Intern Name: Abbey Faro

Lesson Title (Subject/Topic): Phases of the Moon

Grade: 4
Length of Lesson: 30 minutes
Date Taught: 3/8/19

LESSON PLAN TEMPLATE

Overview
In this lesson… students will review the phases of the moon and then model them using Oreo cookies.

Standards of Learning
The student will investigate and understand the relationships among Earth, the moon, and the sun. Key concepts
include a) the motions of Earth, the moon, and the sun; b) the causes for Earth’s seasons; c) the causes for the
phases of the moon; d) the relative size, position, age, and makeup of Earth, the moon, and the sun; and e)
historical contributions in understanding the Earth-moon-sun system.

Essential Questions
- What is the difference between the waxing and waning phases of the moon?
- Where are the sun and earth in relation to the moon?
-What is the difference between rotating and revolving?

Objectives
Students will be able to…
-Identify 8 different phases/positions of the moon
- Identify the difference between a waxing and waning moon
- Model the phases of the moon
- Look at a picture of a moon phase and identify which phase it is

Learning Target
I can identify and model 8 different phases/positions of the moon.
Necessary Prior Knowledge
- Students must know that the moon goes through different phases where the amount that is lit is different
- Students must know the difference between the waning and waxing phases

Materials
- Phases of the moon worksheet handout
-Oreo Cookies (2 packs)
-Napkins and Spoons

Introduction/Hook
I say “Waterfall waterfall” and the students say “shhhhh”

Instructional Activities & Strategies

1. Pass out the worksheet where the students have to shade in the different phases of the moon
2. Present the powerpoint in an interactive way, asking students if they can identify which phase of the moon
appears on the screen
3. Explain that they will be modeling the phases of the moon that they just shaded in on their paper with Oreo
cookies, and demonstrate what they will need to do
4. Tell everyone to pick a partner and give every pair 4 Oreos
5. Walk around and make sure everyone understands what to do
6. Provide extra Oreos to those students who have a cookie that breaks and is no longer usable
7. Do 4 extension questions at the end to make sure the students understood the main point of the lesson
8. Tell the students they can eat the cookies!

Key Vocabulary or Concepts

-Waxing
-Waning
-Phases of the Moon
-Rotate
-Revolve

Assessments
I verbally questioned the students at the end, and made them answer 4 extension questions that would show
their knowledge.

Closure Activity
The closure activity was the questions. I also had 2 students demonstrate the difference between rotating and
revolving.

Accommodations
N/A

Resources
Ms. Rhea gave me the idea and worksheets I needed for this lesson!

Reflection on a Lesson Plan Taught

Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow

Intern Name: Abbey Faro

Lesson Title (Subecjt/Topc): Phases of the Moon
Date of Lesson Taught: 3/8/19
Cooperating Teacher & School Rhea- Linkhorn
Grade: 4
Time of Day: 11:05

• What steps did you go through to create this lesson? With whom did you talk, discuss, or
edit your lesson?
I talked with Ms. Rhea and her mom Mrs. Rhea to get the ideas for this lesson. Mrs. Rhea, being an ex earth
science teacher, also gave me some helpful tips for how to explain the phases of the moon.

• How did the SOLs and Objectives help focus your instruction?
I knew what the students needed to walk away with, and I was able to tailor my lesson towards these objectives.

• What parts of the instructional plan worked as you anticipated?

All of my plans worked perfectly!

• What, if any, adjustments needed to be made once you began?

I would not change my lesson plan.

• How well did you anticipate the materials needed?

Well, there were enough cookies for everyone with extras left over.

• How effective was the assessment you chose to use? (If no assessment was used, what
will the future assessment be and how will you gauge its effectiveness?)
While I did not do a formal assessment, I think that the extension questions at the end of my lesson allowed me
to gauge who understood the phases of the moon and who didn’t. I also asked them outlaid which gave students
a chance to raise their hand and answer if they knew the answer.

• To what degree do you feel that this lesson was a success? What evidence do you have
for the success of the lesson? (Hint: Student learning is the key to a lesson’s success!)

I feel that this lesson was very successful! My evidence is the smiles on all of the students’ faces and seeing
their final product of the moon phases made out of cookies.

• How did the time spent preparing for your lesson contribute to it’s success?
It helped me be successful because I was very prepared and knew exactly what I was going to say. This allowed
my lesson to run smoothly.
 • If you could do this lesson again with the same students, would you do anything
differently? If so, what?

I would not change anything!

• Any last comments/reflections about your lesson?

I loved this lesson and hoped the students loved it just as much!

Lesson Plan Assignment: Grade Sheet

Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow I

Intern Name: ______________________________

Refer to the comments written on your lesson plan for detailed feedback.

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Needs a few additions or tweaks
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Score
Overview, SOLs, essential questions, objectives (10)

Introduction/hook & closure (10)

Instructional activities (20)

Accommodations (10)

Assessment (5)

Vocab, materials, resources (5)

Supplemental materials, if applicable (5)

Total (65)
Taught Lesson Plan Grade Sheet
Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow II

Intern Name: ______________________________Lesson #________

• Written (typed) Lesson Plan: _____/50

[See comments on LP]

• Supplemental materials: _____/10

Comments:

• Self-Evaluation: _____/15
Comments:

Total: _____/75