Patterns of Change - the Moon Activities for 4th Grade Science

The Kesler Science Patterns of Change – The Moon 4th Grade Complete 5E Lesson provides everything needed for an engaging, multi-day exploration of how the Moon’s appearance changes over time. With minimal prep, students take charge of their learning through hands-on activities, differentiated resources, and multimodal instruction. Printable and digital formats offer flexibility, while editable PowerPoints and Spanish translations ensure accessibility for all learners.  

Students discover lunar patterns through the well-researched 5E Model. In the Exploration phase, a nine-station, student-led lab allows learners to investigate through reading, research, videos, and hands-on experiments. Output stations encourage students to demonstrate understanding by organizing, writing, illustrating, and assessing key concepts, with an extra challenge station for enrichment.  

Supporting materials include interactive notebooks, editable note-taking templates, and differentiated assessments. Whether used in-class or virtually, this lesson provides a dynamic, student-centered approach to understanding the Moon’s patterns of change.

The Kesler Science Patterns of Change – The Moon Station Lab immerses 4th graders in hands-on exploration of lunar patterns, shadows, and seasonal changes. Students collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict patterns, fostering deeper scientific understanding. The student-led structure ensures engagement while minimizing teacher prep time.  

With eight differentiated stations and a challenge station for early finishers, students engage with new concepts through reading, videos, research, and hands-on activities. Output stations provide creative ways to demonstrate learning, including writing, illustrations, and manipulatives. The modular design allows for independent or small-group work.  

This versatile lab requires minimal classroom materials and offers digital options for flexible learning environments. Whether in-person or virtual, students will explore and apply lunar science concepts in a meaningful, interactive way.

The Kesler Science Patterns of Change - The Moon Student Choice Projects give 4th graders the freedom to demonstrate their learning in a way that suits their strengths. With six structured project options and a “design your own” choice, students can engage with lunar patterns in a meaningful way. An editable rubric supports teacher, peer, or self-assessment.  

Designed for flexibility, this resource includes a modified version with targeted support for students who need extra guidance, while advanced learners can combine multiple projects for deeper exploration. The multimodal approach ensures students can showcase their understanding through writing, visuals, or hands-on activities.  

Using everyday classroom materials like paper, markers, and scissors, these projects encourage creativity and critical thinking. Many options can also be completed digitally, making them adaptable for any learning environment.