Moon Phases
Description: Why does the moon change shape throughout the month? By modeling a moon rotating around yourself as Earth, students learn moon phases in a kinesthetic fashion that for many will finally make sense.
Materials:
· Each student will need 8 styrofoam balls
· 8 pencils
· A lamp with shade removed to represent the sun
Procedure:
1. Put the ball and pencil together.
2. Darken the room – the darker, the better.
3. With your face towards the lamp, students will hold the balls slightly above their heads so that they have to look up a little to see them.
4. Turn slightly to the left. Observe.
5. Repeat step 4 six more times.
Observed: You will need to write down what you have observed here while recreating the different moon phases.