Objects in the Night Sky: Moon

Author:CharlyHolik
Datecreated:11/06/20163:31PMCSTDatemodified:11/17/201611:33AMCST

VITALINFORMATION
Subject(s) Science

Topic and Name of Lesson Earth Science: Earth and Space: Objects in the Sky

Grade/Level Kindergarten

Standards
TX- Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) (2012)
Chapter: Chapter 112. Science
Subchapter: Elementary
Grade/Course: Kindergarten
Standard:
(8) Earth and space. The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among objects in the sky. The student is
expected to:
Student Expectation:
(C) observe, describe, and illustrate objects in the sky such as the clouds, Moon, and stars, including the Sun.

Objective At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

1) describe objects in the night sky

2) identify the moon as an object in the night sky

Pre-Requisite Skills None for this lesson

Materials Forteacher:

Largepaperforobservationsandpredictions
Marker
Papa,pleasegetthemoonformebyEricCarle
imagesofthemoon(8)
Prewrittendefinitionofthemoon

Forstudents:

Clipboardwithpaper
Pencil
Blackconstructionpaper and lightcoloredcrayons
TeachermadeNightSkysensorybottle
Images(moon, clouds, sun, stars, rainbow, bird, bat) and venn diagram
Tin foil circle
Liquid Glue
Whitecoloredpencils
Emptypapertowelroll(forextension)

Safety:Noneneededforthislesson,butbesuretoadvisestudentstoneverlookdirectlyatthesun!

InstructionalCycle
Engage
Beginthelessonbyreadingthefunchildren'sbook:Papa,pleasegetthemoonformebyEricCarle(askstudentstopredictwhat
mightbeinthebookbasedonthefrontcover)
Predictwhatobjectsareinthenightskybyclosingeyesandimaginingtheskyatnight,(reviewillustrationsinthebookifneeded)
Recordpredictionsonalargechartandaddressmisunderstandings

Explore Activity1:

IntroduceNightSkysensorybottlesandaskstudentstodescribetheitemsthattheyobserveintheirnightsky.
Havestudentsexploreanddiscusswhatitemstheyseeinthe"nightsky"

Explain
Have students present their finding to the group.
Add new items to the running list.
Ask students, based on the activities that they have just completed:

1. Is there is anything that we see in the night sky but not during the day?
2. Do you know of anything that we see in the sky during the day and at night?
3. If needed ask, Have you ever seen the moon during the day?

Introduce the concept that the moon can be seen at night as well as during the day.

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 Introduce some picture of the moon in the sky during the day and night.
Have students categorize pictures as daytime or nighttime.
Introduce and define the Moon as: the large round object that circles the Earth and that shines at night by reflecting light from the sun (use
hand demonstration to illustrate "that circles the Earth")
Have students repeat the definition of the moon and discuss (ask questions to check understanding/ redirect misunderstanding)

Elaborate
Using what they have learned thus far, have work in pairs to categorize images into three categories: Objects in the night sky, objects in the day
sky, and both
Give each pair a group of images (moon, clouds, sun, stars, rainbow, comet) and a venn diagram
Allows students to categorize the images and then raise their hand
Have students describe their work and correct any misunderstandings
When most or all students are finished, briefly discuss.

Evaluation
Using the moon card from the previous categorizing activity point out the craters on the moon.
Ask students about them and then define them.
Using a tin foil circle have students create a moon to put in their night sky.
Have students crumble and then smooth out their tin foil moon to create the moon's "craters."
Allow student to glue their moon to the night sky and add at least 3 other objects into their night sky.
As students finish, have them describe their work. Questions to ask: "What are some other objects we can see in the night sky?" "What did you
learn today about the moon?" "Do you remember how we define what the moon is?" "Is there anything else you learned today?"
If students finish while you are talking to another student, have them add to their picture with more details and labels.

Extensions/Modifications
Differentiation Gifted and Talented Students: Allow students to write a sentence describing their picture.

English Language Learners: Allow students to work with their classroom buddy.

Extend Extend:

Allow students to look outside to observe the sky. Have students try to find objects in the sky that are also in the night sky.
Have students decorate empty paper towel rolls as "telescopes" to observe the night sky that evening.

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