Moon Journal Reflection

            During this project, I observed and analyzed the moon for three nights in a row.  By doing this, I was able to see how the moon differs through its cycle.  When I observed the moon, it was a right before a full moon.  On my third day of observing, it was a full moon.  On the first evening that I observed it, it was around 7:15pm.  The moon was high in the sky.  It was a very clear evening, so I was able to get a good view of it.  On the second night, I observed the moon three different times.  The first time was at 6:15 pm.  The moon was high in the sky and very bright.  An hour later, at 7:15 pm, the moon had already dropped a little.  The shape of the moon was almost a full moon.  There was just a little sliver missing.  The third time that I observed it that night was at 8:30 pm.  The moon was sitting significantly lower in the sky.  I feel that this was a good example of how the moon moves through the sky in a night.  This shows how the moon is always moving on a cycle.  On the last night of my observing, I observed the moon at 7:15 pm.  Tonight was a full moon and it was sitting lower in the sky than the other two nights that I had observed it at 7:15 pm. 

*When looking at my moon cycle chart on the main page, you will notice that the moon is numbered.  The numbers are representing the different phases that it goes through.  I feel that the moon that I was observing was at the #5 stage (or right before it).  Number five represents the ‘full moon.’  This is when the Earth is in between the Sun and moon. 

*Please click on the following attachment to view my notes on the moon journal. 

Rationale

DPI Standards

                During this assignment, I had to observe and make note of the moon and it’s activity.  For three nights in a row, I watch the moon at the same time.  On one of the nights, I observed the moon three different times, at least an hour apart.  By doing this, I was able to see how the moon differed each night.  I was able to see the size of the moon change, the location of the moon change, and anything else that might change during my observations.   After observing, I took note of the changes and drew what the moon looked like.  At the end of the third night, I was able to compare the difference of the moon during the three nights.    

Impact

                By doing this project, I was able to learn more about the moon and its movement.  This helped me to understand how the moon goes through its cycle.  By knowing all of this, I can use the knowledge gained and teach children more about the moon.  I can also use this activity in my classroom in the future.  This would be a good activity for children to do at home with their parents.  They will be able to learn more about the moon by doing so. 

Alignment

                By doing this project, I was able to meet some standards.  Standard 2, Indicator 2 states that teachers should have knowledge of geometry and measurement.  I met this standard by knowing the different shapes of the moon and by understand the concept of relative position.  Standard 3, Indicator 3 states that teachers should have knowledge of basic earth science concepts.  I met this standard by understanding planetary astronomy.  I observed and took note of the changes the moon went through over a three night period.  Standard 12 states that teachers should be able to integrate the arts in to the elementary curriculum.  I was able to meet this by drawing what the moon looked like after observing it and then writing about it.