture or model of the Earth and Moon and ask them to describe what they see. -Ask students if they know why the Earth has a Moon.

Direct Instruction

• Explain to students that the Earth and Moon are part of a system of objects called a "terrestrial planet system." Terrestrial planets are composed of solid matter, like rocks and metals, rather than gas.
• Tell students that the Moon is the Earth's only natural satellite, or object that orbits a planet. It is about one-fourth the size of the Earth and is the second-densest object in the solar system, after Mercury.
• Explain that scientists believe the Moon was formed about 4.5 billion years ago when a Mars-sized object crashed into the Earth, creating a cloud of debris that eventually condensed into the Moon.
• Explain that the Moon's orbit around the Earth is not a perfect circle, but an elliptical or oval shape. The Moon's distance from the Earth varies from about 225,000 to 252,000 miles (about 356,000 to 409,000 km).
• Ask students if they can think of any other ways the Moon affects the Earth. Write their answers on the board.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in pairs to complete the Relative Sizes worksheet. Have them use the labeled diagram of the Earth and Moon to compare and contrast the objects' sizes and densities.
• Ask a few pairs to share their answers with the class.
• Review with students the differences between a satellite and a planet, and the characteristics of a terrestrial planet.

Independent Practice

• Project: Moon Molds
• Give each student a piece of paper and a pencil. Have them use the labeled diagram of the Earth and Moon to draw and label a scale model of the objects' relative sizes.
• Have students use their scale models and the information they have learned about the Earth and Moon to create a 3D model of the system using craft materials (e.g. -glue, paint, straws, cotton balls).
• Allow students to work independently or in small groups to complete their models.

Closure

• Review the key points of the lesson with the students, including the relative sizes and positions of the Earth and Moon, and the materials and techniques used to create the Moon molds.
• Have students share their Moon molds with the class and explain how they used the Earth and Moon to create their models.

Assessment

• Observe students during the independent practice and make note of their Moon models and explanations.
• Have students turn in their Moon molds and written explanations as a form of assessment.