Intern Name: Amelia Miles

Lesson Title (Subject/Topic): The Phases of the Moon

Grade: 3
Length of Lesson: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Date Taught: 5/3/21
LESSON PLAN TEMPLATE
In this lesson… students will learn the phases of the moon and memorize them
Overview in a plethora of repetition activities.

Standards of Learning
Essential Questions
Objectives
Science 3.8: The student will investigate and understand basic cycles and
patterns occurring in nature
a) patterns of natural events such as day and night, seasonal changes,
simple phases of the moon, and tides
What are the phases of the moon?
How do the phases of the moon affect other cycles like day and night, seasons,
and tides?
Students will be able to… name the phases of the moon and identify them
based on a model.

I can identify the phases of the moon.

Learning Target I can explain how the movement of the moon affects other nature cycles.
Necessary Prior
The cycle of day and night
Knowledge
Moon phases notes worksheet, oreos, popsicle sticks, moon phases flip book
worksheet, scissors, glue, exit ticket worksheet, and gradual moon phases
Materials homework worksheet

Make a connection to what the students might have noticed about the moon
at night: It seems to slightly change every day. These changes are called
Introduction/Hook phases, which occur when the earth and moon are both moving so we can only
see certain parts of the moon each day.
1. Lesson: Hand out a worksheet in which the students draw the moon phases
with their respective labels. Then, give a demonstration of the phases of the
moon in order with pictures, as well as a definition of waxing and waning.
Explain how tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon.
Instructional 2. Oreo Activity: Put students into groups and provide them with 4 oreo
cookies. They can use their notes worksheet as a reference to shape the cream
Activities & on the cookies with a popsicle stick and recreate the moon phases. Once done,
Strategies the phases are checked for accuracy.
3. Flipbook: Again using their notes worksheet as a reference, students are
given a cut and glue activity that creates a flipbook of the moon phases in
order. They are told to memorize using the flipbook in preparation for any
assessments.
Adapted from the Teacher Cadet Curriculum, Property of CERRA—South Carolina © 2004, and/or the Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow Curriculum
John M. Merritt, English Teacher at Kellam High School (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)
Key Vocabulary or waxing, waning, full moon, gibbous, first quarter, crescent, new moon, third
quarter, tides, gravitational pull
Concepts
Exit Ticket: Students are given a half-sheet with a matching activity. They must
Assessments match the labels of the phases of the moon to its according picture. It will be
graded and then discussed the next day for improvement.
Homework: A worksheet is handed out to be completed over the next month.
Closure Activity Each day, students are to look at the moon and draw it under the date.
Gradually, they will begin to notice the pattern they learned in class.
For Sam (hearing impairment): Wear microphone around neck connected to
his hearing aids for clearer hearing.
Accommodations For Emma (setting issues): Complete exit ticket in a separate room or the
hallway so she doesn’t become overwhelmed.
Resources Third grade science textbook

Adapted from the Teacher Cadet Curriculum, Property of CERRA—South Carolina © 2004, and/or the Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow Curriculum
John M. Merritt, English Teacher at Kellam High School (Virginia Beach City Public Schools)