Phases of the Moon
Students will explain the changing appearance of the Moon as it orbits Earth.
Key Questions
- Explain why the Moon appears to change shape over the course of a month.
- Construct a model demonstrating the different phases of the Moon.
- Predict the next phase of the Moon given its current appearance.
ACARA Content Descriptions
About This Topic
Choreographing a Narrative challenges Year 7 students to use movement to tell a story or explore a theme. This topic brings together the BASTE elements and cultural understandings to create original works. In the Australian Curriculum, students are encouraged to use dance to communicate ideas and emotions to an audience. They learn that a 'narrative' doesn't have to be a literal plot; it can be an abstract exploration of a concept like 'growth,' 'conflict,' or 'connection to place.'
Students focus on the structure of a dance, the beginning, middle, and end, and the importance of transitions. This unit develops critical thinking and collaborative skills as students must negotiate and refine their ideas within a group. This topic is best taught through iterative, student-centered workshops where students 'draft' movements, receive peer feedback, and refine their choreography in a supportive environment.
Active Learning Ideas
Inquiry Circle: The Prop Prompt
Groups are given a simple prop (e.g., a length of blue fabric or a single chair). They must choreograph a 1-minute piece where the prop represents something else (e.g., a river, a barrier, a memory) to tell a short story.
Peer Teaching: Transition Swap
Two groups each create two 'main' movements. They then swap groups, and the new group must choreograph the 'transition' that connects those two movements smoothly, focusing on flow and timing.
Think-Pair-Share: Abstracting an Idea
Students choose a word (e.g., 'friendship'). They think of a literal action for it (a handshake), then work with a partner to 'abstract' it by changing the level, speed, or energy until it becomes a dance move.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionA dance story has to have characters and a clear plot like a movie.
What to Teach Instead
Dance often uses 'thematic' narrative. Active exercises in 'abstracting' everyday movements help students see that they can communicate a feeling or an idea without a literal storyline.
Common MisconceptionThe best dances are the ones with the most difficult tricks.
What to Teach Instead
A simple movement performed with clear intention and good transitions is often more effective. Peer feedback sessions help students focus on 'clarity of message' rather than just technical difficulty.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Planning templates for Science
5E Model
The 5E Model structures lessons through five phases (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate), guiding students from curiosity to deep understanding through inquiry-based learning.
unit plannerThematic Unit
Organize a multi-week unit around a central theme or essential question that cuts across topics, texts, and disciplines, helping students see connections and build deeper understanding.
rubricSingle-Point Rubric
Build a single-point rubric that defines only the "meets standard" level, leaving space for teachers to document what exceeded and what fell short. Simple to create, easy for students to understand.
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