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Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

The Impact of the Sun and Moon on Tides

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
In 150 BC, Seleucus of Seleucia theorized that the moon causes the tides. Scholars learn about what causes tides by studying the interactions of gravity between the sun, moon, and Earth. They use technology to formalize otherwise...
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App
Lawrence Hall of Science

DIY Sun Science

For Students K - 8th Standards
Get an up-close-and personal look at the sun from the safety of your classroom with this fun science application. Offering numerous activities, images, and videos, the resource supports children of all ages as they learn about the sun.
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Activity
1
1
University of Texas

Observing the Moon

For Teachers K - 8th Standards
Why does it look like there is a man on the moon? Why does the moon look different every night? These are the focus questions of a lesson that prompts class members to observe and record the nightly changes of Earth's natural satellite.
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Science 4 Inquiry

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The moon takes just over 27 days to orbit around Earth. Young scientists position themselves as the earth as they rotate around the sun and hold the moon. This allows them to observe the patterns and phases of the moon.
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Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Moon Flip Book

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Flip over the phases of the moon. Using an interactive, pupils view the location of the moon relative to the sun and earth for the eight major phases of the moon. Individuals record how the moon looks through a complete cycle. Using...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders learn that the moon orbits the Earth in a predictable cycle. Each learner engages in a two-week observation of the moon. They sketch its appearance, and take note of its position in relation to objects in their yard. Some...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun and Moon

For Teachers K - 1st
Students understand basic concepts about Earth, the Sun and the Moon, such as relative movement and the phases of the moon. Through discussion, looking at pictures, listening to Native American stories, observing, and building models,...
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Lesson Plan
NASA

Moon Phases and Eclipses

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Starry-eyed astronomers draw different views of the Moon in order to introduce its phases. Then they experiment with a ball and a lamp to recreate the phases. A demonstration ensures every pupil understands the process, and the...
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Activity
It's About Time

The Earth-Moon System

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Explore the earth-moon system with blossoming astronomers in this fun-filled activity. They begin by investigating lunar phases and differentiating between each. They continue the activity by learning about tidal forces and how these are...
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Lesson Plan
PHET

Features of the Sun

For Teachers 6th - 8th
There are so many things to discover about the sun! Pupils discuss their knowledge of the sun, explore its features, apply their knowledge by labeling photographs, and then reflect on their learning by working in groups to draw and label...
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Lesson Plan
K20 LEARN

Let's Lasso the Moon: Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 1st Standards
A timelapse video hooks learners' attention to the phases of the moon. After discussing their observations, pupils use the Moon Giant website to view the moon on their birthday and complete a bar graph. The class creates an anchor chart...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Angular Diameter of the Sun

For Students 8th - 11th
Starting with a paragraph of information presenting the different ways we can observe planetary objects, pupils work through these instructions to see how they can observe and measure angles.  Your class will discover how these angles...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Big Are Earth, Sun, and Moon?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders draw what they believe is in space on a dry erase board. In groups, they are given a beaker half filled with water and they add a teaspoon of oil, observing the different layers that form. To end the lesson, they identify...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon Phases - Finally Making Sense of Them

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Doin' The Moonwalk

For Teachers K - 2nd
If you are looking for an outstanding lesson on the Moon for your budding astronomers, look no further! This outstanding plan is full of wonderful, meaningful activities for your charges to engage in. Pupils will discover why there are...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Moon

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Moon Orbits the Sun?!?!

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
Students calculate the strength of gravitational force exerted on the moon by the sun and earth. For this orbital lesson students view a demonstration to see the gravitational forces between bodies.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Timekeeping by the Sun

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students measure shadows to learn about the Sun-Earth relationship. In this astronomy lesson plan, students create a shadow stick of a Pokemon character and record measurements of its shadow in a data chart. Follow-up discussions guide...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students use a simple physical model of the Earth, sun, and moon to understand why the moon changes phases from the perspective of Earthly observers. They hold up balls representing the moon in a room with a single light source to see...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Moon

For Teachers 1st
First graders complete an experiment illustrating why the moon appears to change over time using a flashlight and ball. Students discuss the shape of the moon and identify it as a sphere. Students write a short informational piece after...
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Worksheet
Marcia's Science Teaching Ideas

Observing the Moon Activity

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this moon instructional activity, students observe the moon on three consecutive nights and draw their observations. They answer questions about the phases of the moon and its position in the night sky. They identify the position of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Shape is the Moon Tonight?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon

For Teachers K - 4th
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,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars answer the question, "How are the motions of the Earth, the moon, and the sun, related to the moon's phases?" They observe the moon to create a moon journal and a phases of the moon diagram.