Grade Levels: K-3

These classroom activities are designed to complement the Moon topic on BrainPOP Jr.

Moon Model

Remind your students that the Earth spins on its axis, and the Moon orbits the Earth. Together they both orbit the Sun. Have small groups model the Moon, Earth, and Sun. The “Earth” can spin around while the “Moon” orbits. You can give the student who models the Sun a flashlight to shine on both the Moon and Earth. Point out to students that the Sun only shines on part of the Moon and that is why we see different parts of the Moon from Earth. You can also do the same activity using rubber of Styrofoam balls to model the Moon, Earth, and Sun.

Moon Tales

As a reading and social studies connection, have your students collect and read different folktales, stories, or books about the Moon. What cultures have stories about a rabbit in the Moon? What stories do different communities tell about how the Moon came to be? Compare and contrast the stories. Then have students write and illustrate their own stories and tales about the Moon. Have students share their work with the class.

 

Filed as:  K-3, Moon, Science, Space