Subject: Science, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

Lesson Length: 45 mins - 1 hour

Topic: Astronomy, Moon

Grade Level: 6, 7, 8

Standards / Framework:

Brief Description: Students will display an understanding of the lunar phases of the moon.

Know Before You Start: Students should be familiar with lunar phases and what causes the changes in the moon’s appearance.

Hook:

  • Ask students:
    • “What are lunar phases? For example, what is a full moon?”
    • “What do you know about the lunar cycle?" e.g., length or what causes it
    • “Why do some full moons get special names?”

Activity:

  • Have students discuss lunar phases and the different appearances of the moon, what causes the changing appearance and why it’s a cycle.
  • Have students choose how to illustrate the moon’s phases.
  • Have students create a comic that shows the interaction between the sun, Earth, and the moon to create lunar phases.

Closure:

  • Have students share their comics with the class or in small groups.
  • Have students explain their representations of the moon’s phases.
  • Have students discuss why some moon phases get special names.
  • Emphasize that while the cycle happens approximately monthly, there are not always 12 full moons per year (354 days for 12 lunar cycles vs. 365 days per year).

Differentiation:

  • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
  • Allow students to work in pairs or groups as needed.
  • Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.
  • Allow students to make their representations as complex or basic as is appropriate.

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