• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • TikTok

teach mama logo

teach mama

helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

learning about the moon: phases, facts, flipbook, cookies

home / outdoor learning / learning about the moon: phases, facts, flipbook, cookies
643 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

We celebrated the moon today, in little ways that kept Maddy, Owen, and Cora interested after lunch and before the rest of our day.

Thanks to some really incredible websites, this Reading Specialist-mama learned about the moon right alongside of her kiddos. We demonstrated the phases by using cookies, we watched some really awesome moon-happy videos, and played with a 3D moon online.ย  We even made a super-awesome, mini-phases of the moon flipbook.

It was our little way of rockin’ out Out of this World week, and I’m so glad we made this stop.

Here’s the skinny:

  • Learning about the Moon–Phases, Facts, Flipbooks, Cookies: Like many children, my kids have always been interested in the moon.

We have a perpetual Moon-Hunt wherever we go and wherever we are–it’s always a contest who can spot the moon first, whether we’re walking to the pool, driving to the grocery store, or hanging at the park.ย  So learning a little about the moon was something my kids were totally interested in.

Our moon-happy materials were ready!

ย 

While Maddy, Owen, and Cora ran to the bank with their dad this morning, I did a little quick moon-information hunting.ย  And what I found were some really incredible resources and tons of materials right at my fingertips.

I printed out the Phases of the Moon Flipbook (station 7), and I cut it out and stapled it so it would be ready when they returned. I also bookmarked some sites with quick videos that I thought would be more engaging than any mini-lecture I could ever give them.

And during lunch, I gave them some hints about what we’d do after we were finished. I asked,

  • What do you know about the moon for sure?
  • What do you think might be true about the moon?
  • How far is the moon from the earth?
  • Do you know why the moon changes shape?

We chatted a bit about these topics, and after lunch I asked everyone to head to the dining room table.

Cora flips through our brand-spankin’ new Phases of the Moon Flipbook.

I said, Okay, today we’re going to spend a little bit of time talking about the moon–we see the moon every day, we love the moon, and we all could stand to learn a little bit about how the moon changes its shape.ย  And I know a really cool way to help us learn about the different phases–or changing shapes of the moon–by using cookies. How awesome is that??

First, I showed them some sites that I found, and they each played a bit on them.ย  We used:

  • NASA — What’s up for July? Moon Phases: This is a 2 min video that gives kids everything they need about the moon in a totally easy-to-understand way.
  • My Moon: 3D interactive moon. SO awesome, it’s nuts.
  • NASA — Interactive Features, Moon

The following sites are also pretty awesome for building background information:

  • NASA: Why the Moon?
  • Lunar and Planetary Institute — Exploring the Moon
  • LPI: Sky Tellers, Moon Phases
  • LPI: Family Space Days
  • Moon Phases
  • tpt: Newton’s Apple: Phases of the Moon

After we activated a little schema and got some brains moving in the moon-motion, I showed Maddy, Owen, and Cora the Oreo Moon Phases from the LPI Family Space Days site (see station 8 on the sheet).

I said, Here’s another look at the phases of the moon–but with cookies.ย  I read the first paragraph about what phases were (stages).ย  And then I said, Let’s make sure we have all of the supplies we’ll need.

Maddy and Owen read the supplies, and we made sure that 4 Oreo cookies, a paper towel, a popsicle stick, and phases worksheet was in front of each person.ย  I also gave each kiddo a piece of white legal paper as a place where they could place each phases.

Then we read ‘What to Do’.ย  Maddy said, First we have to twist off the tops of the cookies!

So they did. . . very carefully.

Then I said, Okay, we’ve got to put the cookies in order from New Moon to Waning Crescent. So let’s do the easy ones first. Notice that the icing is the part of the moon that we see, and the cookie is what we don’t see. So can you find a cookie with no icing–one that looks like the New Moon? Good. Now find a spot for that New Moon cookie at the very edge of your paper.

They did. . . very happily.

Super. Now find a Full Moon cookie–one that has all the icing on it just like a Full Moon. They placed that cookie in the middle of their papers.

 

Cora works on her phases.

 

Now you get to be artists and use the popsicle sticks to move the icing around to make the other phases of the moon.ย  Like if you can find a cookie with just a teeny bit of icing on it and move it to one side, that can be your Waxing Crescent Moon. Make sense?

They had already started and were working so hard, it was a riot.

Owen asked me about a million times if they could eat all of the cookies when they were finished, and I told him that they could eat two cookies, or four pieces. That was more motivation for them to finish their phases, I’m sure.

When they were finished, we admired their hard work, and then we ate their moon cookies, just about as quickly as they made them.

But as they were eating cookies, Maddy said, Mom, this was awesome.

I’m not sure if she meant learning about the moon’s phases or eating the cookies, but I’m hoping a little bit of both.

 

Three cheers for Out of this World week and the Smart Summer Challenge!

You can still link up your Week 5 Smart Summer Challenge ideas. You have ALL weekโ€“until late Thursday, August 4, 2011, to link up your ideas to win last weekโ€™s prize. SO worth itโ€“so take a second and share your ideas for a chance to win $200 from Guidecraft!

Weโ€™re now only a few days away from our HUGE giveaways which I cannot wait to share.ย  We’re coming down to the wire with our Smart Summer Challenge, the 6-week fun summer learning campaign Iโ€™m running with Candace and MaryLea, where weโ€™re challenging all parents to do what they can to throw in a little bit of fun learning every day (or as often as they can!). And seriouslyโ€“summer reading counts!! So link up your ideas through the whole week and win prizes.ย  Thatโ€™s how much we love our readers and value summertime learning!

You May Also Like...

  • Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
    Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
  • Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
    Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
  • 5 ways parents can show thanks for teachers and schools
    5 ways parents can show thanks for teachers and schools

About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post:busch gardens with kids and yankee candle candle-making
Next Post:playing with pixie–poem-writing, picture-creating

Sidebar

amy mascott profile blog

join the coolest club around:

View
Open
Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
View
Open
Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
View
Open
Oh HEEEEEYYY, @luvvie โ€” did you see that @littletroublemaker made our hallway bulletin board? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ™ฅ๏ธ

(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

#readingteacher #raiseareader #kidlit #bestbooks #linkinbio
View
Open
How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
Open
Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

our books

setting the stage for rock-star readers
raise a reader

Find Us On Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Amazon

Helpful Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us On Instagram

View
Open
Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
View
Open
Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
View
Open
Oh HEEEEEYYY, @luvvie โ€” did you see that @littletroublemaker made our hallway bulletin board? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ™ฅ๏ธ

(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

#readingteacher #raiseareader #kidlit #bestbooks #linkinbio
View
Open
How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
Open
Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

Copyright © 2023 · teach mama media, llc · All Rights Reserved

  • 3
643 shares