Moon Lesson Plans

Students explore why when you examine the moon depends on its location in relationship to the sun and Earth. The moon never goes away or changes shape-we just see a different fraction of sunlight being reflected from the moon to Earth.

Third graders read about the moon and experiment to understand the phases of the moon. In this phases of the moon lesson plan, 3rd graders experiment with a ball and a flashlight to explore the phases of the moon. Students understand the meaning of phase, waxing, and waning. Students complete the lesson plan by diagramming the phases.

Students react to statements about the moon, then read a news article about NASA's plans to build a permanent base on the moon. In this space science and current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and a vocabulary activity, then students read the news piece and participate in a think-pair-share discussion. Lesson includes interdisciplinary follow-up activities.

A fascinating lesson on the phases of the moon awaits your students. First, 3rd graders take part in an in-class simulation of the phases of the moon by using a flashlight and a ball. Then, students create their own PowerPoint which shows the phases of the moon. They access websites embedded in the plan in order to gain the information needed for their PowerPoint. The PowerPoint slide templates are also included in this incredibly rich lesson.

Practice comprehension skills using the story The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon by Bea Uusma Schyffert. Learners answer questions, fill out graphic organizers, and engage in extension activities involving writing and research.

Students become familiar with the phases of the moon. In this moon instructional activity, students recognize that gravitational force keeps the moon in orbit.  Students experiment with light to understand how the sun reflects on the moon. Students complete a web quiz.

Students react to statements about space exploration, then read a news article about plans to resume manned flights to the moon. In this space science and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and participate in a class discussion. Lesson includes interdisciplinary follow-up activities.

Sixth graders investigate the phases of the moon. In this moon phase lesson, 6th graders discover that the moon changes in a cycle as it orbits Earth. Students label pictures of moon phases and keep a moon phase journal. Students work in partners to correctly order the moon phases.

Students explore the concept of Elongation. In this solar time instructional activity, students analyze the phases of the moon and position of the sun to create a flip book. Students will use their books to determine the local time using the sun and moon.

Students explore the moon. In this moon lesson plan, students complete a WebQuest and discover the relationship between the Earth and Moon. Students observe the moon and study the different phases. After completing the WebQuest, students create a PowerPoint presentation or construct a nonfiction picture book.