The Importance Of Teaching Methods In Teaching The Moon

The moon is a very mystifying and enticing entity for children. It’s odd glow and ever changing shape are enough to intrigue anyone. This enticing character of the moon allows for a lot of great strategies when teaching about the moon. A good grade to introduce the moon would be first grade. First grade is delightfully energetic and enthusiastic and I believe I could make a very fun moon unit. A moon lesson would fit in great with the Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) 1-ESS1-1 (Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted). The moon is a great example of something in nature with observable patterns. Although the moon is a great teaching tool there are many difficulties that come with teaching a moon unit. First, the moon and its phases are something I really want the students to experience on their own. Unfortunately, it is very difficult for me to expect students or parents to be able to actively observe the moon. Another issue I foresee is the difficult vocabulary associated with …show more content…
First I would use a verbal probe when beginning the unit. I would have my first graders find knee buddies and share everything they know about the moon. I would watch and listen to hear what the students are thinking about the moon and its phases. I will use what I hear to help me develop activities and discussion questions. I think throughout the moon unit I could formatively assess student understanding using whiteboards and asking the students to draw a picture of the next phase after I show a short sequence of moon pictures. It will be obvious which students understand and which do not. My summative assessment would be a worksheet with two moon phases and then the last one missing. The students would draw in the correct sequential moon phase. A moon unit would be great for first graders to help them understand predictable patterns and would be a ton of