Classroom Implementation

Students will have their own Moon blog with observations and misconceptions included in something like a spiral notebook or journal. Because of the lack of technology in some households, I would have the students draw and write what the moon looks like every night using a Moon Observation calendar. When students are observing the Moon for themselves, they will be able to see how the phases of the moon work for themselves.

As a review for a test, I would let my students make the phases of the moon using Oreo cookies! This activity could be done with any grade level, depending on the criteria you require from them. So for my 4th graders, I would require them to define each moon phase, along with a brief summary for each. They can work with a partner, use previous notes, and use any resources that they may think will help them.  I will also want my students to illustrate the Sun and the Earth showing where they both should be. 

Communication with Parents

As a teacher, I will have a classroom blog that parents can visit daily so that they can have easy access to everything we will be doing in class and everything we will be doing as a school (forms, daily schedule, info about lessons, etc.). And so that parents can help their child with observing the moon, I will have explicit and detailed instructions posted on the classroom blog so that parents help their child observe the moon. There will also be a rubric posted to the blog just so parents can know what I am looking for, and also different websites about the moon that could help the students. I will also send home a rubric with all of the students as well.