📖

Moon Phase Models

Moon Watching

Day 98of 180
Week 20of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand moon phase sequence

2

Create a model showing moon phases

3

Recognize God's design in moon's predictable changes

📖 Scripture Connection

Genesis 1:16

“God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars.”

— Genesis 1:16 (WEB)

God created the moon as a beautiful part of His amazing design

📦 Materials Needed

  • Oreo cookies or white paper circles
  • plastic knife or craft stick
  • black construction paper
  • white colored pencil or chalk
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and show pictures of moon phases. Ask what they remember about the moon from previous lessons.

💭 Review Question: What have we learned about the moon so far?
2Teaching (8 min)

Explain how the moon changes shape in a predictable pattern as it moves around Earth

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Moon doesn't actually change shape
  • We see different amounts of sunlight on the moon
  • Phases go from new moon to full moon in a cycle
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Can you describe what a full moon looks like?
  • Why do you think God made the moon change?
3Activity: Oreo Moon Phase Model (10 min)
hands-on

Students create moon phase model using Oreos or paper circles

📝 Instructions:
  1. Take a whole Oreo cookie
  2. Use plastic knife to scrape away cookie to show moon phases
  3. Start with full circle, then scrape less and less
  4. Arrange phases in order from new moon to full moon
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-cut paper circles instead of Oreos

Challenge: Add more detailed phase transitions

4Closing (2 min)

Review moon phase sequence and marvel at God's creative design

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did we learn about the moon today?
  • How does the moon change?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for creating the beautiful moon that shows Your amazing design.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn more about why the moon looks different each night!

💎 Memory Verse

Psalm 136:9

“The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever:”

— Psalm 136:9 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Sing verse while making moon phase model

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

First-grade students are learning basic astronomical concepts through hands-on modeling

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use visual aids
  • Encourage curiosity
  • Connect science to God's creation
🤔 Common Struggles:

Understanding abstract concept of moon phases

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to sequence moon phases and show interest in explanation

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Moon phase coloring worksheet
  • Nighttime moon observation with parents
  • Create moon phase flip book

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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