K-3 Lesson 6

Sunrise...Sunset - Bilingual Telemation Unit

K-3 Lesson 6:
Phases of the Moon

Background:: It takes one month (29.53 days) for the moon to go around the earth. The moonlight is really reflected sunlight. The reflected sunlight from the moon's surface causes different visible shapes or phases of the moon. (Full, gibbous, half or quarter, crescent and new.) The moon's phase is a thin crescent or new moon when it is closer to the sun. The curved side of the moon points toward the sun.
Concepts:: The phases of the moon are caused by the moon's position relative to the sun. Also, as the moon moves farther from the sun in the sky from night to night, the lighted portion increases from crescent to full phase.
Purpose:: To demonstrate how the daily motions of the sun, the earth, and the moon affect the appearance of the moon. Students use a model to explain the moon's monthly cycle of phases.
Objectives:: Students will demonstrate the revolution of the moon around the earth and how the reflection of the sun changes the shapes or phases of the moon.
Inquiry Activities:: Did anyone see the moon this morning? (Hint: Check a newspaper or calendar to find out the date of the next full moon. Schedule this activity to begin two or three days after the full moon during the morning hours. During this part of the cycle, the moon will be visible most of the day.)
If yes, what shape was it?
Ask for volunteers to draw the shape of the moon on the chalkboard.
How does the moon change in shape?
Does the moon look the same in every part of the world?
Materials:: 1 lamp socket with plug-no shade
1 25-foot extension cord
1 40-watt clear lightbulb
For each student 1 two-inch polystyrene ball or any ball painted with white latex or other water based paint.
The story "Anasi and the Spider."
Directed Lesson:

Read the story "Anasi and the Spider."
Prepare headbands with a cut out model of the earth and explain to the students that their head is going to represent the earth.
Darken the room completely by closing blinds or taping black paper over the windows.
Use the extension cord to plug in the lamp so it is in the center of the classroom.
Pass one ball out to each student. Explain to the students that the planet Earth has one moon and the white ball represents the moon.
Have students rotate the moon around their head or planet Earth. Explain to the students that it takes one month or approximately 30 days for the moon to go around the earth.
Turn on the light and ask the students what the light represents (the sun). Have students hold their ball directly in front of the light bulb and begin to move the ball in a circular rotation until they can see a shadow on the ball. Hint: Demonstrate a shadow by using a flashlight on the ball.
Have students continue moving the ball around slowly until they see half of the ball with a shadow.
Have your students move their moons several times until they fully understand the moon goes through phases.
Follow-up Activity:: Attach a ping-pong ball to the end of a long stick (e.g. a 1 m dowel). Take it outside and point it directly at the moon when it is up during daylight. Observe the ball as the sun lights its phase exactly as the real moon.
Assessment:: Have the students draw what the shape or shapes of the moon looks like. These can be shared with the whole class by having volunteers go to the chalkboard and share their ideas.
Resources:: Laserdisc:
Windows on Science, by Optical Data, Primary Science 3.
Teacher's Guides:
"Earth, Moon and Stars, Great Explorations in Math and Science" (GEMS), Lawerence Hall of Science, 1989
"Invitations to Science Inquiries," by Tik L. Liem, Science Inquiry Enterprises, 1987
"El Sol, la luna, y las estrellas," By Jo Ellen Moore and Joy Evans, Evan-Moor Corp., 1987
Literature:
Asch, Frank. "Happy Birthday Moon." Simon & Schuster, 1985. Grades K-2. Bear adventures to celebrate the new moon's birthday.
Branley, Franklyn. "The Moon Seems to Change." Harper, 1987. Grades K-3. Excellent details & diagrams about the moon's phases. Also, Nigh and Day, by same author.
Brown, Margaret Wise. "Good Night Moon/Buenas Noches Luna." Harper. Grades K-2. Classic bedtime story.
Brown, Margaret Wise. "Wait Until The Moon Is Full." Harper. Grades K-2, Information on the moon through its phases.

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