Infusion of Literacy into the Science Curriculum

Book Information

Title / Hide and Seek Moon
Author / Robin Michael Koontz
Publisher / Mankato, Minn.: Capstone Press
Copyright Year / 2011
IBN# / 1429653655
Summary / In graphic novel format, text and illustrations describe the eight phases of the moon.
Availability / Arlington Central Library; APS Library system Ashlawn, Barret, Drew; Amazon (for purchase).

How can the book content be infused into the science curriculum?

Grade Level / K-5
Strands / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic; Earth Patterns, Cycle, and Change
Kindergarten / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
K.1; K.2- Five senses, descriptions and sequencing
Earth Patterns, Cycle, and Change
K.9 & K.10 Patterns; weather, animal/plant growth, routines, change
Grade 1 / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
1.1-  Classifying, measuring, predicting
Interrelationships in Earth/Space Systems
1.6 Night and Day, effect of sun
Grade 2 / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
2.1- Measurement, classification, graphs, unexpected data
Earth Patterns, Cycle, and Change
2.7 Effect of weather and seasonal changes on growth and behavior
Grade 3 / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
3.1- Making predications and observations, data charted, drawing conclusion
Earth Patterns, Cycle, and Change
3.8 & 3.9 Animal/plant life cycles, water cycle, phases of the moon
Grade 4 / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
4.1- Hypotheses, predictions, measurement
4.7 & 4.8 Planets and solar system; relationships among Earth, sun and moon
Grade 5 / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
5.1- Classification key, measurement, graphing data, variables

Sample Activities

Grade K-2 / 1. To help demonstrate how the moon shines, darken the room and point a flashlight onto a reflecting object like a bicycle reflector. The reflector glows only when the light on. Discuss how the moon does not give off its own light but simply reflects light from the sun.
2. Cover a Styrofoam ball with aluminum foil. Stick a pencil through the ball. Place a lightbulb on a stand that is higher than the children. Children hold the pencil still and rotate their bodies to observe the phases of the moon.
3. Students can make an edible model of the moon phases. Give each student 4 oreo cookies. Have them carefully separate the sides of the cookies. Students will nibble the cookies to make the 8 phases of the moon. They can then color and create a moon phases flip book and students will eat their edible model!
Grade 3-5 / Same activities as above.
4. Make a lunar calendar. Students will construct a lunar calendar for 1 lunar month. Start the calendar at the first sighting of the waxing crescent moon. Draw and record the shape of the moon on each night until the sighting of the next waxing moon.
5. Make moon craters. Fill a shallow dish with sand. Using a marble, drop the marble into the container from different heights listed on the chart from 3 in. 6 in. 9 in. and 12 in. heights. Carefully remove the marble, trying not to disturb the sand. Measure the diameter and depth of the crater that the marble created in the sand from each height. Record and compare the measurements on a chart.