Moon Phases Lab & Lesson: Learning the Moon Phases & Patterns

This lab begins with a great introduction to teaching moon phases because it allows students to visually observe the changing phases of the moon as a result of the relative positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon. Give your students this amazing EXPERIENCE that they will not forget. Don't just read about it or teach it, but let your students SEE for themselves! By the end of Day 1, students should understand why/how we have moon phases and should be able to predict the next phase in a sequence.

Materials Needed for this 4-Day Lesson:

• Styrofoam Balls (1 for each student)- Like these: Amazon Link
• Sharp Pencils (1 for each Student)
• Lamp without a Lamp Shade
• Possibly an extension cord, depending on your classroom setup

Day 2 of this resource has students predicting what comes next in the Lunar Cycle and naming each Moon Phase.

Day 3 has students learn and remember each Moon Phase and it's name without seeing the previous phase of the Moon by playing MOON PHASE MEMORY against their teacher then against a classmate! It truly makes a fun and engaging way to memorize the Moon Phases!

Day 4 involves a lesson that teaches students to recognize patterns in the Moon Phases and encourages thought-provoking discussion in the classroom such as "Why is the First and Third Quarter Moon called First and Third quarter if they are half lit up in that position?" and "Why doesn't the Earth's shadow cover the Moon in the Full Moon phase since the Earth is between the Sun and Moon in this position?"

Students will leave this four day lesson with understanding of the Moon's Phases, why they happen, how to predict what Moon Phase is next when given a sequence, the answers to the challenging questions mentioned previously, and most importantly a love for learning! ❤️