Subject: Science “ the phases of the moon”

Grade: 1

Behavioral Objective

The first grade learner will model understanding of the eight phases of the

moon using the Oreo cream-cookie representation activity.

Distinguish between scientific fact and opinion.

Ask questions about objects, organisms, and events.

Understand that all scientific investigations involve asking and answering

questions and comparing the answer with what is already known.

Plan and conduct a simple investigation and understand that different

questions require different kinds of investigations.

Use simple equipment (tools and other technologies) to gather data and

understand that this allows scientists to collect more information than

relying only on their senses to gather information.

Use data/evidence to construct explanations and understand that scientists

develop explanations based on their evidence and compare them with

their current scientific knowledge.

Communicate procedures and explanations giving priority to evidence

and understanding that scientists make their results public, describe their

investigations so they can be reproduced, and review and ask questions

about the work of other scientists.

Materials Needed

One pre-made paper plate with moon phases attached

8 Oreo cookies, split per student

One plastic spoon per student

Anticipatory Set

The teacher will remind students of the phases of the moon with a quick

review of the 8 different phases. The teacher will then explain that each

student will show a full lunar cycle that is edible at each of their very own

seats!

Activity

Each student will be given 8 split Oreo cookies and one plate with the

phases of the moon on the bottom of the plate. The student will use their

spoon to move the cream off the cookie to model the correct phase of the

moon. After completing eight correct moon phases with their cookies, the

student will label each phase of the moon with the correct name strip (New

moon, full moon, waxing crescent, waning crescent, first quarter, last

quarter, waxing gibbous, waning gibbous). Once the student has correctly

labeled the „moons‟, they may eat the cookies and take the plate home,

where it can be used to track the moon in their own neighborhood.

Closure

The teacher will review the correct phases of the moon in the correct order

before allowing the students to eat their moon phases. The teacher will also

show each student that their moon phase plate can be hung in a window so

students may follow the phases of the moon from their own window.

Assessment

The teacher will continually walk around and assist students in the activity.

The teacher will be checking for understanding and making sure that each

student is on track with their moon phases during the activity. The teacher

will informally assess each student as she walks around and a formative

assessment will be noted upon the completion of the activity. Students will

be given a check plus (√+) for completing the activity to the best of their

ability, a check (√) for work that is complete, but not to the best of their

ability, and a check minus (√-) foe work that is below their working ability.

Accountability

Each student is responsible for modeling the phases of the moon using

cookie cream. The phases should closely resemble the phases of the moon,

as noted on the bottom of the moon phases plate.