Context: This artifact was created in GS 4401: Science and Science Teaching in the Elementary School. It was created during the Fall semester of 2007 under the advisement of Mr. Jeff Goodman.

Impact: By completing this artifact I am able to more fully understand the lunar phases and the real world applications of this understanding. I will therefore be better equipped to teach this concept to my future classroom.

If students completed the same assignment they would meet the following third grade NCSCOS science objectives:

3.02 Observe that objects in the sky have patterns of movement including:

Sun

Moon

Stars

3.04 Use appropriate tools to make observations of the moon.

3.05 Observe and record the change in the apparent shape of the moon from day to day over several months and describe the pattern of changes.

Alignment: This artifact allows me to meet the following NCDPI teacher standards:

Standard 2, Indicator 2: This artifact enabled me to analyze the moon's cycle so that I could discover the relative positions of the earth, moon, and sun. I needed to understand the positions of the earth, moon, and sun, in order to connect the positions to the lunar cycle. I was able to create a drawing of the positions to explain the phases of the moon.

Standard 3, Indicator 3: Through this artifact I am able to show my knowledge of planetary astronomy. The moon journal enabled me to keep a running record of the moon, earth, and sun's positions throughout the semester. I was also able to see how these positions affected the seasons.

Standard 12: By completing the moon journal I was able to incorporate art into the science curriculum by completing detailed drawings of the moon through the semester. Additionally, it would be easy to create an art component to this project by making the students complete artwork about the moon, abstract or realistic, in different media, either 3-D or 2-D.