Marmara Elt Resources

Moon Phase Lesson Plan for Elementary-Age Students
Understanding the phases of the moon can be a tricky concept for a child in elementary school. There are many different aspects of the phases of the moon that children should learn. A moon phase lesson plan should be educational, yet fun so the students can better understand the lesson they are taught. Some concepts of teaching about the moon phases will be reviewed here.

First, you should help the children understand moon phase activity (the cycle of the moon), which is divided into 4 parts:
new moon (where you see no moon at all), first quarter (only half of the moon can be seen), third quarter (only half of the moon can be seen), and full moon (the entire moon can be seen).

Your moon phase lesson plan should explain the difference in these moon phases. Use pictures and diagrams or software that illustrate what these moon phases look like.
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Melting Ice

Objectives: Students will observe the melting of ice and understand the basic physical changes that occur. They will gain knowledge of how different substances change the rate of melting.

Materials: bag of ice; coarse, rock, or table salt; commercial melting compound (such as Prestone Driveway Heat); pie tins; timers for each group

Procedure:

1. Discuss with the class the properties of water and ice, the definition of melting and melting point. A simple introduction to the states of matter would also provide a good background and starting point for this lesson.
2. Brainstorm with your class and write down on the board ideas and concepts concerning the physical change that occurs during melting. Ascertain the knowledge level of the class.
3. Ask some questions during the brainstorming session:
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Tips on Lesson Planning for the New Teacher (By Sonya Wilson)
Depending on the school you work for, you may be required to turn in lesson plans weekly or biweekly. Some schools may require a scope and sequence that covers the majority of the year. However you are required to turn in lesson plans, make sure that you have clear objectives, goals, and a way of evaluating the students and assessment.

For me, the difference between objectives and goals was a little confusing. Think of it like a road map. An objective is your final destination and the goal is how you are going to get there. For example, in my English classroom my objective for a lesson may be for students to be able to write a report on Maya Angelou and my goal would be for the students to research the poet and memorize one of her poems. Objectives are general and goals are specific.
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Lesson Plan-The Eye of the Hurricane (grade level 3-5)
Overview:
This lesson introduces students to the structure of a hurricane, particularly the eye. You might want to use it as an introduction to a unit on hurricanes or weather phenomena. Students will view a video about hurricanes, do a simple hurricane simulation, take a tour into the eye of a hurricane, and write reports about their tour.
Connections to the Curriculum:
Geography, earth science
Connections to the National Geography Standards:
Standard 7: “The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth’s surface”
Time:
One to two hours

Materials Required:

* Computer with Internet access
* Large round bowl or tub of water (one for each pair of students)
* Spoon (one for each pair of students)
* Food coloring with a dropper top
* Writing materials

Objectives:
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