Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Birthday Stars

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Space explorers take a virtual trip around the sun right within your classroom! They stand in a circle facing away from the "sun" (a lamp) in the center of the room. As they move according to your instructions, they view different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Moon Orbits the Sun?!?!

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
Students calculate the strength of gravitational force exerted on the moon by the sun and earth. In this orbital instructional activity students view a demonstration to see the gravitational forces between bodies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Moon Phases

For Students 7th - 10th
In this moon phase worksheet, learners are given a "moon pop" and they make a diagram of the moon's phases using the "moon pop" as a guide. They answer questions about the phases of the moon and solar and lunar eclipses.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth in Space

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars use computer images to explain why the Earth has seasons and examine the phases of the moon. They create 3-D images and present them to the class. They answer a series of questions at the end of the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can an Astronaut on Mars Distinguish Earth from its Moon?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the possibility of being on Mars and being able to identify the Earth.  In this space lesson students complete a set of calculations to see if this is possible. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shoot for the Moon

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders distinguish the different phases of the moon. In this astronomy lesson, 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.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Earth's Place in Space

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this Earth instructional activity, students review how the revolution, rotation, and tilt of the Earth effects the Earth. This instructional activity has 4 matching and 3 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students read "The Moon Seems to Change" and conduct an experiment with oranges to demonstrate the phases of the moon. They write about the experiment and describe each phase of the moon.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students research and identify the phases of the moon. They consider the moon's rotation, as well as that of the earth and sun. They write a description of their research and present it to the class.
Unit Plan
Columbus City Schools

Totally Tides

For Teachers 7th Standards
Surf's up, big kahunas! How do surfers know when the big waves will appear? They use science! Over the course of five days, dive in to the inner workings of tidal waves and learn to predict sea levels with the moon as your guide.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Students 4th - 7th
In this moon phases worksheet, students learn about the different phases that the moon goes through. They then use the information the learned to answer the 9 questions in the packet. The answers are on the last page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Rotation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the rotation of the Earth as it occurs in the 24 hour cycle. They use models of planets and the globe to make observations of movements made. Students brainstorm prior knowledge and then participate in a demonstration of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Moon

For Teachers 1st
First graders complete an experiment illustrating why the moon appears to change over time using a flashlight and ball. Students discuss the shape of the moon and identify it as a sphere. Students write a short informational piece after...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth, Sun, and Moon

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students participate in a demonstration and complete an online activity that illustrates the earth orbits the sun once a year, and that the moon takes approximately 28 days to orbit the earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon Phases

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the phases of the moon. For 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Timekeeping by the Sun

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students measure shadows to learn about the Sun-Earth relationship. In this astronomy lesson, students create a shadow stick of a Pokemon character and record measurements of its shadow in a data chart. Follow-up discussions guide...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phase to Phase with the Moon

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the Moon phases. The lesson includes hands-on activities as well as web-based activities. They use models of the Moon and a lamp to study each of the phases of the Moon, and test their knowlege of the Moon on a web...
Worksheet
Marcia's Science Teaching Ideas

Observing the Moon Activity

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this moon worksheet, students observe the moon on three consecutive nights and draw their observations. They answer questions about the phases of the moon and its position in the night sky. They identify the position of the sun, earth...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Four Seasons - Earth's Axis

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explain that it is the tilt of earth's axis that causes the seasons. They engage in a variety of activities, both teacher-led and on the computer, which enable them to further explain how the Earth's axis affects the seasons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon Flip Book

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students make a flip book. In this moon lesson, students review the moon phases and how they occur. Students make a flip book to show the moon's motion around the Earth.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Moon Phases Worksheet

For Students 7th - 9th
In this moon phase worksheet, students identify the phases of the moon and draw pictures of the illuminated portion of the moon.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Models of the Earth and Moon

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore the earth's rotation and phases of the moon. In this planets lesson, students rotate and revolve around a light representing the sun. Students use movement and props to simulate what causes the phases of the moon as well...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Shape is the Moon Tonight?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students understand that the moon appears differently throughout the month. In this phases of the moon lesson, students observe and record the phases of the moon.

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