Hobbies And Interests
Moon Crafts
Moon craft activities are suitable for young children just beginning to explore moon science. Introduce the shape and texture of the moon with a paper plate craft in which students use sponges or rags and gray paint to create a plate moon. A more advanced solar system craft features an Earth, sun and moon mobile made from small Styrofoam balls. The largest ball representing the sun should be yellow; the medium ball is a blue and green Earth; the smallest ball is a gray moon. String the balls from a cross or t-shaped wooden dowel and hang it above the child's bed.
Moon Phases
As the moon orbits the Earth, its position in relation to the sun causes the illuminated portion of the moon to change and create moon phases. Moon phase activities allow children to explore the movement of the moon around the Earth and develop an understanding of the position of the sun, moon and Earth. Introduce the moon phases through a sorting activity in which children place separate images of each phase of the moon into the correct order. Once students understand the concept of moon phases, encourage them to observe the moon each night for a month and to keep sketches of the moon in a calendar. At the end of the month, review the observations and name each moon phase on the calendar.
Moon Mythology
For centuries, civilizations have been fascinated and intrigued by the night sky, and many of these cultures told oral stories to explain the origin of the moon. Other stories explored the powers or deities associated with the moon. A moon mythology project is suitable as an interdepartmental project for English and science classes. One option is to assign students a culture like Native American, ancient Greece or Germany. Each student or student group is responsible for researching a myth associated with their assigned culture and designing a presentation for the class. Another option is to invite students to create their own myths regarding the origin of the moon, its phases or its power over the oceans' tides.
Moon Past, Present and Future
Study of the moon began in ancient times, and advancement in technology has brought scientists new understandings of the moon's function and its possible future as a resource for humankind. A history project might ask students to create timelines of the most significant moon-related discoveries or adventures of the last 300 years. Students might include the invention of the telescope and the first lunar landing. Another option is to instruct students to collect recent news clippings and press releases regarding moon discoveries or theories. Students then use the information to create a press release of the future that reflects what they predict the future holds for the moon and its relationship to humankind or Earth.