Lunar Mission PowerQuest

Phases of the MoonNCSCOS Objective 3.04 & 3.05

Grade 3

By:Sandy Church & Linda Lerch

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Lunar Essential Question

Did you know that the moon is the brightest object in the sky except for the sun? 

If you look at the sky every night for a month, you will notice that the moon's shape is constantly changing. 

How does the moon's shape change? 

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Lunar Introduction

Visit the Enchanted Learning Website ( Zoom Astronomy) and read about the moon.

Look at and learn about the different phases of the moon.

View images of phases of the moon as seen from space.

On your lunar mission to find out why the moon’s shape is constantly changing you will:

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Lunar Task

Student will learn how the moon changes shape each night.

Students will understand how the phases of the moon affect our lives.

Through real world experiences, students will observe the moon each night and record their observations.

Through the use of the Internet, students will explore and document the changes in the phases of the moon each night.

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Lunar Process

You have completed basic training and are now ready to begin your Lunar Mission.

Each mission contains activities that will help you travel through your journey.

The following pages contain the missions which you must complete before receiving your Lunar Certification.

Be sure to read each page carefully and use all links provided in order to receive all instructions.

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INTRO

Lunar Observation Guide

Worksheet for Monthly Observation: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/moon/moon_worksheet/moon_worksheet.html

Click on the above link and maximize the new screen. When the page opens, use the arrows to scroll to the correct

month. Click on the “Print Calendar” icon to print the worksheet you

will need for this activity. You will need to go outside each night for the entire month to

see what the moon looks like. Draw a picture of each night’s observations in the provided

circles.

Note From Mission Control: This lunar observation will begin your astronomical training. Your lunar mission will not begin until you have completed one month of observations.

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Lunar Mission #1In this mission you will click on the link below. Study the diagram that appears and read all of the information about each moon phase.

After reading the information, click on the rocket below to print out a worksheet. Correctly label each phase of the moon.

Phases of the Moon

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Lunar Mission #2

Phases of the Moon

Click on the moon to observe all the phases of the moon in a 29 ½ day cycle.

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Lunar Mission #3Since the moon shines by reflecting sunlight, what it looks like to us depends on the angle at which the Sun's light is hitting the moon. For example, if sunlight is coming from the right, the right half of the moon's globe will be bright and the left will be dark.

Note From Mission Control: Notice the sun is shining from the bottom of the page.

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Lunar Mission #4

Click on the moon below to test your lunar observation skills. Follow the online instructions. You must complete all 3 levels to continue your journey.

Note From Mission Control: If ActiveX pop-up blocker appears….click on the yellow bar at the top of the page to allow it to run.

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Lunar Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on their web search skills, visual observations, correct use of technology equipment, and following both written and oral directions.

Grading Scale:A = 12 points

B = 9-11 points C = 6-8 points D = 4-5 points E = 0-3 points Rubric

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LunarEvaluation Rubric

Beginning

1

Developing

2

Accomplished

3

Exemplary

4

Score

Objective 1

Mission #1 – Read, printout worksheet and label

Did not read, print, or complete worksheet

Partially read, printed out worksheet, and correctly labeled 50% of the worksheet.

Read, printed out worksheet, and correctly labeled 75% of the worksheet.

Read, printed out worksheet, and correctly labeled 100% of the worksheet.

Objective 2

Mission #2

Observation of realistic moon phases

Did not click on graphic to observe moon phases

Did not click on graphic but made verbal observations of the moon in its current phase

Clicked on graphic and made verbal observations of the moon phases

Clicked on graphic and made verbal as well as written observations of the moon phases

Objective 3

Mission #4

Followed sequencing of moon phases

Did not follow online instructions and did not complete any levels

Clicked on link and followed all online instructions and successfully completed one level.

Clicked on link and followed all online instructions and successfully completed two levels.

Clicked on link and followed all online instructions and successfully completed all three levels.

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Lunar Conclusion

Throughout this mission, you studied and observed the phases of the moon. You now know why the moon seems to change shape in the night sky.

By working through this PowerQuest, you learned how to: click on links to connect to web pages search for information on the WWW read and label diagrams correctly follow written and oral instructions

Congratulations! You have now completed this Lunar Mission!

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Lunar Resources

Worksheet for Monthly Observation: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/moon/moon_worksheet/moon_worksheet.html

Virtual Reality Moon Phases Pictures:

http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/vphase.html Visualize the phases of the moon depending on its location in relationship

to the earth and the sun http://www.ioncmaste.ca/homepage/resources/web_resources/CSA_Astro9/files/multimedia/unit3/phases_moon/phases_moon.swf

Information on “The Moon” http://www.solarviews.com/eng/moon.htm Video of the Moon Phases http://www.solarviews.com/cap/moon/vmoon2.htm Enchanted Learning site—Kid friendly site with lots of info; students will

need to click onto the “Phases of the Moon” section but can look at whole site as well

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/ http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/nasa/video-player/video-player.html?playerId=15500

41754&titleId=1573646994

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Lunar Teacher

This WebQuest, or PowerQuest, has been designed for use with the North Carolina third grade curriculum. This PowerQuest gives the students the opportunity to explore the universe without leaving the classroom. Please feel free to use this PowerQuest with your students as they study the phases of the moon.

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Fair Use Policy

This multimedia presentation has been prepared under the Fair Use Exemption of the

US Copyright Law and is restricted from further use without expressed written permission from

the authors.

schurch@caa.k12.nc.us

lalerch@iss.k12.nc.us

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Lunar CreditsOur wonderful moon!

Sandy Church

Curriculum Coach

Baton Elementary School

Granite Falls, North Carolina

Linda Lerch

Computer/Technology Teacher

Mt. Mourne Elementary School

Mooresville, North Carolina