Grade Level: K-4 grades

Curriculum Area: Science and Math

Lesson Objectives:

• ESS-E-B6 understanding that knowledge of the Earth as well as of the universe is gained through space exploration. (1)
• ESS-E-B1 observing and describing the characteristics of objects in the sky; (1)
• D-5-E predicting outcomes based on probability (e.g., make predictions of same chance, more likely, or less likely; determine fair and unfair games); (1,2,4)
• M-1-E  applying (measure or solve measurement problem) the concepts of length (inches, feet, yards, miles, millimeters, centimeters, decimeters, meters, kilometers), area, volume, capacity (cups, liquid pints and quarts, gallons, milliliters, liters), weight (ounces, pounds, tons, grams, kilograms), mass, time (seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years), money, and temperature (Celsius and Fahrenheit) to real-world experiences; (1,2,3,4,5)

Technology Performance Indicators: Use technology tools (e.g., publishing, multimedia tools, and word processing software) for individual and for simple collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities for a variety of audiences. (1,3) 

Technology Connection: Internet

Assessment: Internet search, project, paragraph

Procedures:

1. Introduce moon craters to the students: Lunar craters are generally circular depressions that have a sunken bottom and the edges rise slightly higher than the rest of the Moon's surface. How craters form:
   1. Meteorites of many sizes pelt the Moon's surface, there is no protective atmosphere on the moon.
   2. The impact breaks up the meteorite and causes material to be thrown out from the surface.
   3. As the material is sent flying in all directions, a round crater forms with a hollow depression in the center.
   4. The edge of the crater forms a mountainous ring that rises high above the surrounding surface. There are more craters on the far side of the Moon than on the near side.
2. As a whole group the teacher will choose from the following websites to let students view real moon craters.
   • http://www.micronet.fr/~zaouali/crater3.htm#tycho
   • http://www.csc.uvic.ca/~rbedard/moon/MoonCraters.html
   • http://ispec.scibernet.com/student-pages/ourmoon/craters.html
3. Distribute questions that the students will answer from an Internet search. The address is on the top of the questionnaire.
4. Review with the students.
5. Divide students into groups. Each group is to make a small, medium, and large sized meteorite. They are required to name each one. After that they are to predict which would make the greatest depression into a pan filled with flour. (Use this form)
6. The teacher will present a ladder and ask them to adjust their prediction from the bottom, the middle, and the top of the ladder. (Use this form)
7. Explain how to measure the depth and the width of the crater.
8. The teacher will climb the different heights on the ladder and release the meteorites.
9. The students will then write a paragraph describing and explaining a moon crater.
10. Assess students using a rubric. (See our sample)

Materials: a shallow plastic container (like for cat litter), flour or any inexpensive white powder, Play-dough for making meteorites

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