Marcia's Science Teaching Ideas
Observing the Moon Activity
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...
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Exploring the Moon
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...
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The Sun and Moon
Learners understand basic concepts about Earth, the Sun and the Moon,
such as relative movement and the phases of the moon. Through discussion, looking at pictures, listening to Native American stories, observing, and building models,...
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The Moon Orbits the Sun?!?!
Students calculate the strength of gravitational force exerted on the moon by the sun and earth. In this orbital lesson students view a demonstration to see the gravitational forces between bodies.
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Moon
Students discover scientific facts about the Moon and how
some American Indian Tribes used the moon to measure time.
They accomplish this by listening to stories and poetry, writing
stories, communicating with an astronaut,...
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What Shape is the Moon Tonight?
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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Phases of the Moon
Students answer the question, "How are the motions of the Earth, the moon, and the sun, related to the moon's phases?" They observe the moon to create a moon journal and a phases of the moon diagram.
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Shoot for the Moon
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.
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Magic Tree House: Midnight on the Moon
Take your class to the moon with Midnight on the Moon! Then provide them with this short packet to develop vocabulary and practice reading comprehension. The first page has readers match vocabulary terms to their correct definitions. The...
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Moon Phases
Five multiple choice questions are provided in the handout about the phases of the moon. A digaram is included to help astronomy learners answer the questions. The diagram is meant to represent the appearance of the moon from the...
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Moon Exploration
Third graders investigate the phases of the moon. Using handheld computers, they describe the four phases of the waxing and waning moon, record their moon observations for a one month time period, create an illustration using Sketchy,...
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Phases of the Moon
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.
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Moon Observations
Young scholars study the science of the moon. In this moon observations lesson, students study vocabulary associated with the moon, study a lunar calendar, and a phases of the moon's orbit around the Earth.
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Making Regolith
You may not be able to take a field trip to the moon, but that doesn't mean your class can't study moon rocks. Using graham crackers as the moon's bedrock and powdered donuts as micrometeorites, young scientists simulate the creation of...
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Getting Ready for the All American Eclipse!
Give your pupils a front row seat at the biggest light show in the sky this year! In addition to admiring the total solar eclipse, young astronomers can explain the phenomenon with a little help from an inquiry-based instructional...
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Moon Observations
Third graders create a model of the moon and use a flashlight to illustrate the various stages of the moon.
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The Moon
Students explore the relationship between the earth, sun, and moon in our solar system. They create a moonrise/moonset chart, perform a dance that models the moon phases, and create a Styrofoam model of the moon's surface.
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Sky 4: The Moon
Students will draw the moon's shape for each evening on a calendar and then determine the pattern in the shapes over several weeks. Students' understandings should be confined to observations, descriptions, and finding patterns.
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The Phases of the Moon
Students observe the questions, "Why do we say there is a man on the moon?, What do you think of when you hear "the moon is made of cheese"?, What is meant, to you, by the expression "Once in a blue moon"? and a comic of Snoopy typing,...
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Phases of the moon
Third graders name the phases of the moon. In this moon phase lesson, 3rd graders listen to the story The Moon Seems to Change and they discuss the different moon phases. They take oreos and split them apart and look at the cream to see...
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Moon Phase Stations
Third graders investigate the moon. In this Earth science lesson, 3rd graders discuss the moon phases and how every 4 weeks the moon cycles through these phases.
GoSoftWorks
GoSkyWatch Planetarium for iPad - The Astronomy Star Guide
Digital compass alignment enables navigation of the skies with true orientation at any time. Just point to the sky or "aim for the stars!" This application acts as a virtual telescope, allowing you to zoom in on any object that is...
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Observing and Sketching the Lunar Surface
Learners explore space science by conducting an illustration activity. In this lunar instructional activity, students discuss what the moon is and the role it plays for our environment on Earth. Learners view images of the moon and...
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Models of the Earth and Moon
Learners explore the earth's rotation and phases of the moon. In this planets lesson, students rotate and revolve around a light representing the sun. Learners use movement and props to simulate what causes the phases of the moon as well...