Moon Phases Lesson Plan – First and Second Grade Lesson Plan

Grade Level : 1st and 2nd Grade

Benchmark Description :

SC.2.E.7.1: Compare and describe changing patterns in nature that repeat themselves.

LA.2.1.7.3 – summarize information in text, including but not limited to main idea, supporting details, and connections between texts.

LA.2.1.7.4 – identify cause-and-effect relationships in text.

LA.2.4.2.2 – record information (e.g., observations, notes, lists, charts, map labels, legends) related to a topic.

LA.2.4.2.3 – write informational/expository paragraphs that contain a topic sentence, supporting details, and relevant information.

Body of Knowledge: Science & Language Arts

Objectives:

After this lesson:

Students will understand that Moon goes through phases and looks different every night.

Students will make Moon observations each night at the same time for two weeks.

Students will learn that the Moon does not shine on its own, but reflects the Sun’s light.

The Moon orbits around the Earth.

Students will understand that Moon changes follow a pattern.

Students will understand that we only see one side of the Moon.

Students will learn new vocabulary, New Moon, First Quarter, Crescent Moon, Full Moon, Third Quarter Moon, and Orbit.

Students will complete a word study.

Materials:

Moon chart

Pencils

Color Pencils

Journals

“Papa, Please Get The Moon For Me” By Eric Carle

Procedures:

Students will track the moon phases for two weeks. They will draw their findings on their Moon charts.

Teacher will start the class with the discussion about students’ Moon findings and observations.

Teacher will present pictures of the Moon along with the new vocabulary.

Teacher will discuss with students the reason that some of their findings are not the same.

Teacher will introduce “Papa, Please Get The Moon For Me” by Eric Carle

Throughout the book teacher will note the changing phases of the Moon. Teacher and students will discuss the text forms fiction and non fiction.

Teacher and students will identify Moon phases and apply new vocabulary to the text.

Teacher will summarize the story through a think aloud and he/she will involve students in making connections between the story ”Papa, Please Get The Moon For Me” and their own observations and conclusions.

Assessment:

Students will complete their two week Moon charts.

Students will write a paragraph about their findings in their journals.

Extension Activities:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0714_040714_moonfacts.html

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question3.html

http://www.noao.edu/education/phases/phases_demo.html

10 Best Christmas Books for Children

1. The Night Before Christmas Pop-Up- by Clement Moore
2. Eric Carle’s Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar – Eric Carle
3. How The Grinch Stole Christmas- by Dr. Seuss
4. Olive, the Other Reindeer - by J. otto Seibold
5. Merry Christmas Mom and Dad – by Mercer Mayer
6. The Polar Express – by Chris Van Allsburg
7. Mr. Christmas (Mr. Men Series) - by Roger Hargreaves
8. Little Miss Christmas (Mr. Men and LIttle Miss Series) –
9. The Night Before the Night Before Christmas – by Natasha Wing
10. Arthur’s Christmas : An Arthur Adventure – by Marc Brown

Eric Carle- Rooster’s Off to See the World- First Math Concepts

Rooster’s Off to See the World – by Eric Carle

Eric Carle’s books are just brilliant. They are inspiring, fun, and educational, and they are books that parents enjoy to read as well. In this story a rooster decides that he wants to go see the world, and as he starts his adventure he invites his other animal friends. And as cats, frogs, turtles, and fish join him, a child is able to visualize addition of animals, and then subtraction, as animals return to their homes. In addition to being a great first math concept book, this is often one of the first books that your child can read independently. It is a wonderful story that will be read many times over.

Hope you enjoy it!