Astronomy Lesson 23: The Moon

Reading:

Book of Astronomy & Space, pg. 24-25


    

Vocabulary:

Moon Phases
Moon

Videos:

All about the moon and its orbit:

Activity 1: How Does the Moon Get Light?

Technically the moon does not have its own light—it reflects the light from the sun. To demonstrate this, use a CD and a flashlight. Go to a dark area and shine the flashlight onto the CD. You should be able to see the light that reflects off the CD on your hands.

Activity 2: Oreo Cookie Moon Phases

 

Moon Phases Printable Worksheet- This printable shows where to put your Oreos to demonstrate the phases of the moon.

Activity 3: Observing the Moon

Beginning about 3 or 4 days after the New Moon, have your child go outside around sunset to draw the moon. Note exactly where it is in the sky, its shape (phase), and the horizon line (in relationship to trees, houses, etc.). The  next night, have them stand in the same spot at sunset and draw it again. Have them repeat this every evening until it is a full Moon. The next day, have your child start going out at sunrise in the same position. Have them draw the moon each morning until the next New Moon. This will give them a good idea of all the phases of the moon and the way the moon shifts positions in the sky each night.

Activity 4: Erupting Moon Rocks

Supplies:

- baking soda

- water

- black & silver glitter

- black liquid watercolor paint

- squeezy bottles

- vinegar

First, make a moon dough. Use roughly 2 cups of baking soda and mix with approx. ¼ cup of water. Measurements do not need to be exact—just add the water slowly and only use as much is needed to make the baking soda stick together. Add glitter and mix with your hands until it forms a mold-able dough that holds its shape.

Then, make a moon rock by forming a ball with the dough. Add water slowly until the entire ball is moist. Use a squeeze bottle to control the amount of water added. If you add too much water too fast, the moon dough will dissolve, but you also want to add enough to make it completely moist. Leave this out until it is completely dry—preferably overnight! Once dry, have fun crushing some of your rocks. Or, fill the squeeze bottle with vinegar to make them erupt.