Under the Moon: Teacher Lesson Plan

Author: Amanda Abbott  |  Publisher: Make Life Shine Publishing
Age Range: 3–7  |  Suggested Duration: 45–60 minutes

This lesson plan comes with free downloadable activity sheets to use alongside the book. You will find printable activity sheets below, ready to download and use in your classroom straight away.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, children will be able to:

  • Name key features of the moon including craters, phases and its surface
  • Describe what an astronaut is and what they wear
  • Identify at least 4 moon phases: full moon, crescent moon, half moon and new moon
  • Explain in simple terms why the moon appears to change shape
  • Understand that the moon orbits the Earth and reflects light from the sun
  • Begin to develop curiosity and wonder about space and the natural world
Curriculum Links
  • EYFS: Understanding the World (Natural World and the Universe)
  • EYFS: Communication and Language (Listening, Attention and Speaking)
  • KS1 Science: Seasonal Changes and Observing the Sky
  • KS1 Science: Animals including Humans (Astronauts and the human body in space)
  • KS1 Literacy: Reading for Pleasure, Vocabulary, Rhyme and Descriptive Language
  • KS1 Maths: Counting and Number (Count the Planets activity)
Resources Needed
  • Copy of Under the Moon
  • Colouring pencils or crayons
  • Plain paper for the drawing activity
  • Optional: pictures or flashcards of moon phases

Free printable activity sheets for this lesson:

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 mins)
Begin by asking children to look up at the sky tonight when they get home. What do they think they will see? Have they ever noticed the moon? Does it always look the same? Introduce the book and the little astronaut. Ask: “Where do you think he is going?” Build excitement before opening to page one.

Story Reading (10–15 mins)
Read Under the Moon aloud with energy and wonder. Pause to explore key pages together:

  • Moon phases page: show the shapes and name them together as a class
  • Craters page: ask “What made those holes?” and mime a rock crashing down with a big Pow!
  • Astronaut page: ask “Why do astronauts need a special suit?”
  • Moon rabbit page: discuss how different cultures tell stories about the moon
  • Gravity page: stand up and bounce gently on the spot to feel what low gravity might be like
  • Planets page: count the planets together and name any the children already know

Moon Phases Activity (10 mins)
After reading, revisit the moon phases page together. Draw four circles on the board and ask children to help you fill in the shapes: full moon, half moon, crescent and new moon. Ask: “Which phase can you see in our book? Which one is your favourite?” Children can draw and label their own moon phases in their books or on paper.

Rhyme Time (5 mins)
Read the Goodbye From the Moon rhyme from the back of the book together. Encourage children to join in, clap the rhythm and act it out. Can they remember any lines by the end?

Activity (10 mins)
Children complete the Draw the Moon and Stars sheet, drawing their own night sky. Encourage them to include the moon in one of its phases, stars and anything else they spotted in the book. Share and celebrate the drawings together.

Match Game (5 mins)
Complete the Match Game together as a class or in pairs, matching the 10 words to their pictures: Half Moon, Earth, Star, Sun, Moon, Moon Palace, Astronaut, Rocket, Rabbit, Crescent Moon.

Closing (5 mins)
Use the What Did We Learn review questions from the book to recap the lesson. Award every child their Moon Explorer Badge with pride. Ask: “If you could travel to the moon, what would you take with you?”

Extension Activities
  • Create a class display of the moon phases with children’s own artwork and labels
  • Look at real photographs of the moon and compare to the illustrations in the book
  • Research a famous astronaut together: Neil Armstrong, Mae Jemison or Tim Peake
  • Discuss the Chinese moon rabbit story and compare to other moon myths from around the world
  • Write or dictate: “If I went to the moon I would _____.”
  • Explore how the moon affects the tides using a simple water and torch demonstration
Assessment

Children can name at least 2 moon phases. Children can explain in simple terms what an astronaut does. Children can identify the moon and at least 2 planets by name. Children participate in the drawing, matching and rhyme activities with confidence.

© Amanda Abbott. Make Life Shine Publishing. This lesson plan is free to use and reproduce for classroom and home learning purposes.