Moon Quest

A Lunar Journey!

Mr. Conant · Memorial Middle School · Beverly, MA

 

Standards

Discipline:

Science & Technology

Strand:

5 – 8 Inquiry

Unit:

Astronomy

Standard(s):

Earth And Space Science (pg. 97)

·        Describe lunar and solar eclipses, the observed moon phases and tides.  Relate them to the relative positions of the earth, moon, and sun.

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Goals

  • To reinforce the concept of the moon phases as a relationship between the relative positions of the moon, Earth and the sun.

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Objectives

  • To reinforce the concept of the moon phases as a relationship between the relative positions of the moon, Earth and the sun students will explore five Web sites and answer guided questions.
  • Students will demonstrate their understanding of the moon phases as a relationship between the relative positions of the moon, Earth and the sun when completing phases of the moon diagram or an essay.

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Essential Question(s)

  • What causes the phases of the moon?

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Materials

  • LCD Projector
  • Moon Quest: WebQuest
  • WebQuest Worksheet
  • Computer Lab
  • Large Construction Paper For Phases Diagram
  • Graphic Organizer For Essay

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Activity Description

Day 1
  • The second half of the period should be designated to prepare the students to complete the WebQuest in the computer lab the following day.
  • Use the LCD projector guide students through each component of the WebQuest
    • When reading through the Introduction choose students to read the paragraphs
    • When reading the task, the teacher should read to assure that expectations are clear
      • Introduce the WebQuest portion
        • Inform students of the date in which the assignment is due
        • Also, students who have Microsoft Word at home can type their final copy by accessing the link
      • Introduce the Phases of the Moon project
        • Inform students when this portion of the assignment is due
        • Also, students should be reminded that the information needed to complete the project can be found on the Web sites that they will be exploring in part 1
      • When guiding students through the process they should be reminded that the answers to the questions are found in the Web Site listed before the set of questions begins.  When the next Web site is listed a new set of questions begin
    • Evaluation
      • When introducing the evaluation to the students read through the rubric with students
      • Explain to students clearly what it takes to get a 4.  Reading through the requirements to earn a 2 or a 1 are not necessary.  Students should strive for a 3 or a 4.

Day 2

  • When entering the classroom students will be given a Moon Quest worksheet and their computer lab assignments. 
  • Students may need to be reminded on how to access the WebQuest when getting to the computer lab
  • Before exiting the classroom for the computer lab remind students to bring a writing utensil and their worksheet
  • When entering the computer lab students will complete the WebQuest independently

Day 3

  • In great detail discuss the two projects
    • Review the components of both the diagram and essay
    • Discuss the rubric with students

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Evaluation

The following rubric will be used to assess the two components of this WebQuest.  The first component, the WebQuest Worksheet will be collected and weighted as a quiz grade.  The second component, a project demonstrating the phases of the moon will be weighted as a test grade.
 
  4 3 2 1

Worksheet

Moon Quest: A Lunar WebQuest Worksheet

 Your WebQuest worksheet is:
  • Exceptionally Neat / Typed
  • In complete sentences, restating the question in the answer
  • Grammatically correct

Your worksheet is all of the above and your answers are 90-100%  correct and your Online quiz is included and is printed in the correct format.

 Your WebQuest worksheet is:
  • Moderately Neat / Typed
  • In complete sentences, but does not restate the question in the answer
  • Grammatically correct

Your worksheet is all of the above and your answers are 80-90%  correct and your Online quiz is included and is printed in the correct format.

 Your WebQuest worksheet is:
  • Fairly Neat / Typed
  • Not entirely in complete sentences
  • Not Grammatically correct

Your worksheet is all of the above and your answers are 70-80%  correct and your Online quiz is included.

Your WebQuest worksheet is:
  • Not Neat / Typed
  • Not in complete sentences
  • Not Grammatically Correct

Your worksheet is all of the above and your answers are less than 70%  correct.  Your Online quiz may not be included and is not printed in the correct format.
Project

Phases of the Moon Poster

 Your poster contains:
  • Illustrations of the 8 moon phases
  • The correct direction of the moon's orbit
  • Illustrations of the earth & sun
  • The time period between each phase

Your poster exhibits EXCEPTIONAL craftsmanship.

 Your poster contains:
  • Illustrations of the 8 moon phases
  • The correct direction of the moon's orbit
  • Illustrations of the earth & sun
  • The time period between each phase

Your poster exhibits a GOOD design.

 		 Your poster is missing one of the following:
  • Illustrations of the 8 moon phases
  • The correct direction of the moon's orbit
  • Illustrations of the earth & sun
  • The time period between each phase

Your poster is FAIR in design.

 Your poster is missing more than 1 of the following:
  • Illustrations of the 8 moon phases
  • The correct direction of the moon's orbit
  • Illustrations of the earth & sun
  • The time period between each phase

Your poster is POOR in design.

Phases of the Moon Essay

 Your 5 paragraph essay contains:
  • An opening Paragraph explaining the cause of the phases of the moon
    • Also should include a thesis statement
  • The second paragraph should discuss the new moon as well as the waxing phases of the moon
  • The third paragraph should discuss the the full moon and the waning phases of the moon
  • Paragraph four should explain the process of the transformation which includes the time period between each phase
  • Paragraph five should be  a summary of the entire essay

Your essay is EXCEPTIONALLY well written with appropriate grammar and spelling.

 Your 5 paragraph essay contains:
  • An opening Paragraph explaining the cause of the phases of the moon
    • Also should include a thesis statement
  • The second paragraph should discuss the new moon as well as the waxing phases of the moon
  • The third paragraph should discuss the the full moon and the waning phases of the moon
  • Paragraph four should explain the process of the transformation which includes the time period between each phase
  • Paragraph five should be  a summary of the entire essay

Your essay is  well written with minimal grammar and spelling errors.

 Your essay is missing 1 of the following:
  • An opening Paragraph explaining the cause of the phases of the moon
    • Also should include a thesis statement
  • The second paragraph should discuss the new moon as well as the waxing phases of the moon
  • The third paragraph should discuss the the full moon and the waning phases of the moon
  • Paragraph four should explain the process of the transformation which includes the time period between each phase
  • Paragraph five should be  a summary of the entire essay

Your essay is FAIRLY well written but contains many grammatical and spelling errors.

 Your essay is missing more than 1 of the following:
  • An opening Paragraph explaining the cause of the phases of the moon
    • Also should include a thesis statement
  • The second paragraph should discuss the new moon as well as the waxing phases of the moon
  • The third paragraph should discuss the the full moon and the waning phases of the moon
  • Paragraph four should explain the process of the transformation which includes the time period between each phase
  • Paragraph five should be  a summary of the entire essay

Your essay is poorly written with significant grammar and spelling errors.

 

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© 2005 T. Conant