Origin of the Moon Lesson Plans

Students listen to a Native American moon myth before observing a teacher demonstration showing the phases of the moon and they follow along with a styrofoam ball. They write an original moon myth. They work through the phases of the moon with a partner.

Second graders distinguish the different phases of the moon. In this astronomy lesson plan, 2nd graders study the history of its discovery and myths about its origin. They simulate how the moon's surface is illuminated by the sun.

Students investigate the effects of the lunar cycles on living organisms. In this lunar cycles lesson plan, students explain the forces that cause the tides, they discuss the effects of the lunar cycle on living organisms and they describe investigations that can be used to study the effects of the lunar cycles on living organisms. They answer 43 questions about the tides, their cycles and how the moon influences the tides.

Students sketch outdoor scenes inspired by Native American full moons.  For this artistic perception lesson, students read the book Long Night Moon by Cynthia Rylant, and discover what a full moon is.  Students draw outdoor scenes using charcoal pencils and other materials.

Students design and build an ideal lunar settlement. In this astronomy lesson, students identify the key features of the moon. They compare its environmental condition with the Earth's.

Students explore the phases of the moon. In this solar system instructional activity, students listen to several books about the moon including The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons. Students complete a KWL activity concerning the phases of the moon using a variety of media to obtain information.

First graders draw and record the phases of the moon.  In this moon instructional activity, 1st graders listen to The Moon Book and follow the phases of the moon.  Students observe the first phases of the moon and make predictions about the other phases.

Students research behaviors connected to the full moon and plot their findings on a graph. For this full moon lesson plan, students discuss superstitions related to the full moon, research human behaviors, and plot them on a graph for the different phases.

Students study fact and fiction about the Earth's moon. In this moon lesson, students use an assigned web site to complete an activity sheet with information about the moon. They demonstrate the ability to cut and paste information to complete the activity sheet. They download pictures of the moon from a NASA web site.

Students discover patterns within a hundreds chart.  In this pattern identification lesson, students read Kitten's First Full Moon and create a moon themed hundreds chart based on the book.  Students discuss their hundreds charts and the patterns they have found.