Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lunar Lollipops

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students work with a partner, Styrofoam ball and light source to simulate the positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun at various stages during the phases of the Moon. They describe why the Moon is visible from Earth and complete a worksheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lunar Disk

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze lunar material using actual moon rocks that were brought back by Apollo astronauts. The teacher and student activity sheets are well-designed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lunar Geology

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate mineral contents in lunar rocks.  In this lunar rock lesson students identify simulated lunar rocks based on mineral content. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Lunar Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners engage in a lesson that covers the concept of different phases of the moon. They name the cycles of the phases of the moon while using flashlights to simulate the light of the sun. They research information about several...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lunar Craters

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students explore crater impacts. In this moon crater instructional activity students evaluate and interpret the physical characteristics of a crater. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders learn that the moon orbits the Earth in a predictable cycle. Each learner engages in a two-week observation of the moon. They sketch its appearance, and take note of its position in relation to objects in their yard. Some...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is It Lunar or Lunacy?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders are introduced to the moon and its phases. Individually, they draw a sketch of each phase of the moon and read a short article about Galileo. To end the lesson, they examine the difference between refracting and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: A Scoop of Moon Dirt

For Teachers K - 8th
Students discover soil characteristics and how it is formed on Earth and the Moon by examining local samples to a lunar simulant. They replicate the effects of wind erosion by scraping dry bread with sandpaper. Students use rocks and...
Worksheet
Marcia's Science Teaching Ideas

Observing the Moon Activity

For Students 3rd - 8th
For this moon worksheet, students observe the moon on three consecutive nights and draw their observations. They answer questions about the phases of the moon and its position in the night sky. They identify the position of the sun,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Moon

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the relationship between the earth, sun, and moon in our solar system. They create a moonrise/moonset chart, perform a dance that models the moon phases, and create a Styrofoam model of the moon's surface.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students research and identify the phases of the moon. They consider the moon's rotation, as well as that of the earth and sun. They write a description of their research and present it to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars complete lessons on a butterfly life cycle, moon phases, hot water, and shadows. In this science lesson plan, students complete activities where they read books, look at demonstrations, and complete experiments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sampling Rocks

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate rocks. For this earth science lesson, students collect rocks from the schoolyard and describe each of the rocks. Students measure and weigh each rock and record the results. Students create a rock guide for the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wax On, Wane Off! the Different Views of the Moon

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students create a three-dimensional model of the Earth and Moon to show the different phases of the moon as they appear on Earth. In small groups, they draw a diagram for a phase, set up the model in the drawn positions then test it with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planetary Surface Evolution and Resurfacing

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students are provided with drawings of planet surfaces in order to investigate different types of planetary terrain. They make observations for each planet and discuss the characteristics observed. The lesson includes background...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth is Round?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discuss how Aristotle concluded that the Earth was round. As a class, they review theories about the Earth's shape and describe how life on Earth would be different if it were flat. Individually, they make a moon book in...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

The Moon's Craters

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the formation and size of impact craters. In small groups, they conduct an experiment that involves dropping marbles into flour and measuring the impact from various heights and discussing their hypothesis and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students create a model of the phases of the Moon by giving students pictures of the phases of the Moon, a picture of the Earth, and a picture of the Sun. They then take a picture, and stand in correct place to make the phases of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regolith Formation

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the process of regolith formations. In groups, students define regolith and discover how regolith is formed on the Earth and on the Moon. They participate in experimental activities to simulate regolith.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Impact Craters

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine images of Moon craters and speculate about what caused them. They create craters using sand weighted balls. Students measure crater sizes and draw ejection patterns to see what effect size, weight, and velocity have on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students use a simple physical model of the Earth, sun, and moon to understand why the moon changes phases from the perspective of Earthly observers. They hold up balls representing the moon in a room with a single light source to see...