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Learning Resource Type

Lesson Plan

Cookie Moon

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

1

Overview

As part of the study of space, the students will observe, describe and predict the patterns of the moon. Students will view a Nearpod presentation about the moon's phases to introduce the topic. The students will represent the moon's phases using black and white sandwich cookies and record the phases in their Science journals.

This lesson was created as part of the 2016 NASA STEM Standards of Practice Project, a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 1

    SC15.1.8

    Observe, describe, and predict patterns of the sun, moon, and stars as they appear in the sky (e.g., sun and moon appearing to rise in one part of the sky, move across the sky, and set; stars other than our sun being visible at night, but not during the day).

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.1.8

    Vocabulary

    • observe
    • describe
    • predict
    • pattern
    • sun
    • moon
    • star
    • sky
    • day
    • night
    • sunset
    • sunrise
    • motion
    • appear

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Stars are not seen in the sky during the day, but are seen in the sky at night.
    • The sun is at different positions in the sky at different times of the day, appearing to rise in one part of the sky in the morning and appearing to set in another part of the sky in the evening.
    • The moon can be seen during the day and at night, but the sun can only be seen during the day.
    • The moon is at different positions in the sky at different times of the day or night, appearing to rise in one part of the sky and appearing to set in another part of the sky.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Organize data from observations in order to describe objects in the day/night sky
    • Use patterns found in data from observations to describe and predict the position of objects in the day/night sky.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Patterns related to the appearance of objects in the sky can be observed and used to provide evidence that future appearances of those objects can be predicted.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Analyzing and Interpreting Data

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Patterns

    Primary Learning Objectives

    The students will be able to identify the four phases of the moon. Students will construct models of the phases using black and white sandwich cookies and record the phases in their Science journals.

    Procedures/Activities

    Introduce the topic of moon phases with a Nearpod presentation. https://app.nearpod.com/#/?pin=50E9C6EE330BEF1960D070C687528840-1

    In  groups of 2, students will use cookies to represent the phases of the moon as viewed from earth. Each group will receive 2 cookies and a moon phase sheet. Using the cookies, the sunlit part of the moon will be represented by the white icing and the dark side of the moon will be the chocolate part of the cookie. The teacher will give each student a copy of the four phases of the moon handout. The copy is listed here:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QkWLLbl2oxaHE8sIP9Np3A2hp6QmzT46sKs45tEZz3E/pub 

    The teacher will observe and ask questions. 

    Students will eat their cookies, clean up and return to their desk. Using their Science journals students will draw and label the four phases of the moon.


    Introduce the topic of moon phases with a Nearpod presentation. https://app.nearpod.com/#/?pin=50E9C6EE330BEF1960D070C687528840-1

    In  groups of 2, students will use cookies to represent the phases of the moon as viewed from earth. Each group will receive 2 cookies and a moon phase sheet. Using the cookies, the sunlit part of the moon will be represented by the white icing and the dark side of the moon will be the chocolate part of the cookie. The teacher will give each student a copy of the four phases of the moon handout. The copy is listed here:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QkWLLbl2oxaHE8sIP9Np3A2hp6QmzT46sKs45tEZz3E/pub 

    The teacher will observe and ask questions. 

    Students will eat their cookies, clean up and return to their desk. Using their Science journals students will draw and label the four phases of the moon.

    Assessment Strategies

    Teacher will check student's Science journal for understanding.

    Acceleration

    Students who already know the phases of the moon, can include in their drawing the position of the earth and sun relative to the moon phase.

     

    Intervention

    Grouping students would help students who have trouble with representing the phases. Struggling students could use the four phases of the moon sheet to help with their drawing in Science journals.

    Approximate Duration

    Total Duration

    31 to 60 Minutes

    Background and Preparation

    Background/Preparation

    Teacher needs to be familiar with Nearpod.

    Materials and Resources

    Materials and Resources

    Black/White Sandwich cookies

    Plates

    Craft Sticks

    One Sheet of Paper per Student

    1 Pencil per Student

    Crayons

    Science Journals

    Moon Phases Hand outs

    Technology Resources Needed

    One Tablet per student

    Headphones

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