On the Moon | Learning Activity
Article
Update : January 6, 2026
The moon’s phases can seem mysterious and spark all sorts of preconceptions.
The On the Moon activity introduces the moon’s phases to students in Cycle 2 of elementary school. Students will identify their knowledge and potential misconceptions, then observe the moon and draw conclusions based on their observations.
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Table of contents
Activity Details
Subject: Science and Technology
Grade level(s): Grades 3 and 4
Duration:
| Week 1 | Introduction | 10 min |
| Part 1: Before Observing the Moon | 15 min | |
| Part 2: Weekly In-Class Group Observation | 20 min | |
| Week 2 | Part 2: Weekly In-Class Group Observation | 20 min |
| Week 3 | Part 2: Weekly In-Class Group Observation | 20 min |
| Week 4 | Part 2: Weekly In-Class Group Observation | 20 min |
| Week 5 | Part 2: Weekly In-Class Group Observation | 20 min |
| Week 6 | Part 2: Weekly In-Class Group Observation | 20 min |
| Partie 3. Conclusion | 30 min |
Objectives :
- Challenge preconceptions about the moon and its phases.
- Draw each phase of the lunar cycle (full moon, new moon, first quarter, last quarter, waxing gibbous, waning gibbous).
Additional Resources
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