Lunar Cycle Lesson Plan – A Complete Science Lesson Using the 5E Method Of Instruction 

The engagement activity continues with a with a Think-Pair-Share “snowball” activity. Students will have to answer a question about why they think the moon looks different over a period of time. Students will “snowball” the paper and toss it into the center of the room for other students to retrieve and read. Also the teacher will model size difference between Earth and moon and distance between the two celestial bodies. This activity will allow teachers to see where student misconceptions are on the topic of the lunar cycle.

Estimated Class Time for the Engagement: 20-30 minutes

EXPLORATION

This student-centered station lab is setup so students can begin to explore the  sequence of the lunar cycle and predict past and future lunar phases. Four of the stations are considered input stations where students are learning new information about the lunar cycle, and four of the stations are output stations where students will be demonstrating their mastery of the input stations.  Each of the stations is differentiated to challenge students using a different learning style.  You can read more about how I setup the station labs here.

EXPLORE IT!

Students will be working in pairs to create a model of the lunar cycle including the Earth, moon, and sun. This station is setup to get students to explore the phases of the moon as the moon revolves around the earth while the earth revolves around the sun. Students will then have to answer a couple questions regarding the amount of light showing on the face of the moon as it revolves around the earth.

WATCH IT!

At this station students will be watching a four and a half minute video about the lunar cycle. The short video covers misconceptions and explains the different phases of the lunar cycle. There are 3 questions relating to the lunar cycle which students will need to answer on their lab sheet.

RESEARCH IT!

The research station will allow students to get online and interact with 3 different activities teaching students about the lunar cycle. Students will then be asked to answer 2 questions based on what they learned during the activities.

READ IT!

This station will provide students with a one page reading about the lunar cycle.  Students are asked four questions about the reading, including what it means to be predictable, alternate passage names, and benefits of certain moon phases..

ASSESS IT!

The assess is station is where students will go to prove mastery over the concepts they learned in the lab.  The questions are setup in a standardized format with multiple choice answers.  Some questions will ask students about waxing and waning, sequence, and identify and predict moon phases based on models.

WRITE IT!

Students who can answer open-ended questions about the lab truly understand the concepts that are being taught.  At this station the students will be answering three questions like explaining the different phases of the moon, describing the light on the moon from earth at certain positions.

ILLUSTRATE IT!

Your visual students will love this station.  Students will be drawing a model of all the phases of the moon as we would see them from earth as the moon revolves around us.

ORGANIZE IT!

The organize it station allows your students to use a manipulative to ensure their understanding each of the lunar cycle. Students will use cards to place lunar phases in sequential order around the earth.

Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: 1-2, 45 minute class periods

EXPLANATION

The explanation activities will become much more engaging for the class once they have completed the exploration station lab.  During the explanation piece the teacher will be clearing up any misconceptions about the lunar cycle with an interactive PowerPoint, anchor charts, and interactive notebook activities.

The lunar cycle lesson includes a PowerPoint with activities scattered throughout to keep the students engaged.

The students will also be interacting with their journals using INB templates for the lunar cycle.  Each INB activity is designed to help students compartmentalize information for greater understanding of the concept.  The lunar cycle INB templates will challenge the students to understand and visualize the lunar cycle and will help students understand how to predict future lunar phases.

Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: 2-3, 45 minute class periods

ELABORATION

The elaboration section of the 5E method of instruction is intended to give students choice on how they can prove mastery of the concept.  When students are given choice the ‘buy-in’ is much greater than when the teacher tells them the project they will have to create.  Each of the lunar cycle projects will allow students to explain and predict the lunar cycle.

Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: 2-3, 45 minute class periods (can also be used as an at-home project)

EVALUATION

The final piece of the 5E model is to evaluate student comprehension.  Included in every 5E lesson is a homework assignment, assessment and modified assessment.  Research has shown that homework needs to be meaningful and applicable to real-world activities in order to be effective.  When possible, I like to give open-ended assessments to truly gauge the student’s comprehension.

Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: 1, 45 minute class period