Phases+of+the+Moon


 * Lesson Phases of the Moon**

//__Motivation:__// Read The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn Branley Presentation: The teacher will show the students a video of the moon phases. The students will share any observations and knowledge they already have about why the moon seems to change. The teacher will guide the discussion by asking probing questions to guide the students to the information on their own versus just telling them the information. Once the students come up with the fact that the moon is lit by the sun, stay the same size, but just the parts that light up are different, then the teacher can post the words that define each phase. Telling the students which one matches with each picture.

//__Guided Practice:__// The students, along with the teacher, will fill in the moon chart with the defining titles corresponding to each phase of the moon. Another portion of guided practice will include the students practicing labeling the moon phases with online games and simulations. This will allow for the students to practice labeling the phases while the computer is in charge of making sure they are on the correct path. Although, this is mostly, drill and basic practice, it is needed to help internalize the vocabulary and visual connections to the moon phase pictures.

//__Independent Practice:__// Each night the students will go outside and observe the moon. They will fill in their monthly moon chart, which will include the title of the moon and coloring to show what part of the moon is visible. In addition, each night one student will be in charge of taking a picture of the moon, uploading the picture to the class Wiki moon chart, and describing the night sky.

Although, most of this lesson has been face-to-face, it is imperative to include this part as an online portion for the lesson to continue through the two entire months so that the students can see the changes of the moon without it taking too much away from the other content that needs to be covered. In addition, “asynchronous computer-mediated conferencing supports flexibility, reflection, interpersonal and teamwork skill development, motivation, and collaborative learning environments — resulting in deep and meaningful understandings and communities of inquiry” (Garrison, 2004, p. 98). Students will learn to depend on each other to gather information separately and come together to complete a project.

//__Evaluation:__// The monthly moon chart will be collected at the end of each month to check that the student is labeling the phases correctly. The teacher will also perform a paper test assessment.