Lunar and Planetary Institute






Lunar Phases
"Drawing Conclusions" About Moon Faces


Illustrate!
Children illustrate the Native American story and the science story of why we have phases of the Moon. Illustration detail will depend on the age of the children.

The Activity
Ask the children to think about the stories they just heard about why the Moon has different faces.

  • What happened in the story?
  • What does it explain about our Moon?
  • How do scientists explain the faces — or phases — of the Moon?
Invite the children to illustrate the Native American story of why we have Moon phases . Older children can work individually or in groups to illustrate the science story.

Extensions

Invite the children to create and illustrate their "own" story of why we have Moon phases.

Expand the types of materials available to include paint, tissue paper, glue, scissors, etc., so the children can make mosaics, mobiles, or sculptures to illustrate the stories.


More Activities

 

Last updated
January 9, 2007

 

Who?
Ages 5 and up

How Long?
30–60minutes

What's Needed?

• Crayons, colored pencils or markers
• Paper or Poster Board

Connections to the National Science Standard(s)

Standards A&D (grades K–4): Understand and communicate the explanation (through illustration) of the pattern of movement of the Moon across the sky, as well as the observable cycle of changes in the Moon's shape within a month.

Standards A&D (grades 5–8): Understand and communicate the scientific explanation of how objects in the solar system have regular and predictable motion that explains such phenomena as phases of the Moon and eclipses.