MOON PHASES
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This lesson focuses on the phases of the moon and why we view it as we do from the earth. This is a hands-on activity that gives students the opportunity to play with the placing of the sun and moon.
Pre-make: Put a giant white styrofoam ball on the end of a long stick. Have a lamp available or a singular light source.
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LESSON
Turn the lights off in the room, the presenter (parent) will stand in the middle of the room with the stick and ball extended out in front of them. A singular light source will be in one corner of the room.
Ask the student about the observations they have about how the styrofoam ball looks. Is there more or less of the ball they can see based on where you are standing?
After observations and discussion, tell the student what the light, ball, and position represent. *The ball is the moon, light is the sun, teachers position is the view from earth*
The student will then be asked to research and find out the 8 phases of the moon. Have them draw and label each phase of the moon as well as if it is waxing or weaning.
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MATERIALS
Styrofoam ball
a long stick
lamp or light source
pencils,
iPads/cellphones/computer