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Moonlit Sky

The moon and moonlight have inspired works across the arts. Students will learn about why the moon shines and then create a moonlit scene.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

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  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Have students try to come up with examples of artistic creations inspired by the moon. Perhaps they'll think of Michael Jackson's moonwalk dance, books such as "Goodnight Moon" or "Happy Birthday Moon," Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, or others. Show them images of the moon depicted in paintings, such as "Nocturne: Blue and Gold, Southampton Water" (1872) by James McNeill Whistler, "Moonlight, Wood Island Light" (1894) by Winslow Homer, "Road with Cypress and Star" (1890) by Vincent van Gogh, or any others.

  • Step 2

    Have a discussion about the moon's properties. It doesn't create its own light; rather, it is visible to us because we see light from the sun reflecting off its surface. Though it's hard to see during the day because the sky is too bright, sometimes it reflects enough light to be seen before sundown. The moon also plays a huge role in the formation of tides in the ocean due to its gravitational pull.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to create a watercolor painting inspired by the moon. You might play excerpts of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata or a recording of ocean sounds to encourage them. When the works are dry have them discuss their art and talk about the many ways the moon can inspire art.

Standards

SCI: Make observations (firsthand or from media) to construct an evidence-based account that objects can be seen only when illuminated. 

SCI: Engage in discussing or writing about evidence, cause and effect to understand the connections across science domains of: Physical, Life, Earth and Space, and Engineering. 

Adaptations

Read a poem about the moon such as "The Moon" by Robert Louis Stevenson or "The Moon" by Emily Dickenson. Then have students write an original moon poem.

Encourage students to visit NASA Space Place (www.spaceplace.nasa.gov), an educational website for elementary school students, and select some of the short passages about the moon including Lunar and Solar eclipses, Why Does the Moon Have Craters?, How Far Away Is the Moon, and others.