Instructional Problem:

The instruction problem addressed is student misconceptions about the moon, and misunderstanding of the phases of the moon within the sequence of the lunar cycle.

Learner Characteristics:

Grade: Third Grade 
Age Range: 7 – 8 years
Learner Skills: Visualizing, Ordering, and Predicting
Prior Knowledge: Students have knowledge of the: (1) Position of the moon in relation to the Earth and the Sun; (2) words rotation and revolution. 

Subject Content and Task Components:

Student will learn the words waxing and waning.

Student will understand the role of the sun on the lunar cycle.

Student will observe phases of the moon.

Student will review phases and cycle.

Student will label phases of the moon within a lunar cycle

Instructional Objectives

Given pictures of the phases of the moon the student will: (1) Identify the name and label each of the phases of the moon; (2) Place the phases in their appropriate position on the lunar cycle.

Sequencing Content

Student will watch 5-minute video clip from Newton’s Apple over Phases of the moon.
Student will discuss/ sketch various types of moons that they have observed in their lifetime/
Student will observe lunar phase simulator to identify the phase of their previous sketch and its position within the lunar cycle.
 Student will participate (whole class) in SMART Exchange Activity: Moon Phases to review phases of the moon and the lunar cycle or QUIA interactive games.
 Student will identify and match phase of the moon Student will place moon phase in the correct order within the lunar cycle.
 Student will individually create a flipbook of the phases.

Instructional Strategies

Review/Check for prior knowledge
Observe
Link new information to prior knowledge
Large group instruction
Simulations
Technology Tools
Use of graphic organizer
Re-teach

Instructional Message and Delivery:

The message will be delivered using a variety of visual aides, multimedia and interactive activities to engage the learner such as: 

Elementary CORE Academy Handbook: Moon Flipbook
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/downloadFile.cgi?file=10988-2-14754-flip_book.pdf&filename=flip_book.pdf

Quia Java Games: Moon Matching
http://www.quia.com/mc/431146.html

Quia Ordered List: Put Moon Phases
http://www.quia.com/rd/11412.html
Lunar Phase Simulator: Flash
http://astro.unl.edu/naap/lps/animations/lps,swf

SMART Exchange: Moon Phases Collection
http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html?m=01&q=Phases+of+the+Moon

Newton’s Apple Video: Phases of the moon
http://www.newtonsapple.tv/video.php?id=1671

Evaluation Instruments

Learners will participate in whole class simulated assessment using interactive technologies.

Learner will individually create a flipbook modeling the phases of the moon and lunar cycle.

Resources

Document Camera
Data Projector
Smart Board
Computer
Internet Access
Scissors
Stapler

Ongoing Processes

Planning
Revising
Evaluation
Management