Skip Navigation
Search

Moon Phases

Moon Phases

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to observe and record changes in the appearance of objects in the sky such as clouds, the Moon, and stars, including the Sun.


Essential Understanding

The student knows that the natural world includes the air around us and objects in the sky.

Science Background

Moon Phases: Stardate (website) - Monthly calendar of moon phases.

Moon Phases
The University of Texas McDonald Observatory, Stardate, stardate.org

Earth’s Moon: NASA (website) - The moon is Earth’s only natural satellite. It influences Earth’s cycles, including tides. Learn more about our moon at the link below.

Earth’s Moon
NASA, www.nasa.gov

Understanding the Moon Phases: MoonConnection.com (website) - A detailed illustration of Earth and the moon, along with accompanying text, helps students understand the phases of the moon.

Understanding the Moon Phases
MoonConnection.com

Signature Lesson

Moon Glow: NASA, Starchild (website) - Investigate the relationship between the Earth and moon, the phases of the moon, and the alignment of Earth, Sun and moon that produces solar and lunar eclipses.

Moon Glow
Nasa, Starchild

Supporting Lessons

Observing the Moon: The University of Texas McDonald Observatory (PDF) - With binoculars and the naked eye, observe and record changes in appearance of the moon over time, and then compare these observations to images posted on the StarDate website (www.stardate.org).

Observing the Moon
The University of Texas McDonald Observatory, StarDate, www.stardate.org

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Moon Munchies: NASA, Engineering by Design (PDF) - Design is a creative problem-solving process. In this unit, students use the engineering design process to design and build a lunar plant growth chamber.

Moon Munchies
NASA, www.nasa.gov

Assessment Ideas

Oreo Moon Phases: Learning Encounters (PDF) - Use Oreo cookies to represent the phases of the moon, as seen from Earth. Assess students’ understanding of the moon’s phases by using diagram B on page 4.

Oreo Moon Phases
Learning Encounters, www.leosciencelab.com

Literature Connections

Phases of the Moon. Olson, Gillia (ISBN 0736896171)

The Moon Book. Gibbons, Gail (ISBN 0823413640)

The Moon Seems to Change. Branley, Franklin (ISBN 0064450651)

Related Science TEKS

(1.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to recognize and demonstrate safe practices as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including wearing safety goggles, washing hands, and using materials appropriately.

(1.1B) Importance of Safe Practices
The student is expected to recognize the importance of safe practices to keep self and others safe and healthy.

(1.1C) Recycling/Disposal of Science Materials
The student is expected to identify and learn how to use natural resources and materials, including conservation and reuse or recycling of paper, plastic, and metals.

(1.2A) Ask Questions
The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world.

(1.2B) Plan and Conduct Descriptive Investigations
The student is expected to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations such as ways objects move.

(1.2C) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect data and make observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, and non-standard measurement tools.

(1.2D) Record and Organize Data & Observations
The student is expected to record and organize data and observations using pictures, numbers, and words.

(1.2E) Communicate Observations
The student is expected to communicate observations with others about simple descriptive investigations.

(1.3A) Identify, Explain and Propose a Solution to a Problem
The student is expected to identify and explain a problem such as finding a home for a classroom pet and propose a solution in his/her own words.

(1.3B) Make Predictions
The student is expected to make predictions based on observable patterns.

(1.3C) Explore Scientists
The student is expected to describe what scientists do.

(1.4A) Tools for Collecting Information
The student is expected to collect information using tools, including computers, hand lenses, primary balances, cups, bowls, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and timers; non-standard measuring items such as paper clips and clothespins; weather instruments such as demonstration thermometers and wind socks; and materials to support observations of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

(1.4B) Non-Standard Measurement Units
The student is expected to measure organisms and objects and parts of organisms and objects, using non-standard units.

Related Math TEKS

1.8A    The student is expected to order three or more events according to duration.

1.9A    The student is expected to collect and sort data.

1.9B     The student is expected to use organized data to construct real object graphs, picture graphs, and bar-type graphs.

1.12A  The student is expected to explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

1.13A  The student is expected to justify his or her thinking using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

Additional Resources

Observing the Moon: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (website) - Students observe the moon over time and discuss its physical characteristics. (This unit is written for grades 2 - 6, but the first four activities may be modified for kindergarten and first grade.)

Observing the Moon
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, hea-www.harvard.edu


Myths about Moon: Windows to the Universe (website) - Use stories, myths, rhymes, poetry, and games to teach students about the Moon.

Myths about Moon
Windows to the Universe, www.winsdows2universe.org

Close Comments Button

Comments

Post a Comment
Close Comments Button