Phases of the Moon Lesson Plan with Stations & Investigation
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We all know what moon phases look like from Earth. The moon goes through the lunar cycle about once a month, and it has forever! But, sometimes teaching moon phases isn’t so easy! That’s why The Moon Phases Full Unit Bundle is perfect! Let your students read about, investigate, learn about, and reviPrice $8.00Original Price $10.00Save $2.00
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Stop searching for the perfect phases of the moon lesson plan and investigation, because guess what? You’ve found it! Teaching moon phases to middle school students can be really tricky because it’s abstract. They have a hard time grasping it. That’s exactly what this moon phase lesson plan, stations activity, and investigation addresses!
This two-day, low prep, fully loaded moon phases lesson plan with digital and hands-on activities will engage your students and really help them understand how moon phases work!
On day one, students need to know some basic information about how moon phases work! They’ll use short, informational reading passages to gain some background information about:
The Lunar Cycle
Moonlight
Naming the Phases
New & Full Moons
*DIGITAL*Please Note* The stations portion of this moon phases activity is able to be completed digitally through Google Slides, and is included. Due to the design of the investigation, the investigation portion and lab sheet cannot be completed digitally. However, the response questions can be completed through Google Slides, and is included.
As they go to different stations in this phases of the moon lesson plan, they will complete a fill-in–the-blank guide in one of two ways! Either print off the guide and let students go, or use the cut and glue option for a little extra hands-on learning and critical thinking!
Want to use this in a composition notebook? Each activity has been formatted to print at 85% scale and still fit well inside of a composition notebook!
You might also be interested in:
Earth’s Rotation & Revolution Interactive Notebook
Moon Phases Review Silly Story
On the second day, actually show students how the moon phases work in an engaging, yet easy investigation. Using a diagram, they’ll be able to see how the shadowed and illuminated portion of the moon change as the moon revolves around Earth. Then, they’ll critically think about the moon phases as they compare them.
Everything you need is right inside of this phases of the moon lesson plan for middle school students!
This resource includes:
✨ Complete teacher directions and suggestions so you know exactly how to use this resource
✨ Four informational reading passages to be used as stations - in color and black and white (digital included)
✨Fill-in-the-blank guide for students to follow along as they go to different stations. Regular printable page or fill-in-the-blank-strips for extra hands on experience (digital included)
✨Clear student directions with photos to help them walk through the investigation - without asking you a thousand questions!
✨Blackline and color version of Moon Phases Diagram for student investigation with corresponding lab sheet to make sure students diagram what they’re seeing (digital NOT included)
✨Moon Phases Photo Bank for students to reference moon shapes throughout the lab - either as an accommodation or just some extra help.
✨Comprehensive critical thinking questions to guide them through thinking about how moon phases work
✨Complete answer keys to help you clear up any confusion
To learn more about moon phases & space science, check out:
What’s the difference between rotation and revolution?
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