At a Glance:
| Grades: | 6, 7, 8 |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Science; STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) |
| Topic: | Astronomy, Moon |
| Lesson Length: | 45 mins - 1 hour |
Standards / Framework:
What will students learn in this activity?
Students will display an understanding of the lunar phases of the moon.
What should students know before this activity?
Students should be familiar with lunar phases and what causes the changes in the moon’s appearance.
How can teachers introduce this lesson?
- 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?”
What will students do?
- 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.
How can teachers wrap up the lesson?
- 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).
How can teachers differentiate this activity?
- 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.
Related Resources:
- Comic to print or display: Comic.
- Special Names for Full Moons
- Full Moon Anniversary Table
- First, Next, Then, Last Sequence Chart
- Moon in Motion
Solar System
Space Mystery
Earth Science
