UPT

__Working Title__: Moon phases as seen from around the world

__Content Standards__:
 * 5.3 — Most objects in the solar system are in a regular and predictable motion.
 * //5.3.a. The positions of the Earth and moon relative to the sun explain the cycles of day and night, and the monthly moon phases.//

__Information Literacy/Inquiry Standards/21st Century Skills__:

21st Century skills:
 * 1.1.9 - Collaborate with others to broaden and deepen understanding.
 * 1.4.2 - Use interaction with and feedback from teachers and peers to guide own inquiry process.
 * 1.4.4 - Seek appropriate help when it is needed.
 * 2.2.3 - Employ a critical stance in drawing conclusions by demonstrating that the pattern of evidence leads to a decision or conclusion.
 * 2.3.2 - Consider diverse and global perspectives in drawing conclusions.
 * 3.2.2 - Show social responsibility by participating actively with others in learning situations and by contributing questions and ideas during group discussions.
 * 4.1.7 - Use social networks and information tools go gather and share information.

__Purpose__: Students will compare their observations of the moon's phases in Connecticut with students' observations of the moon from Australia. Students will create blog entries to share observations with others Students will use digital images of their drawings in their blog posts.

__Essential Question__: Do the phases of the moon look the same from every point on the Earth?

__Work Habits__:
 * Attending to details and accuracy
 * Thinking critically

__Thinking Skills__: Students will describe and show their initial understanding of the phases of the moon with their moon journal/calendar. They will then develop an interpretation of this understanding by predicting if the moon appears the same from Australia and they will give supporting evidence why or why not. They will compare their observations with those made from Australia to determine if the results support the prediction. They will finally rate the accuracy of their predictions. Students will create blog entries to share their moon journal/calendar with others.

__Formats of Products and/or Performances__:
 * Double column entry journals for moon observations - picture drawing or photograph and written description
 * Blog entries of journals (typed and digital images of pictures of drawings/scans of drawings)

__Audience__: Students from another school

__Role of Learner in Task__: Astronomer

__Instructional Arrangement(s)__: _x_ individual _x_ small group _ large group _ whole class

__Technology or Resources Suggested__:
 * Baseball Moon classroom exercise
 * [[file:Moon Phase Journal.pdf]]
 * Phases of the Moon video
 * [|www.kidblogs.org] []
 * Lunar Cycle Rap (video from You Tube) Click here to link to You Tube

__Collaborative Teaching Roles and Responsibilities__:
 * Mrs. Welch will
 * Assist students in contacting students from Australia to gather Australian moon phase perspectives
 * Assess student predictions and information-seeking behaviors
 * Create and monitor blog
 * Ms. Miller will
 * Introduce subject of moon phases in the classroom with Phases of the Moon video
 * Further students' understanding of moon phases with Baseball Moon classroom exercise
 * Assign moon journal observation to occur every night for 29 nights
 * Assess moon journal using Moon Phases Project Rubric

__Timeline__: The entire project will take one calendar month for the classroom. 1-2 library visits with additional visits as necessary for computer use for blogging