A few days ago, we started our unit study on the moon. We read several books and created an easy moon model. We then started learning about the lunar cycle and the moon phases.
READ HOW WE CREATED AN EASY MOON MODEL
There are so many fun activities you could do with this unit. We did 3 hands-on learning activities to study the phases of the moon.
I try to incorporate as many hands-on activities with my boys. Children are more engaged and interested in learning when they are involved in hands-on projects. Learning becomes much more alive and fun. My boys retain so much more information when they can see, touch and manipulate things. It activates multiple areas of the brain.
PHASES OF THE MOON LEARNING ACTIVITIES
OREO COOKIES
We created the phases of the moon using Oreo cookies. Oreos are a staple in learning about the moon phases. The boys couldn’t wait to get done with the lesson to eat all of it.
MATERIALS:
- Oreo cookies
- Model of the Earth (we made a small Earth out of playdough)
DIRECTIONS:
- Take out 8 Oreos and separate the top and bottom cookie.
- Then carve out the cream to represent each phase.
MOON PHASES POSTER
MATERIALS
- 8 black circle cut outs (1 1/2in)
- 1 blue circle (3in)
- white, blue and green paint
- labels with phases printed
- glue
DIRECTIONS
1) Draw and color earth on blue paper
2) Glue Earth in the middle
3) Color the black circle cuts with white paint to represent the different phases
4) Glue the phases on a cardstock
5) Label all the different phases
MOON PHASES MODEL
Creating the moon phases model was my favorite activity. I wanted to make a tangible model of the phases for my boys to use for a while.
MATERIALS:
- 4 (1.9 in) Styrofoam balls
- Black and Ivory paint
- paint brushes
- knife (parent)
DIRECTIONS:
1) Cut each Styrofoam ball into half (This step is for the parents)
2) Paint all halves black (you could leave one white for the full moon and just paint it ivory)
3) Wait for the paint to dry
4) Using the Ivory color, paint each half to represent a different phase
5) Your moon phases model is ready.
I’ve created moon phases informational cards to go along with this activity. It contains all 8 phases with information about each phase. The cards come in so handy with the moon phases models. You can place this in a learning tray (Montessori) or use it as a teaching aide.
BOOKS WE ENJOYED READING:
Papa, Please Get The Moon For Me by Eric Carle
The Moon Book By Gail Gibbons
Faces of The Moon by Bob Crelin
Many Moons By Remi Courgeon
So That’s How The Moon Changes Shape By Allan Fowler
The Moon Seems To Change By Branley
WE USED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR THIS PROJECT:
Styrofoam Balls
Paint
Paintbrushes
