Phases of the Moon: It’s Just a Phase
By: Lexee Russell and Ashley Matekel
We are so excited to be writing for this newsletter this month, especially in the Tech Savvy Teacher column! There are so many great technological tools to make science come ALIVE in the elementary school classroom. The following is an example of how to implement different technology resources in the curriculum.
Sixth Grade Science Standard 1.2
Anticipatory Set: We would tell students about a moon journal and what it would look like if we drew the moon every night at the same time. We would show the following picture from: http://blog.journeywithjulette.com/wp-content/moon_phases_diagram.jpg
Instructional Input:
1. Discuss why the moon looks differently during different times during the month
2. Define what a phase is and explore the eight phases of the moon
3. Discuss the names of the eight phases and the position of the sun, earth, and moon during these phases (show picture above again to discuss phases)
4. Use the Stellarium program to show the students what the moon looks like that very day and identify the phase. As a class you can look at other phases, as well.
a. Stellarium can be downloaded for free at http://www.stellarium.org.
Guided Practice:
Students will then create the moon phases with oreo cookies. See example picture below from: http://www.4ever4given.com/upload/2006/11/100_0800.jpg
Independent Practice:
Many interactive games on moon phases can be found on the internet. Below are three examples of great games that can be used to enhance students understanding of the moon phases:
By: Lexee Russell and Ashley Matekel
We are so excited to be writing for this newsletter this month, especially in the Tech Savvy Teacher column! There are so many great technological tools to make science come ALIVE in the elementary school classroom. The following is an example of how to implement different technology resources in the curriculum.
Sixth Grade Science Standard 1.2
Anticipatory Set: We would tell students about a moon journal and what it would look like if we drew the moon every night at the same time. We would show the following picture from: http://blog.journeywithjulette.com/wp-content/moon_phases_diagram.jpg
Instructional Input:
1. Discuss why the moon looks differently during different times during the month
2. Define what a phase is and explore the eight phases of the moon
3. Discuss the names of the eight phases and the position of the sun, earth, and moon during these phases (show picture above again to discuss phases)
4. Use the Stellarium program to show the students what the moon looks like that very day and identify the phase. As a class you can look at other phases, as well.
a. Stellarium can be downloaded for free at http://www.stellarium.org.
Guided Practice:
Students will then create the moon phases with oreo cookies. See example picture below from: http://www.4ever4given.com/upload/2006/11/100_0800.jpg
Independent Practice:
Many interactive games on moon phases can be found on the internet. Below are three examples of great games that can be used to enhance students understanding of the moon phases:
Lunar Challenge http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/moon/moon_challenge/moon_challenge.html 
Moon Phases from Space (timed) http://www.purposegames.com/game/1016 
Closure: Assign the students to complete a moon journal of their own for a month. Give students the option of drawing it by hand or creating a picture on the computer.
In this specific example, technology was used in multiple ways to truly make science come alive and enhance learning. The sixth graders were able to see what the moon looked like that very day, and were able to visually see how the moon moves from phase to phase. They completed interactive games to solidify their learning. Their homework even gave the option to create their moon journal on the computer. Through these technological tools, they were able to identify, observe, and classify in a more visual and concrete manner. The students were able to not only know the phases of the moon, but create, analyze, and apply this information in multiple settings. Students were able to learn more thoroughly because of the technology.
Closure: Assign the students to complete a moon journal of their own for a month. Give students the option of drawing it by hand or creating a picture on the computer.
In this specific example, technology was used in multiple ways to truly make science come alive and enhance learning. The sixth graders were able to see what the moon looked like that very day, and were able to visually see how the moon moves from phase to phase. They completed interactive games to solidify their learning. Their homework even gave the option to create their moon journal on the computer. Through these technological tools, they were able to identify, observe, and classify in a more visual and concrete manner. The students were able to not only know the phases of the moon, but create, analyze, and apply this information in multiple settings. Students were able to learn more thoroughly because of the technology.
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