Moon Phases
™ Big Idea 5 Earth in Space and Time
™ SC.4.E.5.2 Describe the changes in the observable shape of the moon over the
course of about a month. (This activity also addresses SC.4.E.5.4)
™ Strategy: hands-on/minds-on, class demonstration, visuals
™ Materials: set of 3” by 5” index cards, black or blue butcher paper or
construction paper, glue, glitter paint
™ Word Wall/Vocabulary: Moon, Sun, Earth, rotation, orbit, cycle, phases,
new, first quarter, full moon, last quarter,
shadow
™ Literature Connection: So That’s How the Moon Changes Shape by
Allan Fowler
The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley
™ Lesson/Procedure
1. Brainstorm on the board what students know about the moon.
2. Read to students the selection The Moon Seems to Change.
3. Return to the brainstorming on the board and add new information the
students have learned.
4. Demonstrate to students the different moon shapes (very simple cutouts from construction paper) and have students place them in order
on the board. Check if they can see the pattern.
5. Develop further understanding by demonstrating to students the
orbit of the moon around the Earth. Have one student represent the
moon, another the Sun (holding a flashlight), and another the Earth.
6. Have “moon student” orbit the Earth slowly while “sun student” shines
light on moon. Teacher must help student hold flashlight at correct
angle so students can see the different shades created at different
angles.
7. Create a border strip around the classroom or one wall with dark-blue
or black butcher paper (construction paper works well also). Cut strips
of paper about five inches high and place where students can reach on
walls.
8. Label with sign such as Moon Watch or Moon Phases. Have students
glue some foil stars or glitter paint to create a night sky.
Divide the students in groups and have them draw and label the
different Moon phases on 3” by 5” index cards. Have students place
them on strips in the correct sequence.
™ Assessment
Assess understanding by having the students create their own moon-phases
activity (see pages attached). Students may also keep a moon calendar for a
month to observe the daily changes and patterns.
Moon