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.

Concepts

moon exploration, the full moon, the moon, the new moon, the lunar cycle, lunar eclipse, craters, the solar system

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the activity as an extension to a unit on the moon and the solar system
• Display labeled pictures of the each moon phase, as well as a lunar eclipse to supplement instruction

Classroom Considerations

• Provide cups for class members to trace neat circles in their notebooks for the activity section of the resource
• Resource suggests using binoculars to observe the moon to enhances moon observations, though the lesson works without binoculars as well

Pros

• Hands-on activities keep learners engaged
• Comparing drawings of the moon allows pupils to see different details they otherwise wouldn't notice

Cons

• Does not come with any worksheets or assessment

Common Core

W.2.1 W.3.1.a W.4.1.a W.5.1.a SL.2.1.a SL.3.1.a SL.4.1.a SL.5.1.a