Infusion of Literacy into the Science Curriculum

Book Information

Title / The Moon Book
Author / Gibbons, Gail
Publisher / Holiday House
Copyright Year / 1997
IBN# / 823412970
Summary / Identifies the moon as our only natural satellite, describes its movement and phases, and discusses how we have observed and explored it over the years.
Availability / Arlington Central Library; APS Library system (Abingdon, Science Focus, ATS, Ashlawn, Barcroft, Barrett, Campbell, Claremont, Drew, Jamestown, Key, McKinley, Nottingham, Oakridge, Patrick Henry, Randolph, Taylor, Tuckahoe); 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
Grade 1 / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
1.1-  Classifying, measuring, predicting
Grade 2 / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
2.1- Measurement, classification, graphs, unexpected data
Grade 3 / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
3.1- Making predications and observations, data charted, drawing conclusion
Earth Patterns, Cycle and Change
3.8 Phases of the moon
Grade 4 / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
4.1- Hypotheses, predictions, measurement
Earth Patterns, Cycle and Change
4.8 Relationships among Earth, sun and moon
Grade 5 / Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic
5.1- Classification key, measurement, graphing data, variables

Sample Activities

Grade 3 / After reading the book to the class, students will make a Phases of the Moon book. The book is made with 1 piece of construction paper as the cover and 4 pieces of white copy paper. Fold in half and staple. Write “Phases of the Moon” on the cover. The inside pages will be: new moon, crescent moon, first-quarter moon (aka: half moon), gibbous moon, full moon, gibbous moon, half moon, crescent moon, and new moon. You can choose to stop at full moon and explain that it will go back through the phases to complete the cycle. The Moon pieces are made from the circle die cut. Since one of the objectives is for students to realize the Moon itself does not change its shape, students will always place a manila circle on the page. Then they will place the shadow (made from black construction paper) on top of the manila circle.
new moon – manila circle, black circle on top
crescent moon – manila circle, black gibbous shadow on top first-quarter (half) moon – manila circle, black half circle on top gibbous moon – manila circle, black crescent shadow on top
(WAXING) full moon – manila circle gibbous moon – manila circle, black crescent shadow on top
(WANING) first-quarter (half) moon – manila
circle, black half circle on top crescent moon – manila circle, black gibbous shadow on top new moon – manila circle, black circle on top
Students should write the name of each phase on each page.
Students will take the book home to observe the moon along with an explanation letter to parents. The teacher asks the students each morning what phase the moon was in the previous night. This information can be charted or graphed.
Grade 4 / After reading the book to the class, students students will use the attached moon observation chart to observe the phases of the moon. They will also be responsible for taking several digital pictures of the moon in its different phases. The students will then bring the pictures to school, along with the information recorded on their moon observation charts and will create podcasts to share with the class.
Moon observation chart: www.abcteach.com/free/c/chart_moon.pdf

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