I love to study the moon with my students and I always begin our unit of study with a few videos. There are Brain Pop videos on the Moon, the Moon Phases and an Eclipse (subscription-based) and another free video on Khan Academy. Younger students will enjoy the Brainpop Jr. video on the moon and there is Storybot video on Youtube.
Khan Academy has three videos on the moon, and one focuses on solar and lunar eclipses. The videos are geared towards slightly older students (mine are in second-grade), but there are some good snippets and explanations so we watch them.
Each of the videos is just over 5 minutes, a great resource for any Moon unit.
Recently, we experienced a lunar eclipse with a super blood moon. Today, we spent some time going over the phases of the moon and what exactly happens during an eclipse.
The resource I put together shows the eight phases of the moon and the name for each phase. Each phase of the moon image measures the same size as an Oreo cookie and the cookies fit right on top of the image. Instant student engagement! #winning
I paired my students with a partner (to reduce Oreo intake) and with 4 Oreos per team, they were challenged to recreate all 8 phases. Afterward, students may eat their results which works out to a couple of cookies a piece.
Students informed me today that this had been the BEST day ever of school, hahaha! But hey, I’ll take it, I mean, edible STEM, what is better than that?!
The printable is available in my Freebie Library, simply sign up and the password will be sent to your inbox.
I hope you enjoy this free resource, and I would love to hear how you use it in your classroom.
If you have any trouble signing up for access to the library, drop me an email, I’m happy to help.
Enjoy!
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