Lesson Plan: Earth and Moon: Phases of the Moon
This lesson plan includes the objectives, prerequisites, and exclusions of the lesson teaching students how to identify, describe, and explain the phases of the Moon.
Objectives
Students will be able to
- define what phases of the Moon are,
- identify the eight phases of the Moon,
- explain the difference between crescent and gibbous moons,
- define the terms waxing and waning,
- explain what causes the phases of the Moon.
Prerequisites
Students should already be familiar with
- the parts of the solar system,
- the fact that the Moon orbits Earth,
- the fact that Earth orbits the Sun,
- the meaning and duration of a lunar month.
Exclusions
Students will not cover
- any detail of the surface of the Moon.