Phases Of The Moon

Topic: Phases of the moon

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to explain the different phases of the moon and how they are caused.

Materials

• Copies of a picture of the moon
• Pencils
• Paper
• Colored pencils or markers (optional)

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever seen the moon.
• Have them describe what it looked like.
• Ask them if they know what causes the different phases of the moon.

Direct Instruction

• Show the students the picture of the moon and explain that this is the full moon.
• Tell them that the moon goes through different phases, and that each phase is caused by the position of the moon relative to the sun.
• Explain that when the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun, it is called the new moon.
• Show the students the picture of the new moon and explain that this is what the moon looks like when it is not visible in the sky.
• Explain that as the moon moves closer to the sun, it begins to enter the next phase, which is the waxing crescent moon.
• Show the students the picture of the waxing crescent moon and explain that this is what the moon looks like as it begins to appear in the sky, but is not yet fully visible.
• Continue explaining that as the moon continues to move closer to the sun, it enters the next phase, which is the first quarter moon.
• Show the students the picture of the first quarter moon and explain that this is what the moon looks like when it is exactly half-way between the new moon and the full moon.
• Continue explaining that as the moon continues to move closer to the sun, it enters the next phase, which is the waxing gibbous moon.
• Show the students the picture of the waxing gibbous moon and explain that this is what the moon looks like as it begins to appear more full, but is not yet fully visible.
• Continue explaining that as the moon continues to move closer to the sun, it enters the next phase, which is the second quarter moon.
• Show the students the picture of the second quarter moon and explain that this is what the moon looks like when it is exactly half-way between the first quarter moon and the full moon.
• Continue explaining that as the moon continues to move closer to the sun, it enters the next phase, which is the waxing moon.
• Show the students the picture of the waxing moon and explain that this is what the moon looks like as it begins to appear more full.
• Continue explaining that as the moon continues to move closer to the sun, it enters the next phase, which is the full moon.
• Show the students the picture of the full moon and explain that this is what the moon looks like when it is fully visible in the sky.

Guided Practice

• Have the students work in pairs and provide each pair with a set of moon activity cards.
• Go through the activity cards one at a time and have the students place the card in the correct column on their moon activity organizer (new moon, waxing crescent moon, first quarter moon, waxing gibbous moon, second quarter moon, waxing moon, full moon).
• Encourage the students to explain their reasoning and ask questions as they work.

Independent Practice

• Have the students work individually or in small groups to complete the moon activity organizer.
• Encourage the students to use the information they have learned to complete the organizer and to ask questions if they need help.

Closure

• Have the students share their completed organizer with the class and discuss the phases of the moon and what they have learned.
• Remind the students that there are different moon phases every month and that they can use a calendar to check the phases.

Assessment

• Observe the students during their independent practice activity and take note of their understanding of the different moon phases and their ability to use a calendar to check the phases.
• Collect and review the students' completed organizers to assess their understanding of the moon phases and their ability to use a calendar to check the phases.