Moon Phase Lesson Plan
4th Grade
David Breeden
VISA330
Standards
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GLE 0407.6.1 Analyze patterns, relative
movements, and relationships among the sun,
moon, and earth.
GLE 0407.Inq. 4 Identify and interpret
simple patterns of evidence to communicate
the findings of multiple investigations.
GLE 1.1 Manipulate a variety of tools and
media in a safe and responsible manner.
GLE 1.2 Apply a variety of media.
GLE 1.3 Apply a variety of techniques.
Big Ideas/ Essential Questions
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What causes the Moon to appear to
change shape?
Does the Moon rise and set like the
Sun? Why?
How do you think the Moon moves in
Space?
New Learning
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Vocabulary – full moon, new moon, phases of the
Moon, quarter moon, waning moon, waxing
moon
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Concepts – Students will understand the phases
of the Moon and it’s relationship among the sun
and the Earth
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Skills – Students will identify and interpret the
phases of the Moon and its rotation.
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Applications – When one looks at the moon at
night it looks like it changes shape. How is this
possible?
Learning Targets/ Objectives:
Students will:
 Observe how the moon goes through phases
 Create a complete series of phases matching the
appearance of the Moon.
 Relate moon phases to the positions of the Earth
and the Sun.
Summative Assessment:
 Ask students if they know what a moon phase is.
Have students discuss and list possible
explanations for the phenomena of moon phases.
Instructional Strategies/ Activities
Instructional Strategies/Activities:
 Demonstrating Moon Phases Activity 1:
Motion and Phase of the Moon
 Phases of the Moon Flip Book
 Phases of the Moon Pre/Post-test
 Moon Tracker
 Moon Phase Mosaic
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Materials and Resources
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Materials and Resources:
Light bulb on a lamp stand
Styrofoam ball (2” to 3” across)
Small stick (used to mount Styrofoam ball)
Demonstrating Moon Phases Activity 1: Motion and Phase of the Moon
(Student guide)
Moon flip book pages (enough for each student)
3”X 5” file cards (16 per flipbook)
Glue
Wide clear packing tape
Rubber bands
Phases of the Moon Pre/Post-test worksheet (one for each student)
Moon Tracker worksheet (one for each student)
Construction Paper
Cut pieces of magazines for moon phase mosaic
Blank index cards (for Exit Tickets)
Instructional Steps (Beginning)
The teacher will ask students:
 Have you ever noticed the moon at night?
 Does the moon always look the same?
 What do you know about the different shapes of
the moon?
*Give students time to answer and discuss their
responses to these questions.
Assessment:
Verbal discussion of the questions will give the
teacher a chance to see what their students
already know about the moon and its phases.
Instructional Steps (Middle)
Content Input ( “I do” activities):
 Discuss how the moon has half of its surface sunlit
and the other half dark. Explain how we see different
amounts of the moon’s sunlit half as it orbits the
Earth. Describe the different moon phases and what
we see during these phases.
Guided Practice (We do):
 Demonstrate moon phases (Activity 1: Motion and
Phase of the Moon)
 Give each student Demonstrating Moon Phases
student guide and a Styrofoam ball attached to a stick.
Have them stand around the light bulb on a lamp
stand. Work with students as they answer the
questions on the worksheet.
Instructional Steps (Middle)
Independent Practice (You do; may
include Homework):
 Students will complete the Phases of the
Moon Pre/Post-test.
 Students will create a Phases of the Moon
flip book to see how the phases change.
Hand out Phases of the Moon activity
sheet and supplies needed to create the
flipbook.
Instructional Steps (Middle)
Art Integration:
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Students will create a moon phase mosaic. Hand
out blank pieces of paper. The student will pick
one of the moon phases and draw it on this
paper. Then the student will glue pieces of cut
up magazines to create “color” their drawing.
Instructional Steps (Middle)
Assessments:
 While working with students on the guided
practice the teacher can assess what the students
are discovering about the moon phases and they
relate to the position of the Earth and the Sun.
 Phases of the Moon Pre/Post-test will assess what
the students have learned and retained from the
lesson.
Anticipated Learning Difficulties:
 Students with learning difficulties will be allowed
to work with other students if there is no
Teacher’s Aid available.
END
Moon Tracker worksheet will be sent
home for students to complete with
parents. This will help parents to have a
part in their child’s learning experience.
 Exit Ticket: Students will draw on a blank
note card one of the moon phases and
the name of that phase.
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