Middle School Science Lessons

Objectives: students will learn the phases of the moon and identify the phase for the day of their birthday

Lesson Materials:

• Birthday Moons – What did the moon look like on the day you were born? I made a Birthday Moon Phases worksheet (pdf) for my students to use based on the original lesson (as of 2018 – the original lesson is no longer posted on their website).
• The Sky Live (link) – Select the year and month to view the phases for the month/year you were born
• Birthday Moon Google Form Survey – link will ask you to make a copy to edit and collect your data
• Moon Phase Finder Template – glue onto a paper plate, cut out center
• Lowell Observatory Moon Clock (pdf) I love this simple clock to learn the phases of the moon and when to see them.
• Updated Handouts – the ones from the UEN website are no longer available
  • 29 moons flip book originally from UEN (pdf)
  • Lunar and Planetary Institution – real images of the moon (pdf)
• NASA Moon Phases – current phase and additional information
• 👩‍💻 Wordwall Matching Games for Moon phases
• 🌕 🌗 Phases Google Slides to practice identifying the moon phases (view only, make a copy to edit)

Lesson Information

As part of our study about the moon, we have been observing the moon and practicing moon phase identification. For the activity pictured above, students were given a moon phase finder, and laminated cards containing images of the phases of the moon, descriptions of phases, and the names of the phases. The handout included matching the names of phases and their descriptions and the template to create the moon phases flip book. Instead of stapling the flip book when done, we used a rubber band to secure one end.

For the lesson, I started with a demonstration/explanation. Students would sort and match the cards first and then call me over to verify the phases when they were done. They self checked the descriptions by using the matching worksheet. (I don’t have a matching handout to share that is free since it is no longer on UEN) I posted an answer key in the front of the room where they verified their answers/made corrections. Next, they used the cards to help them identify the 29 phases of the flip book. When done, they self check the phases with my answer key in the front of the room. Afterwards, they cut and assembled the flip book. I had small plastic bags and rubber bands for them to take home their pieces if they did not finish during the class period.

updated 4/14/25

• These links no longer work:
  • Handouts and  lesson plan by Utah Education Network (UEN)
    1. Moon phase images, phases, and descriptions (pdf)
       • Laminate, cut apart cards, and store into zip-top bag – 1 bag per 2 students
    2. Moon Phase – Matching Worksheet (pdf)
    3. Drawing Moon Phases Worksheet (pdf)
    4. Moon Phases Flip Book (pdf)