Activity
Moon Phases – Tactile Graphic
This model is of the phases of the Moon for students who are blind or visually impaired.
This tactile graphic is very easy to make and has worked well with my students. I am unsure of who originally designed the model. Use this model to enhance student comprehension of the phases of the Moon.
Materials
- Thick corrugated cardboard – large enough to cut out 8 – 8″ diameter circles
- White sandpaper
- Black spray paint
- Braille label paper
- Perkins Brailler
- Cardstock paper for print labels.
- Glue
Preparation
1. Spray paint black one side of a large piece of corrugated cardboard. Cardboard should be large enough to cut out eight 8″ diameter circles.
2. Cut out 8 circles of cardboard with a diameter of 8″ each.
3. Make labels for each phase of the Moon in 48 pt bold and braille
4. Afix labels on the side of the circles that haven’t been spraypainted.
5. Cut out the white sandpaper in appropriate shapes for the lighted portion of the Moon during each phase. See picture below.
6. Glue the lighted portion onto each circle (as per labels on the back of the circles).
This model should be utilized for instruction in the phases of the Moon. While the class is covering this content, present the student with the model in the appropriate order. Ideally, the TVI will be present for this lesson.
Variations
This model can also be utilized along with the activity Moon phases – Active Model.
NGSS Standards
Middle School – Space Systems
- ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars- Patterns of the apparent motion of the sun, the moon, and stars in the sky can be observed, described, predicted, and explained with models. (MS-ESS1-1)
By Laura Hospitál
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