Phases of The Moon
Science Lesson plan
Content Standard
Content Standard: ESS.1.4 –The relative patterns of motion and positions of the Earth, moon and sun cause solar and lunar eclipses, tides and phases of the moon
Ohio department of education.
NETS-S Standard
The relative patterns of motion and positions of the Earth, moon and sun cause solar and lunar eclipses, tides and phases of the moon
The moon’s orbit and its change of position relative to the Earth and sun result in different parts of the moon being visible from Earth (phases of the moon
Ohio department of education
Objectives
· Students will be able to explain why we see Moon Phases
· Students will name and identify the phases of the Moon and list them in order
· Students will be able to utilize the following vocabulary: crescent, gibbous, First Quarter, Full Moon, New Moon, orbit, revolve, rotate, Third Quarter, waning, and waxing
Summary
o Have you ever noticed that the moon looks different from night to night? Why do you think this is?
o Have you ever noticed that some nights there is no Moon? Do you know why this happens?
o Have you ever seen a full Moon?
then the students had a moment to brainstorm about their ideas in regard of the phases of the moon.
I proceded to give a short lecture in regards to why the moon has different phases, by showing a two minute video on the topic.
finally I will conclude with the assessment part of the lecture by taking the students to the computer lab. the students will be assessed with a simulation software called “Explorelearning Gizmo – Student Exploration: Phases of the Moon” website." The student will be instructed to explore how the position of the moon determines the different shapes we see from Earth. At the end the student will have to fill up a diagram worksheet in which the phases of the moon are shown, with out the assistance of the simulator. the student will turn in the complete diagram and based on the number of correct phases placed in the diagram the student will receive a grade.
Evaluation Plan
Evaluation online assessment
Ø Students will be evaluated based on their participation during the pre-class activity.
Ø Students will be evaluated based on the completion of the Gizmo pdf which is to be completed during the interactive lab session.
Ø Finally, students will be evaluated by completion of the Moon Phase diagram, which is to be completed without any technological aids.
Justification
· I selected this software because it is developmentally appropriate for the seventh grade students. I also selected the use of the pdf file because it provides students with questions that are relevant to the objectives as they navigate through the software.
· The instructional video and the software provide the students with a visual understanding of the moon, earth and sun relationship and most importantly how moon phases represent the shape of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen by an observer in Earth.
· Similarly, the software and video demonstrate how the lunar phases change cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according to the changing positions of the Moon and Sun relative to the Earth.