I would use the ESERO ‘What does the Moon Look like?’ activity set with my first and second class group. This activity would be conducted over a period of 4 weeks. Initially, I would ask the class to bring in objects/pictures/books related to the moon and these items will all be collated on the ‘Moon Table’.
I will then draw a Moon on an A3 piece of white paper and discuss what they associate with the word ‘Moon’ – including the items on the Moon Table. These will be recorded on the sheet of paper using drawings and an appropriate word underneath. This word bank will be displayed in the classroom – and as new concepts are mentioned they will be added to it.
On an Autumn evening with a full moon, my scientists will be given a worksheet to take home. Their task will be to draw the part of the moon they can see and describe it. They will repeat this task exactly one, two and three weeks later and record their findings.
After the fourth recording we will look at and discuss what the children have drawn for each phase and draw these four phases on the board. I give the class some information about our view of the moon and explain the impact of the suns light and position on it.
The conclusion will involve the children engaging in a photograph activity (Four phases of the moon) – starting with the full moon and asking the children which photo comes next and ideally if they can justify their hypothesis.