Moon Phases

Introduction

Welcome Mrs. Nicole's Nerdy Scientists!!

Nerdy Scientists, Today you are tasked with studying the phases of the moon and how they affect the Earth. 

With your small group you will work together to discover the Moon's: Phase Order and its affect on the Earth.

Pencils at the ready scientist lets get ready to learn!!

 

Task

Scientists Let's get ready!

At the end of this assignment you will:

Know the phase order of the moon

Know the phase pattern

How the Moon affects the Earth!

Process

Small Groups: Choose a leader and a someone to record your findings. Work together with your interactive notebook. 

Group 1: Moon Phases:

How many phases are there?

What are each Phase?

Group 2: Moon Pattern

What is the pattern of the moon?

What is the significance of the moon patterns?

Group 3: Moon's affect on the Earth

What is the moon's purpose?

How does it affect the Earth?

Resources:

NASA Science

National Science Foundation

Science.gov

space.com

Present: Each group will present their findings to the class. 

Submit your Work: Each group will turn in their group paper after their presentation. 

 

Evaluation

You will be graded on:

Category 4-Excellent 3-Good 2-Needs Improvement 1-Incomplete

Content 

Accuracy

All answers are accurate, detailed, and fully answered. Most answers are accurate and complete with minor errors and missing details.  Some answers are inaccurate or incomplete. Many answers are incomplete or missing. 
Use of Resources Used all the required resources effectively. Used some of the required resources.  Limited use of the recommended resources.  No evidence of using the provided resources. 
Interactive Notebook Work Notebook includes clear creative visuals and notes related to the topic.  Notebook includes relevant visuals and notes Notebook is incomplete or lack detail.  Notebook is missing or off-topic. 
Team Collaboration The group worked very well together all members contributed.  The group worked well; most members contributed.  Some issues with teamwork; a few did most of the work.  Poor teamwork; little cooperation or contribution. 
Presentation The presentation is clear, engaging, and well organized; all members speak. The presentation is organized and clear; most members speak. The presentation lacks organization or clarity; few members speak The presentation is confusing, off-topic, not completed. 
Group Paper Submission The paper is neat, complete, and well written with accurate info.  The Paper is complete with a few errors. The Paper is missing parts or contains several errors.  Paper is incomplete or not turned in. 

 

Conclusion

Well Done Scientists!! You weren't the first to discover the moon but you learned important facts about the moon and how it helps us here on Earth. You now the reason it's called a Full Moon, and a fun fact about tides. 

Each group gave a pretty detailed presentation, logging all your finds in your interactive notebook means you full in the know of the moon and her purpose. 

Exit Questions: What was one thing you enjoyed about the assignment? What was one thing you learned that you didn't already know? What if anything shocked you about this assignment?

Credits

Websites attached:

nasascience.gov

Space.com

Science.gov

Nationalsciencefoundation.org

 

 

Teacher Page

Grade Level: 4th

Duration: Blocks 1-3

Materials: Chromebooks, interactive notebook, index cards, and book for extra material.