Phases of the Moon

Credits:
Belinda Mercure
Thornton Elementary
Thornton, CO
belinda.mercure@adams12.org
Date Created: 11/9/2001 3:08:58 PM EST

VITAL INFORMATION

Subject Matter:

Elementary, Science

Grades:

1

Software Application:

StarOffice Writer

LESSON DESCRIPTION

Summary:

Students will identify the moon phase that corresponds with their individual birthday. They will draw and label the phase which will be made into a class book.

State & National Standards:

CO- Colorado Academic Standards

• Subject : Science

• Standard 4: Earth and Space Science: Students know and understand the processes and interactions of Earth’s systems and the structure and dynamics of Earth and other objects in space. (Focus: Geology, Meteorology, Astronomy, Oceanography)

• Key Idea 4.4: Students know the structure of the solar system, composition and interactions of objects in the universe, and how space is explored

• Grade/Level : Grades K-4

 Performance Indicator : describing what can be readily observed by the unaided eye in the daytime and nighttime sky (for example, the Sun, Moon, planets, stars, constellations);

 Performance Indicator : identifying basic components of the solar system (for example, Sun, planets, moons);

Local Standards:

Adams 12 Technology Standard 2: Student uses productivity software as a basis for learning and skill building, and demonstrates an understanding of the universal tools of word processing.

- begins to use special function keys: enter/return, space bar, shift, delete and backspace

- locates letters, numbers and ending punctuation characters

- knows how to make capital letters using the shift key.

Lesson Outcomes:

Students will be able to name the phases of the moon and put them in the correct order.

Assessment:

Final product will show correct moon phase labeled with proper spelling.

Assessment/Rubrics:

Rubrics:

Moon Phases  

CLASSROOM & TIME MANAGEMENT

Student Prerequisites:

Prior to the lesson, student will have observed the moon through one cycle. Students should be able to identify each moon phase though practice and observation.

Lesson Preparation:

Students will have prior knowledge on how to work on the SUN computers. They should have practice with switching between desktops and using the drawing application.

Time Frame:

3 class periods. 30 Min. per class.

Implementation Steps:

Students will log in and open the web browser on desktop one. They will then enter the information required in order to see the moon phase for their birthday. Students will then open star draw on desktop two. Students will draw a picture of the moon in the correct phase for their birthdate. Students must include name, birthdate and label.

RESOURCES

Lesson Resources:

Attachments:

 1.  Moon Phase Template - StarOffice file or Microsoft Word File

Links:

 1.  Moon Phase Site - tycho.usno.navy.mil/vphase.html

STUDENT PRODUCT(S)

Product(s) Description:

Students will draw a picture of the moon and it's correct phase depending on their birthday. This could be made into a class book.

Attachments:

 1.  Birthday Moon

REFLECTION

Comments:

This lesson can be adapted for higher grades. Students can write a paragraph summarizing facts about the moon.

With first grade students, the drawing program was too difficult. We had to revise the lesson and make a moon template for students to use.

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Moon Birthdays

Name

Birthday

On the day I was born the moon was a

New Crescent Half Gibbous Full

Here is a picture of my birthday moon.

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