Phases of the Moon

Introduction

Did you know that the moon is the brightest object in the sky except for the sun?  If you look at the sky every night for a month, you will notice that the moon's shape is constantly changing.

Have you ever wondered what causes the moon phases? We all know that its appearance changes over time. But why? The good way to understand the phases of the moon is to examine an earth-moon-sun diagram:

moon phases diagram

Task

TASK 1:

What are moon phases?

TASK 2:

Determine the 8 phases of the moon.

TASK 3:

Make a model of the Moon, Earth and the Sun that demonstrates the lunar cycle.

Process

Evaluation

To grade your activity for phases of the moon, use the criteria below.

Moon Phase Rubric

Criteria

Point Value

Earned

Project Turned In

50

Model contains representations of the Moon, Earth and the Sun

3

Moon in eight different locations or moveable Moon is present

8

Direction of Moon’s rotation is shown

2

Direction of Moon’s revolution is shown

2

Representation of what the Moon looks like from Space

8

Representation of what the Moon looks like from Earth

8

Student attached index card and has correctly described the lunar cycle in their own words

10

Model is neat and well-constructed and all components are easily identified

8

Name is on the model

1

Total

100

Conclusion

This lesson is intended to be a discovery activity. You have made the observations yourself. Which make them have more sense because you experienced them yourself. This comes in accordance with the preface of the lesson with a lecture on the phases of the moon. You will have learned about the phases of the Moon, how long a lunar cycle takes, and what causes the position of the moon to change in the sky from one day to the other, and from day to night..

Credits

Teacher Page

CONGRATULATIONS!! 


You have learned all the phases of the moon, and observed it, just as an astronomer would have done!