Oreo Moon Phases!

While in our Space Unit we get to cover the 3rd and 4th grade material too for review and because unfortunately Science isn't tested in 3rd and 4th grade it isn't as much of a priority so we really focus on it in Fifth grade. (no one would admit to the above statement if you asked them of course all subjects are important and taught to their entirety based on the standards) :) 

So while reviewing I decided since I have never gotten to teach moon phases or space for that matter that I was going to do it up right this year. I LOVED making my space smartboards and find pictures and videos to help my kids better understand the standards. Space is truly amazing and beautiful. Seriously beautiful.

So while on Moon Phases I decided to do the Oreo Moon phases activity. I learned about this in college and our 3rd graders did it at my old school. My kids hadn't done it yet so it was even better for me! 
I prepackaged the kids with 4 oreos, a little tongue depressor (I can't think of the teacher words for these little wooden sticks is!) and a paper plate. We then drew the Earth in the middle of the plate. And drew the sun on the left hand side. After drawing these two on the plate we discussed which phases would be occurring and why based on the location of the Sun and Earth. I drew on the whiteboard while they wrote on their plates. First we just labeled the moon phases and then I let the kids go with their oreos. 

We did discuss the secret trick of twisting the oreos to get the icing on one side or the other of the oreo. Obviously New Moon and Full Moon were the easiest followed by the first and third quarter moons. Crescent moon were the trickiest for the kids. 
 
Another trick I discovered during my planning of these lessons was the difference of Waning and Waxing. Waxing means the light is growing and each phases should be growing with light to then get to Full Moon or full light, after full moon the light then wanes or decreases until it comes back to New Moon. I loved this idea having never had to learn the moon phases (that I can remember anyway) it totally helped me remember the phases. My kids even started saying "Wax on" more light..."Wax off" less light. Bahahahaha close but not quite! Still funny though. 


Enjoy checking out our pictures of the this awesome activity. Of course after I checked off their phases they got to eat their cookies. I didn't make them glue the cookies down or anything but you can!