The document outlines a learning plan for teaching students about the phases of the moon. It includes goals of understanding what causes the moon's phases and its alignment with the Earth and sun. Students will learn the eight phases through demonstrations and simulations, create a moon phase model using cookies, and keep a moon journal. They will complete a web quest and be assessed on a moon phase model for a science fair displaying the moon's alignment and phases.

1. Stage 1—Desired ResultsEstablished Goals:S6E2. Students will understand the effects of the relative positions of the earth, moon and sun. a. Demonstrate the phases of the moon by showing the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun. Understandings:Students will understand that…The revolution of the moon around the Earth makes the moon appear to change shape which we call phases.The moon’s phases are caused by the part of the moon that reflects the sun and seen from our position on Earth.The same side of the moon always faces earth because the moon turns on its axis at the same rate it revolves around Earth.Half of the moon always faces the sun.Essential Questions:Why does the moon appear to change shapes?What is the alignment of the Earth, Sun, and Moon while in orbit?What is each phase called and what does each look like?Why do we constantly see the same side of the moon?How much of the moon is lit by sunlight?Students will know…There are 8 phases of the moon: New, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full, Waning, Last Quarter, Waning Crescent.The sun is larger than the moon. The moon is ¼ the size of Earth.Students will be able to…Determine which phase of the moon we are in each day/night.Demonstrate the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.Explain why there phases to the moon.Stage 2—Assessment EvidencePerformance Task:You have been asked to provide a model of the phases of the moon which also demonstrates the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun by the Student Science Foundation for their Space Week Science Fair in Atlanta, GA. Other Evidence:Hands-On Illustration-students will create the phases of the moon using Oreos, and will display them on paper.Moon Journal-students will keep a moon journal for 2 weeks and will sketch the phases of the moon.Web Quest-students will logon to the website below and complete the Web Quest, then print results.http://www.murray.k12.ga.us/staci/moonphases.htmStage 3—Learning PlanLearning Activities:*2 weeks before begin lesson, for homework, students will look at the moon every night after a new moon begins. They will make a sketch and bring them into class.Give students the handout, “Phases of the Moon”.Begin introduction activity—pick 3 students to participate in this activity. Choose a student to be the moon (softball), another to be Earth, and one to be the sun (flashlight). Turn on the flashlight and darken other lights in the room. The person with the flashlight will shine it on the softball so that the light shines directly on the ball. The person as the Earth should sit between the sun and the moon. Observe how light shines on the moon. The student who is holding the “moon” should begin to walk in a slow circle around the Earth, stopping at least seven times at different spots (as indicated on phases of the moon handout). Each time the “moon” stops, observe the moon and shade in the corresponding dark portion. The person with the flashlight (the sun) and the Earth must remain stationary while the moon is rotating around the Earth. Begin “Phases of the Moon” podcast-have students write down any questions they may have while watching the movie.Discuss the video. Show podcast “Simulation Screencast”. Give students the resource website sheet and point out that # 6 is the website from the demonstration. Students need to view the resources for the rest of the week for homework. Explain the performance task. Give students the rubric.Go to computer lab for the Web Quest which can be found at this site-- http://www.murray.k12.ga.us/staci/moonphases.htm. Have students print results. Homework: *Produce a small demonstration of the 8 moon phases using Oreos. *View Resources on handout.Resources<br />https://www.georgiastandards.org/Frameworks/GSO%20Frameworks/6%20Science%20Framework%20Earth%20Sun%20Moon.pdf<br />http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon <br />http://mrsstahlheber.com/science/moonphases.html <br />http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moonphase/ <br />http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/moonphases.html <br />http://www.astronomynotes.com/nakedeye/s13.htm <br />http://sunshine.chpc.utah.edu/labs/moon/lunar_phase3.swf <br />http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/java/MoonPhase.html <br />http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/phases-of-the-moon <br />http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/moon_phases/index.html <br />Resource List<br />*Students, please access the following websites for further review of the moon’s phases and to take part in fun simulations.<br />http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon

2. http://mrsstahlheber.com/science/moonphases.html

3. http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moonphase/

4. http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/moonphases.html