Lunar Stages of the Moon

Summary

The students will learn about the lunar stages of the moon through an online video, playing with styrofoam moons and flashlights, and then filling out their own lunar worksheet.

Materials

Youtube Video Photos of the lunar stages Styrofoam balls Sticks Flashlights Worksheet with 9 blank circles and the names of the lunar stages underneath

Background for Teachers

When we see the moon at night it is actually the reflection of the sun's light. It looks like the moons has different shapes but it's actually because the moon is moving around the Earth. The moon has nine lunar phases: new moon, cresant, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter.

Student Prior Knowledge

The moon and Earth is shaped like a sphere. The moon moves around the earth.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Observe objects and report their observations. Use science process and thinking skills Record data accurately when given the appropriate form and format.

Instructional Procedures

First, the students will watch a short online video titled, "Why Does the Moon Look Like It Changes?" After viewing the video, the students will have an understanding of the lunar phases and how the sun plays an important part of why we see different shapes of the moon. Next, post the photos on the board and discuss the names and stages. Then the students will get in to small groups of 3-4. Each group will get a Styrofoam ball, stick, flashlight, and a worksheet. The students will demonstrate the lunar stages using the flashlight as the sun and the Styrofoam ball as the moon. First, have one student hold the moon and another student hold the flashlight and shine directly on it. They should see that only half of the ball is lit up. Next, have them slowly move the moon to the left or counterclockwise. They should be able to re-create the lunar stages with the flashlight. Each student should have a turn with the flashlight.

Assessment Plan

Have the students fill out the lunar worksheet provided.

Bibliography

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdI1aDjWLlY&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=phases%20of%20the%20moon&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:officialiurl=http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/YdI1aDjWLlY/hqdefault.jpg http://webs.wichita.edu/lapo/demon.html http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview?LPid=2353