California Academy of Science
Kinesthetic Astronomy: Moon Phases
We are the world! Each of your class members models Earth and holds a styrofoam ball to see its phases. Thorough teacher background information and a detailed lesson plan will make this a cinch to teach. If you do not want to purchase...
Space Awareness
Sun, Earth and Moon Model
The moon orbits Earth while the Earth is rotating, and the Earth revolves around the sun. This can be a tricky concept for young astronomers. Implement an activity that helps distinguish between the movements of Earth's systems around...
Curated OER
Moon Phases - Finally Making Sense of Them
Students investigate the different phases of the moon. In this lunar cycle lesson, students create models of the sun, earth and moon and investigate why we observe the moon the way we do. Students observe a PowerPoint presentation...
Curated OER
Demonstrating Moon Phases
Third graders participate in a demonstration of the moon's phases. In this moon phase lesson, 3rd graders watch as the teacher demonstrates moon phases with a bright light and a Styrofoam ball. They answer questions associated with the...
MENSA Education & Research Foundation
The Moon: Earth’s Dependable Neighbor
Scholars become experts on the moon, its phases, and craters with a series of lessons, activities, and extension opportunities. Learners' expert level of knowledge includes moon facts, how moon craters are created, the ability to...
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Getting Ready for the All American Eclipse!
Give your pupils a front row seat at the biggest light show in the sky this year! In addition to admiring the total solar eclipse, young astronomers can explain the phenomenon with a little help from an inquiry-based instructional...
Curated OER
Models of the Earth and Moon
Learners explore the earth's rotation and phases of the moon. In this planets lesson, students rotate and revolve around a light representing the sun. Learners use movement and props to simulate what causes the phases of the moon as well...
Curated OER
Moon Phase Stations
Third graders investigate the moon. In this Earth science lesson, 3rd graders discuss the moon phases and how every 4 weeks the moon cycles through these phases.
Curated OER
Phases of the Moon Flip Book
Students make a flip book. In this moon lesson, students review the moon phases and how they occur. Students make a flip book to show the moon's motion around the Earth.
Curated OER
A Moon with a View
Third graders explore the rotation of Earth and the moon. In this solar system activity, 3rd graders participate in an Earth and moon simulation in which part of the class "becomes" the sun, while other children represent the moon by...
Curated OER
Earth is Round?
Third graders discuss how Aristotle concluded that the Earth was round. As a class, they review theories about the Earth's shape and describe how life on Earth would be different if it were flat. Individually, they make a moon book in...
Curated OER
Lunar Learning
Students learn about the phases of the moon. In this moon phases lesson, students learn about what causes the moon to look different to us everyday and how the Earth and Sun's position determine what phase the moon is in.
Curated OER
The Moon
Students explore the relationship between the earth, sun, and moon in our solar system. They create a moonrise/moonset chart, perform a dance that models the moon phases, and create a Styrofoam model of the moon's surface.
Curated OER
Moon
Students discover scientific facts about the Moon and how
some American Indian Tribes used the moon to measure time.
They accomplish this by listening to stories and poetry, writing
stories, communicating with an astronaut,...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan # 1 - Phases of the Moon
Learners explore and identify moon phases, watch teacher demonstration of different phases using globe and flashlight to represent moon and sun, and discuss reasons why there are moon phases.
Curated OER
Science Videos
Students plan, practice, and act in a 2-3 minute videotaped production about a specific topic. Students from a local high school give presentations pertaining to seasons, earth rotation, and moon phases. Students analyze the...
Curated OER
Phases of the Moon: Cooperative Learning
Third graders examine the phases of the moon. In this moon phase lesson, 3rd graders listen to a read aloud of The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley and discuss the phases of the moon. They complete a moon phase calendar and...
Curated OER
28 Days - The Lunar Cycle time line
Third graders create a labeled lunar diagram time line illustrating the lunar cycle using Internet resources. An assigned date/month is given to each student, and an online Moon Phase calculator assists them with their drawings.
Curated OER
Phases of the Moon Flipbook
Third graders create a flipbook. In this phases of the moon lesson, 3rd graders examine how the moon changes and phases occur. Students create their own flipbook of the phases of the moon using file cards to create a motion-picture effect.
Curated OER
Astronomy and Me: Moons Over New Haven
Third graders study the features of different moons orbiting the planets. In this astronomy lesson plan, 3rd graders explore the different phases of the moon using an interactive online website. They compare and contrast the features of...
Curated OER
The Phases of the Moon
Students sketch the different phases of the moon after exploring them on an internet program. In this moon phases lesson plan, students discuss how the Sun, Earth, and Moon are related.
Curated OER
What Shape is the Moon Tonight?
Students understand that the moon appears differently throughout the month. In this phases of the moon lesson, students observe and record the phases of the moon.
Curated OER
Dark Side of the Moon
Students discover the position of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during each of the phases of the Moon. They then draw a diagram to show the position of the Moon, Earth, and Sun in each of the phases of the moon.
Curated OER
Moons Of The Solar System
Students investigate the solar system and its moons. They conduct research in groups to find information. Also the teacher uses models of the planets in order to teach different facts about the solar system through the use of...