Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
The Moon Seems to Change: Phases of the Moon ActivityThe Moon Seems to Change: Phases of the Moon Activity
Publisher
Maryland Department of Education
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
1st - 4th
Subjects
Science
2 more...
Resource Type
Activities & Projects
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
1 mo 19 days
Instructional Strategies
Direct Instruction
2 more...
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Activity

The Moon Seems to Change: Phases of the Moon

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This The Moon Seems to Change: Phases of the Moon activity also includes:
  • Worksheet
  • Student Reference
  • Rubric
  • Activity
  • Worksheet
  • Student Reference
  • Graphic & Image
  • Rubric
  • Join to access all included materials

Use Eric Carle's sweet book, Papa, Please get the Moon for Me to learn about phases of the moon. Young schholars use a moon template calendar to chart moon phases for a month, sing lunar phase chants, and create a delicious visual diagram using a paper plate and Oreo cookies. 

164 Views 152 Downloads

Concepts

the moon, the lunar cycle, the full moon, the new moon, eric carle

Additional Tags

science

Classroom Considerations

  • Instructions on the moon calendar worksheet state that learners can copy the moon they see in class the next day if they don't have a chance to color the moon that day. Consider removing this option if you want this to be a serious homework assignment

Pros

  • Photographs make these activities easy to replicate
  • All worksheets, images, and graphic organizers are provided

Cons

  • There is a missing period on the first page, last sentence

See similar resources:

Activity

Phases of Life Poster Project

Weebly
Now this is a clever approach to familiarizing aspiring astronomers with the phases of the moon! They first record the specific dates for ten special events in their lives. Then they use an online moon phase calendar to find out which...
4th - 7th Science
Handout

Moon Phases

Holland Patent Central School District
Kids are fascinated by the moon for good reason! Here's a great resource to help them chart the lunar cycle for a month, referencing high-detail photographs and an informative chart as they complete their own calendar.
3rd - 6th Science
Worksheet

The Phases of the Moon

Canadian Space Agency
What phase is that moon in? Young astronomers complete a lunar cycle diagram and describe each moon phase below. 
3rd - 6th Science
Activity

Observing the Moon

University of Texas
Why does it look like there is a man on the moon? Why does the moon look different every night? These are the focus questions of a lesson that prompts class members to observe and record the nightly changes of Earth's natural...
K - 8th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Interactive

Study Jams! The Moon

Scholastic
Take your class to the moon and back with this compact slide show. A mix of computer-generated images and photographs are supported by explanatory text. Observers learn about the moon's movements, its physical features, and its phases....
4th - 8th Science
Lesson Plan

Moon Phases

Curated OER
Second graders understand that the visibility of the moon changes and that is called the moon phases. For this phases of the moon lesson, 2nd graders form a circle and create the phases. Students name the phase that matches their...
2nd Science
Instructional Video

The Phases of the Moon

Curated OER
Watch and learn about the four phases of the moon. New, first quarter, full, and last quarter are all covered in this highly visual video. While this clip stops prior to finishing a full description it does a good job of showing what the...
3 mins 4th - 8th Science
Worksheet

Identifying Phases of the Moon

Mr. Hill's Science Website
Is that a waxing crescent or waning gibbous moon? Here's a comprehensive set of worksheets complete with great visuals that will have your kids spouting off the lunar cycle in order! 
3rd - 7th Science
Lesson Plan

Phases of the Moon: Cooperative Learning

Curated OER
Third graders examine the phases of the moon. In this moon phase lesson, 3rd graders listen to a read aloud of The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley and discuss the phases of the moon. They complete a moon phase calendar and...
3rd Science
Lesson Plan

Birthday Moons

Curated OER
Young scholars examine the lunar phases by locating and graphing the Moon phase of their own birthdays. They listen to and discuss lunar myths and create their own Birthday Moon Stories.
K - 4th Science
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use