Lesson Plan - Blast Off!

Watch the Video
Conduct a think-pair-share to assess what students already know about the moon. Then build deeper background knowledge by playing the video “What You Need to Know About the Moon.”  

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• lunar
• molten

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about whether they would want to visit the moon.

1. Why does the article mention the Grand Canyon?
The article compares the Grand Canyon to Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck, two craters located near the moon’s south pole. These moon craters are deeper than the Grand Canyon—but were created far more quickly.
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2. How has scientists’ understanding of the moon’s dark spots changed over time? 
Scientists used to believe that the dark spots on the moon were bodies of water. Now scientists know that these spots were caused by asteroid strikes more than 3 billion years ago. They were later filled with lava that eventually froze.
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3. How has the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter helped scientists learn about the moon? 
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has shown that Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck were created by an asteroid crash. This spacecraft has also mapped and taken photos of the moon.
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FEATURED SKILL: Reading a Diagram
Use the skill builder “Phases of the Moon” to help students understand why the moon’s appearance seems to change. Encourage students to observe and sketch the moon one night.
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