Back to Artemis II – Unit 1: Understanding the Mission and the Moon
Artemis ROADS II – Unit 1 Lesson 3: Looking at The Moon
In this lesson: First, students will share their prior knowledge of the Moon phases in their everyday experiences at home or school. Then, they will make direct and/ or indirect observations of the Moon phases and connect the Moon phases to the Sun/ Earth/ Moon relative positions using an orbit simulator, compare/contrast science and cultural explanations, create a group calendar, and predict the Moon phase on their next birthday. Finally, students will document their findings from this lesson.
Lesson Level Question: How do observations of the Moon contribute to explanations in both science and culture?
Engage
Students will share their prior knowledge of the Moon phases in their everyday experiences at home or school.
Explore
Students will make direct and/ or indirect observations of the Moon to track the Moon phases and make predictions.
Explain
Students will use a Sun/Earth/Moon orbit simulation and/or model to explain the Moon phases and its orbit in a calendar month/year.
Elaborate
Students will use math to predict their next birthday Moon phase and investigate how cultures have different types of calendars based on the Moon phases.
Evaluate
Students will compare and contrast science and culture explanations that both contribute to the observations of the Moon.
Evaluate (optional)
Students will create their own place-based or culturally-relevant lunar calendar.
Standards Alignment
Each lesson includes standards alignment information for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Many lessons also include information on alignment opportunities for: CCSS Mathematics, CCSS English, WA State Learning Standards in Computer Science, WA State Standards in Social Emotional Learning.
In these documents, you will find an alignment summary, followed by details for each lesson: