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    The Moon’s Phases

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    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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