Changes in the Moon

Science AAGSEs Linked to this science investigation

Grade 4: Observe/Question Make and describe observations in order to ask questions, and/or make predictions related to the science investigation.

ESS2.1.2 Identify the moonESS 2.1.2b Identify the changes in the moon’s appearance

Grade 8: Planning Identify information/evidence that needs to be collected and/or tool to be used in order to answer the question and/or check a prediction.

ESS 2.1.2 Identify the moonESS 2.1.2b Identify and record the changes in the moon’s appearance

Grade 8: Conducting Use data to summarize resultsESS 2.1.2 Identify the moonESS 2.1.2b Identify and record the changes in the moon’s appearance

Grade 11: Conducting: Use accepted methods for organizing, representing and/or manipulating dataESS 2.1.2 Identify the moonESS 2.1.2b Identify and record the changes in the moon’s appearance

Grade 11: Analyzing: Use evidence to support and/or justify interpretations and/or conclusions or explain how the evidence refutes the hypothesis

ESS 2.1.2 Identify the moonESS 2.1.2b Identify and record the changes in the moon’s appearanceESS 2.1.2c Compare the daily times the moon becomes visible throughout the year

Other Concepts embedded in the science investigations

In addition to science concepts, students will learn about the following:

Passage of time/Calendar ConceptsSince this investigation had the student document the moon over a period of time, they will use a calendar to collect and record data, using concepts of days of the week, weeks in the month.

Day vs. Night, light vs. dark are also introduced when discussing times to see the moon outside.

Concepts of ChangeHow the moon looks different as the phases of the moon change are key concepts in this investigation. Concepts include: *Recognizing change *Matching like objects (the moon seen matched to the images used to record data on the calendar) *More vs. Less when describing how the moon changes (i.e. do you see more moon or do you see less moon?)

Changes in the Moon

Overview of the science investigation

OBSERVE/QUESTION

Students review key vocabulary such as : moon, phase, full moon, new moon, half moon, waxing crescentStudents can watch a video about the phases of the moon (see resources) and describe what they observe.Students create a research question such as:

How many days does it take for the moon to go from full to new? Does the moon change? How does the moon change?

PLAN Students can plan this investigation by:Students identify the tools they will need in the investigation such as:

Moon Phases Data Calendar Phases of the Moon Chart Newspaper Computer- website to access Phases of the Moon daily

Students can help create their Moon Phases Data Calendar Students assist in creating their Moon Phases Data Calendar by putting dates in for the month(s) they

will investigate the moon.

Students can plan when data will be taken Students can plan a schedule of moon viewing and can convey this on their Moon Phases Data

Calendar by highlighting data days. Students who need more dramatic changes may want to view the moon once or twice a week. Students who can determine less dramatic changes can view more often.

CONDUCT Students can conduct the investigation by Viewing the moon on the schedule set Locate the source of information (newspaper, computer, viewing previous night outside) Students record their data using the Moon Phases Data Calendar Complete the summary of how the moon changes

ANALYZE Students review their data to answer their research question

Changes in the Moon InvestigationResources

Web resourcesIntroduction to the Moon for kids. The Moon orbits the Earth; lunar phases; and lunar and solar eclipses. First in a series of three videos.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHlMReTpJXw

http://www.mensaforkids.org/teach/lesson-plans/the-moon/

FOSS Science Kit: Sun, Moon, and Planets-This is an excellent source for photographs

To view a daily online phase of the moon for Providence:http://www.timeanddate.com/moon/usa/providence

PowerPoint about simple concepts involving the moon(PowerPoint has lots of photographs and is very focused in simple terms)http://literacy.nationaldb.org/index.php/vocabulary/ Scroll down the webpage to:

Vocabulary Definitions/Symbols

* indicates the most important vocabulary for this investigation.

Moon* An object that moves around a planet

Phase the particular appearance presented by the moon at a given time.

Observe To look closely for details

Look To turn head/eyes to see something.

new moon* full moon*

Waxing crescent

Waning gibbous

Half moon*(1st quarter

moon)

Half moon3rd quarter

moon

Waxing gibbous

Waning crescent*

Name ________________________ Date __________________________

Science: Observe/QuestionDeveloping a research question

Write your observations:

Write 2 research questions below.

1. ________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________

Grade 4: Observe/Question

Name ________________________ Date __________________________

Science: Observe/Question

Developing a Research Question

Grade 4: Observe/Question

Name ________________________ Date __________________________

Grade 4: Observe/Question

Name ________________________ Date __________________________

Suggestions of possible Research Questions

Grade 4: Observe/Question

Name ________________________ Date __________________________

Changes in the Moon Science InvestigationPLANNING:

Identifying the Evidence and Tools Needed to Answer the Research Question

Evidence NeededWhat data will you need to collect to answer the Research Question?

What tools are needed to answer the Research Question?

Grade 8: Inquiry Construct-PLANNING- Identifying the Evidence and/or Tools Needed to Answer the Research Question

Name ________________________ Date __________________________

PLANNINGIdentifying the Tools Needed to Answer the Research Question

Science Tools Needed

Grade 8: Planning

Phases of the Moon Chart

Grade 8: Planning

Grade 8: Planning

Grade 8: Planning

Moon Phase Data Calendar

Name ________________________

Moon Phase Data Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Grade 8: Planning

Name ________________________

Moon Phase Data Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Grade 8: Planning

Possible Tools Needed

Phases of the Moon ChartMoon Phase

Data CalendarNewspaper

Computer websiteMoon Phase

Data Calendar

Grade 8: Planning

Changes in the Moon Lab Report

CONDUCTING: Following Procedures

Procedures Completed

How Did You Do? Great Okay I had trouble

1Get Moon Phase Data Calendar,

2Go to newspaper or internet to find the phase of the moon.

3Find the correct day.

4Find the picture that matches the phase of the moon for this day.

5Record the phase of the moon on your Moon Phase Data Calendar.

Grade 4: Conducting: Following Procedures

Changes in the Moon Lab Report

CONDUCTING: Following Procedures

Procedures Completed

How Did You Do?

1

2

3

4

5

Grade 4: Conducting: Following Procedures

Changes in the Moon Lab ReportConducting: Following Procedures

1.

Get Moon Calendar. Put moon calendar here

2.

Go to the computer. Put Computer mouse here

3Find Today. Put one calendar square here

4.

Find the picture that matches the phase of the moon.

Insert choices for phase of the moon

5.Put on Moon Calendar. Put pencil or glue stick here

Grade 4: Conducting: Following Procedures

Moon Phase Data Chart

Grade 11: Conducting: Using accepted methods of organizing/representing data (Was the data organized on the table?)

Name ____________________________________ Date _________________________

Changes in the Moon Science InvestigationLab Report

DATASUMMARY

What is the Phase of the Moon today?

How is the Moon Changing?

Date:

Date:

Date:

Grade 8 Conducting: Use Data to Summarize Results

Name ____________________________________ Date _________________________

Changes in the Moon Science InvestigationLab Report

DATASUMMARY

What is the Phase of the Moon today?

Date:

bigger smaller

Date:

bigger smaller

Grade 8 Conducting: Use Data to Summarize Results

Name ____________________________________ Date _________________________

Changes in the Moon Science Investigation ANALYZING RESULTS

(Use your Moon Phase Data Calendar)

Grade 11: Analyzing: Use evidence to support and or justify interpretations or to explain results using hypothesis/research question

Name ____________________________________ Date _________________________

Changes in the Moon Science InvestigationANALYZING RESULTS

Write Your Research Question:

Answer Your Research Question:

How Do You Know? (Use your data to explain.)

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Grade 11: Analyzing: Use evidence to support and or justify interpretations or to explain results using hypothesis/research question