Lunar Phases and Eclipses
For additional Moon-related activities and resources, go here.
Activities
- A Paper Moon: Observing Lunar Changes (1st–5 th grades)
Observe the Moon through a month of changes and chart the pattern of phases. - Phrases for Phases: Singing the Lunar Cycle (1st–6th grades)
Sing a song that teaches and reinforces names, shapes, and the sequence of our Moon's eight primary phases - Fruit for Phases (3rd–9th grades)
Explore the movements of our Moon, Earth, and Sun that cause the phases of our Moon - Fishing for Phases (3rd–7th grades)
Play a game to reinforce the pattern of the lunar phase cycle - Fruit Loops (3rd–9th grades)
Students explore the dynamics of lunar phases and eclipses to develop an understanding of the relative positions of our Moon, Earth, and Sun that cause the phases of the Moon and eclipses viewed from Earth.
Information
- Background on Lunar Phases (educator)
Written for teachers and informal educators, this information would also be appropriate for students grades 7 and up.
Other Resources
- Moon phases audio-visual resources (PK–adult)
Recommended videotape and cassettes for Students from pre-school through adults. - Books on Lunar Phases (PK–adult)
A variety of recommended books with information, legends, and activities on lunar phases, for a broad range of ages. - Web sites for Lunar Phases (PK–adult)
Recommended Web sites for a broad range of ages, with information and activities on the phases of the Moon. - SkyTellers dvd and resource guide ( –8th grade)
LPI set comes with a dvd containing ten traditional Native American stories, each coupled with a science story. It also comes with a resource guide. - Activity Web sites for Eclipses (3rd grade–adult)
Recommended Web sites for a broad range of ages, with eclipse activities. - Informative Web sites for Eclipses (3rd grade–adult)
Recommended Web sites for a broad range of ages, with information on eclipses. - Books on Eclipses (1st grade–adult)
A variety of recommended books with information, legends, and activities on eclipses, for a broad range of ages. - Lunar Phases and Eclipses Powerpoint (Educators)
A powerpoint developed for use in teacher workshops, to be used in conjunction with hands-on activities and other preliminary powerpoints on the Moon. - Earth and Moon Statistics Powerpoint (Educators)
A powerpoint developed for use in teacher workshops, to be used in conjunction with hands-on activities.