Observing the Moon

An inquiry-based lesson

Lesson Description

Grade Level: 2nd Grade

Duration: Will take a day to explain, but the lesson will last about a month to complete

This is an inquiry based lesson because it engages students in activities that allow them to come up with their own questions and conclusions based on their findings.

Process Skills Achieved Observing Communicating Classifying Inferring Predicting

Objective

The students will observe and record the change in the apparent shape of the moon from day to day over several months and describe the pattern of changes.

The students will also learn about the rotations and revolutions of the sun, earth, and moon.

Standards Met

Standard Earth and Space Sciences

Benchmark Observe constant and changing patterns of

objects in the day and night sky

Indicators Observe and describe how the moon appears

a little different every day but looks nearly the same again about every four weeks.

Step 1: Read Moon Poem

Today we are going to read “The Cheese Moon” by Gareth Lancaster together! When were reading, be sure to think about what’s REAL in the poem and what’s MAKE BELIEVE! We will write our thoughts down together after.

The Cheese MoonBy Gareth Lancaster

Step 2: KWL Chart

We are now going to make a KWL chart about moons! We will first make a list of what we Know about moons, and then a list of things we Want to learn about moons! At the end of the lesson we will make a list of what we Learned about moons.

KWL chart

Step 3: Moon Scientists

Now that the KWL chart is down were going to do a very exciting activity! For the next month you are all going to be MOON SCIENTISTS!

You will be receiving a journal where you can write down your observations about what the moon looks like each night, and any predictions you may have about what it will look like the next night!

Example:

3

March 4th

9:05

It’s almost half full

This is your journal!

Step 4: Discuss Findings (about a week after first observation)

Now that you have been observing the moon every night for about a week and have been discussing your findings with your friends. We’re going to go over each of your pictures and talk about the vocabulary names for each of the phases!

These pictures and words will be posted in the room so you can use the new terms in your observation journals!

Moon Phases Diagram

Evaluation

The teacher can informally monitor the daily discussions the students have about their observations from the night before.

The student’s journals are also a very helpful tool in evaluating who has a strong understanding of the moon phases, and who does not. A student who is using new vocabulary terms in their observations and is drawing detailed pictures of the moon is likely to have a strong understanding of the phases.

Completing the “L” section of the KWL chart to see what the students have learned throughout the lesson can also be a helpful way to evaluate their understanding.

Rubric

Universal Design I think this activity is a great one to use in the classroom because it

can be altered to help all types of learners. First, the poem read at the beginning of the lesson and the KWL chart that is completed as a class invites the students to share what they already know about the moon, and what they are curious about. This would allow all students to activate their prior knowledge about the moon

The journal activity would be effective for many types of learners because it is very free and allows the students to make their own observations about what they see. They are free to draw a picture of what the moon looks like ,as well as write about what they see. A struggling student could draw a picture of the moon that would help them see a pattern of the moon phases, while a gifted student could write a more detailed observation and still be able to notice a clear pattern.

This lesson allows for a lot of free and open discussions about the observations that are made, so peers could be grouped by who understand the material and who needs extra assistance. The posted pictures of the moon phases with their terms would also help a visual learner.