Phases of Life Moon Phases Project

This Moon Phases Project resource contains two versions of a similar project. One version I call a ‘mini-
project’ as it is less time-consuming and could even be completed in class. Both of these projects are
perfect to use as a culminating activity to teaching the moon phases! They both give students the chance
to apply the moon phases to important events in their lives.

First, students brainstorm ten events that were significant to their lives and they record the specific
dates (month/day/year) of these events. Suggestions include student's birthday, the date his/her parents
were married, the date he/she saw favorite band in concert, the day his/her family got their dog, the day
his/her favorite sports team won the championship, etc. I usually give this part as a homework assignment
so the students can discuss exact dates (and years!) with their parents.

Then, using a website that has historical moon phase calendars by month/year, the students look up and
record the phase that the moon was in on each of their special dates.

For the mini-project, each

student completes 10 cards
containing the event name,
event date, moon drawing, and
moon phase name. I give each
student two sheets of 6 cards
each in case they make a
mistake and want to re-do a
card. Students cut out their 10
cards and paste them onto a
single sheet of construction paper.

For the bigger project, each student designs a poster that displays the significant dates and their
respective moon phases. The poster can be designed as a timeline or as a collage. Pictures, images, and
texture are added to give the poster personalized flair.

Connecting the moon phases to special events will help your students to really remember the moon phases.
This is also a fun way to get to know your students and what is important to them.

The website given is https://stardate.org/nightsky/moon. I like this site because it does not give students
the name of the phases—they need to review what they know in order to name them. But, this site only
goes back to January 1951. If a student has an event date from before this, you can direct them to use
https://www.moonpage.com/.
A grading rubric is included for the larger project!
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Phases of Life : Important Dates to You Name _________________________________

In the table below, write down 10 events/dates that are significant for you. These can be dates that occurred in
your lifetime or dates of events in history that affected your life or that you care about. You must write the month,
day AND year.

Some examples: your birthday, the date your brother/sister was born, the date of “the best day of your life”, the
date that you scored the winning goal in soccer, the date your favorite celebrity or baseball player was born, the
date you first flew in a plane, the date you started Kindergarten, the date of the Superbowl when your team won,
the date that your parents were married, the date you saw your favorite band in concert, etc.

Event # Event Date (Month/Day/Year)

10
Name _______________________________ Class _______ Date _______________ Phases of Life Mini-Project Cards

Event: Event: Event:

________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________ Date: _____________________________________ Date: _____________________________________

Moon Drawing: Moon Drawing: Moon Drawing:

Moon Phase:____________________________ Moon Phase:____________________________ Moon Phase:____________________________

Event: Event: Event:

________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________ Date: _____________________________________ Date: _____________________________________

Moon Drawing: Moon Drawing: Moon Drawing:

© Sunrise Science
Moon Phase:____________________________ Moon Phase:____________________________ Moon Phase:____________________________

Use the website https://stardate.org/nightsky/moon to look up the moon phases on your important dates.
Name _______________________________ Class _______ Date _______________ Phases of Life Mini-Project Cards

Event: Event: Event:

________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________ Date: _____________________________________ Date: _____________________________________

Moon Drawing: Moon Drawing: Moon Drawing:

Moon Phase:____________________________ Moon Phase:____________________________ Moon Phase:____________________________

Event: Event: Event:

________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________ Date: _____________________________________ Date: _____________________________________

Moon Drawing: Moon Drawing: Moon Drawing:

© Sunrise Science
Moon Phase:____________________________ Moon Phase:____________________________ Moon Phase:____________________________

Use the website https://stardate.org/nightsky/moon to look up the moon phases on your important dates.
Name ___________________________________________________ Period _____
Phases of Life Poster Project

Due Date ______________________________

Now that you have studied the eight phases of the

moon, you will explore what phase of the moon was
visible from Earth on important dates in your life or
in history.

Directions:
1. Read over the rubric for this project.

2. In the table, write down 10 events/dates that are significant for you. These can be dates
that occurred in your lifetime or dates of events in history that affected your life or that you
care about. You must write the month, day AND year.

Some examples: your birthday, the date your brother/sister was born, the date of “the best
day of your life”, the date that you scored your first goal in soccer, the date your favorite
celebrity or baseball player was born, the date that a particular president was elected, the
date of the Superbowl when your team won, the date that your parents were married, the
date you saw your favorite band in concert, etc.

3. Log onto https://stardate.org/nightsky/moon

4. Change the calendar to reflect the month and year for each of your significant dates.

5. For each of your events, find the day of the month that it occurred, DRAW the moon phase
that was visible and WRITE the name of the phase in your table.

6. For the project, you will make a poster displaying the moon phases for each event. You
have the creative freedom to arrange your poster how you choose. Perhaps as a timeline,
or perhaps more like a collage. Include for each event the description (for example, “the
day I was born”), the date (month, day and year), a drawing of the moon phase, the name
of that phase, and a drawing, photo, clipart or magazine cut-out to represent that event (for
example, a picture of a baby for your birth date).
BE CREATIVE!!!

NOTE: Your events may or may not be the same phase of the moon-
you have no control over this!

7. Neatly tape or staple your rubric to the back of your project for grading.
 Date Drawing of Moon Name of Moon
# Event
Month/Day/Year Phase Phase

10
Name ___________________________________________________ Period _____
Phases of Life Poster Rubric

Requirements Points Possible Points Earned Comments

Event Description/Title 10 (1 point per event)

Event Date 10 (1 point per event)

Drawing of Moon Phase 10 (1 point per event)

Name of Moon Phase 10 (1 point per event)

Picture/Drawing for Event 10 (1 point per event)

Neat and Legible 7

(spelling, handwriting, organization)

Rubric attached to
3
back of project

Total Grade 60

*** Please tape or staple this rubric to

the back of your poster for grading ***
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