Phases of the Moon, Megan Litzinger, 40 minutes

Grade Level- 4
1.1 Objectives
1. Students will be able to identify the different phases of the moon
by using Oreos to show the different phases
2. Students will be able to explain why there are different phases
of the moon after viewing the BrainPop video.
3. Students will write a short poem including detailed descriptions
of the different phases of the moon.
1.2 Standards
3.3.3.B1.
Relatetherotationoftheearthandday/night,totheapparentmovementofthesun,
moon,andstarsacrossthesky.
Describethechangesthatoccurintheobservableshapeofthemoonoverthecourseofa
month.
1.4.5.A.
Writepoems,multiparagraphstories,andplays.
Includedetaileddescriptionsofpeople,placesorthings.
1.3 Anticipatory Set
Have materials set up in the front of the class. Ask students if
theyve ever noticed the moon change. Have a few students come
to the board and draw what they think the moon look like. Next
explain to students they will be learning about the different phases
of the moon by using Oreos.
1.4 Procedures
1. Have students view the BrainPop video on Moon Phases.
2. Handout printout of the questions from the website.
3. As a class, after the video is over, answer the questions.
4. Next, pass out the materials needed to create their Oreo moon
phases.
5. Have students create and label their different phases of the
moon.
6. While students are working, walk around and ask questions
about the different phases (ex. Why are there different phases of
the moon? What causes this?)
7. Once students have created their Oreo moon phases, go around
to make sure they are labeled correctly and in the right order. If
everything is correct have students glue everything down.
8. As students finish up ask students to write a poem with a
detailed description of either the moon or the different moon
phases.
9. After everyone is completely finished, have a few students read
their poems to the class.

1.5 Differentiation
ELL- For an ELL, have student work with a partner to create a poem.
They can say their poem out loud as their partner writes the poem.
Vision Impaired- For a student who is visually impaired, have them
work with a partner. The partner can describe the different phases
and create it with the Oreos. Then the visually impaired student can
feel the Oreos to get a sense of what it may look like.
1.6 Closure
As closure for this lesson, have students share their poems and their
Oreo creations. Pull up a website to show what phase the moon is in
that day. Have students guess what the next phase will be.
1.7 Formative and Summative Assessment
Formative- Walk around and observe students during lesson. Ask
students questions as you walk around. Take note on students who
may be struggling.
Summative- Collect the poles to asses the students comprehension
of the lesson.
1.8 Materials and Safety
BrainPop videohttp://www.brainpop.com/science/space/moonphases/preview.
weml
BrainPop worksheet
Oreos
Glue
Paper Plates
2.1 Reflection on Planning
For this lesson, I had a hard time choosing a hand on activity. There
were so many activities that looked really fun. I chose this because I
thought the students would have fun using Oreos to learn. Students
can learn about the different phases of the moon using a manipulative
that they probably havent used in the classroom before. I think this
will help them to remember the different phases of the moon because
they will be having fun creating them. The writing of the poem will help
them to practice writing in a different form using detailed descriptions.