Resources

Helpful Links:

kidsastronomy.com: Our Solar System
     This site is full of interactive information and games for kids to explore and enjoy. They can click on any object in our solar system to 'visit' and learn all about it and its function. 

NASA Kid's Club
   Tons of images and videos of all things outer space for kids to see. The images are directly for NASA and will peak the interest of any student!

Smithsonian: National Air and Space Museum
   This site allows kids to explore the information and exhibits from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in D.C. May be more suitable for upper elementary grades. 

Read All About It:

Brandley, Franklin. (1987). The Moon Seems to Change (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science). Scottland: Collins. 

Illustrated diagrams and pictures keep this non-fiction text interesting and informative to both younger and   older readers. 

Carlowicz, Michael. (2007). The Moon. New York: Harry N. Abrams

This book not only talks about how the moon works, but how it has influenced our lives, beliefs, and    cultures. 

Crelin, Bob. (2009). Faces of the Moon. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing

The phases of the moon change for the reader through pages cutouts as they progress through the book. This would be a great book to support visual learners. 

Floca, Brian. (2009). MoonShot: The Flight of Apollo 11. New York: Antheneum/Richard Jackson Books. 

This is a beautifully illustrated story of the events of the first mission to the moon.

Fowler, Allen. (1991). So That’s How the Moon Changes Shape. New York: Children’s Press

Illustrations make up most of this book about how the moon changes shape in the sky. Though the explanation used is very scientific, the book may be best suited for younger or struggling readers. 

Gibons, Gail. (1998). The Moon Book. New York: Holiday House 

This simple picture book gives younger readers easy access to information about the moon and its phases. This book would make a great read aloud as an introduction to the topic. 

Landau, Elaine. (2008). The Moon (True Books). New York: Scholastic

This book is full of pictures and facts on everything about the moon. Fun to read and explore.

Mcnulty, Faith. (2004). If You Decide to Go to the Moon. New York: Scholastic Press

This book is a fun look at what it would be like if you traveled to the moon. It includes both fact and fantasy. 

Olson, Gillia. (2008). The Phases of the Moon (Patterns in Nature). Mankato, MN: Capstone Press

Real images of the moon help to explain the moon’s functions and phases. This book would make a great math tie in with its focus on naturally occurring patterns. 

Rylant, Cynthia. (2004). Long Night Moon. New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

This is a very beautifully illustrated and artfully written book about Native American’s names and meanings of the moon each month. Would be a great addition to Social Studies in any grade level. 

Simon, Seymore. (rev. 2003). The Moon.  New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

This book offers a very readable account of basic information about the moon. The pictures are absolutely stunning and will hold the attention and interest of readers of any age.

Out-of-this-Wold Apps for the classroom:

Moon Globe (free) for ipad: Moon Globe
     This app lets students explore the surface of the moon with all of its craters and features through vivid images and 360* viewpoints. The view of the moon is changed as you rotate the ipad. 

Moon Today Lite (free) for ipod, ipad, and android: Moon Today Lite
     This app allows students to track the moon phases and see its position in relation to the sun and Earth. 

SkyView- Explore the Universe ($1.99) for iphone and ipad: SkyView
     When pointed towards the sky, this app with name and explain about any celestial bpdy that it finds in its view.