Phases of the Moon

Earth and Space Unit 4th Grade

Lets Think…

Have you ever wondered why the moon seems to be a different shape depending on when you look at it?

Does the moon actually change shape?

Why do you think that the moon appears to change shapes?

Today, I will…

Understand that the moon changes phases

because the moon and earth revolve around the sun.

A Closer Look at Space:

The Moon Video

Let’s get to know the moon by watching this video before we begin our unit. (20:00)

• http://schoolmediainteractive.com/view/object/clip/F8892D2CDD57F6FAAAA66AC2197EB040/06

The Earth, Moon, and

Sun• Earth revolves around the sun.• To revolve means to move in a

circle around another object.• The path that an object takes as

it revolves is called an orbit.

Click image to see Earth’s

orbit around the sun.

The Earth, Moon, and

Sun• The moon orbits

the earth while the earth is orbiting the sun.

• The earth and moon travel around the sun together.

Phases of the Moon

• As the moon orbits Earth, different phases will occur.

• Phases are the different shapes of the moon that we can see from Earth.

• The moon is shaped like a round ball and it’s shape NEVER changes.

• What does change is the amount of the moon we can see from Earth.

Phases of the Moon

• At night, the moon is the brightest object in the sky.

• However, the moon doesn’t give off any light of its own.

• The moon appears to be lit because it reflects light from the sun.

Phases of the Moon

• When an object reflects light, the light bounces off the object’s surface.

• Example: When you shine a flashlight on a mirror, the light will bounce off the surface of the mirror.

Phases of the Moon

• The sun ALWAYS shines on one half of the moon.

• As the moon orbits the earth, it’s location affects how much we can see of the lit half.

• The shapes that we are able to see are parts of the lit half.

Lesson Summary

• The moon orbits the earth and the earth orbits the sun.

• The moon appears to be lit because it is reflecting light from the sun.

• The sun always shines on one half of the moon.• The how much of the lit half that we can see

depends on where the moon is in it’s orbit.• The different shapes of the moon are called

phases.

Extended Writing

Explain why we see different phases of

the moon.

Exit Ticket

What is the source of the moon’s light?

Today, I will…

Correctly sequence the phases of the

moon.

Review• The moon orbits the earth and the earth orbits the

sun. • The moon appears to be lit because it is reflecting

light from the sun.• The sun always shines on one half of the moon.• The how much of the lit half that we can see

depends on where the moon is in it’s orbit.• The different shapes of the moon are called

phases.

LAST

Phases of the Moon• Using the diagram you can

see that sunlight always lights one half of the moon.

• However, the moon doesn’t stay in one place. It moves in a orbit around Earth.

• As the moon moves, we see different parts of the half that is lit.

• The different shapes we see are called the phases of the moon.

New Moon• The phase called a new moon happens with the

bright side of the moon faces away from Earth.• A New Moon looks like no moon at all because all

we can see is the dark side.• A New Moon occurs when the moon is between

Earth and the sun.

Full Moon• The phase called a full moon happens with the

bright side of the moon faces towards Earth.• A Full Moon looks like a bright, round circle.• A Full Moon occurs when Earth is between the

moon and the sun.

Phases of the Moon

• From new moon to full moon, the lit part of the moon that we see gets larger.

• We say that the moon’s phases are waxing, or getting bigger.

• From full moon to the next new moon, the lit part of the moon that we see gets smaller.

• We say that the moon’s phases are waning, or getting smaller.

Let’s see what that looks like!

Phases of the Moon

Click the image to see the moon at 8 positions along it’s orbit and how it looks from Earth.

Chant

Waxing is growing,The right side is glowing!

Waning is shrinking,The left side is winking!

Lunar Cycle

• The time period from one new moon to the next new moon is called a Lunar Cycle or a Lunar Month.

• The time from one new moon to the next is about one month (29.5 days) because that is the amount of time it takes the moon to complete one full orbit around Earth.

• It takes Earth about one year (365 days) to orbit the sun.

Review

Phases of the Moon

White Boards

1. During which phase does the moon appear as a bright round circle?

A. first quarter B. new moon C. third quarter D. full moon

White Boards

2. What is the source of the moon’s light? A. Earth B. the sun C. the moon D. Mars

White Boards

3. Which of these phases comes right after the new moon?? A. waxing crescent B. full moon C. third quarter D. waning gibbous

White Boards

4. Which of these phases comes right after the last quarter? A. full moon B. first quarter C. waning crescent D. waning gibbous

Extended Writing

Explain the difference between a New Moon and

a Full Moon. Draw an illustration to support your

answer.

Exit Ticket

How long does it take to complete one lunar cycle (from one New Moon to

the next New Moon)?

Today, I will…

Correctly sequence the phases of the moon.

Review: Lets Sing!

Click image to view video on You Tube.

Chant

Waxing is growing,The right side is glowing!

Waning is shrinking,The left side is winking!

Guided Practice

• Read pgs. C72-C73 of McGraw-Hill Science Textbook.

• Complete What Makes the Moon Look Different worksheet.

Independent Practice

Sequence the Phases of the Moon Activity

Homework

Complete Identifying Phases

of the Moon Worksheet.

Extended Writing

?

Exit Ticket

When the moon is between the Earth and the Sun what phase is

it in?

Today, I will…

Correctly sequence the phases of the moon.

Review• The moon orbits the earth and the earth orbits

the sun. • The moon appears to be lit because it is

reflecting light from the sun.• The sun always shines on one half of the moon.• The how much of the lit half that we can see

depends on where the moon is in it’s orbit.• The different shapes of the moon are called

phases.

This is

what we

see.

Where the

moon is in orbit.

LAST

Review: Lets Sing!

Click image to view video on You Tube.

Chant

Waxing is growing,The right side is glowing!

Waning is shrinking,The left side is winking!

Guided Practice

Create Phases of the Moon

Slider

Guided Practice

Complete Moon Phases

Worksheet

Independent Practice

Complete Drawing Moon

Phases Worksheet.

Homework

Complete Identifying

Phases of the Moon Worksheet.

Extended Writing

During which phase of the moon would it be easiest to see stars in the night

sky? Explain your answer.

Exit Ticket

Draw and label a waxing gibbous moon and a

waning gibbous moon. Explain the difference

between the two phases.

Today, I will…

Correctly sequence the phases of the moon.

Review: Lets Sing!

Click image to view video on You Tube.

Chant

Waxing is growing,The right side is glowing!

Waning is shrinking,The left side is winking!

Guided Practice

Demonstration: Use Earth and Moon model and a lamp to demonstrate the phases of the moon and how they relate

to their position to the sun.

Guided Practice

Complete Matching Moon

Phases Worksheet

Independent Practice

Complete Phases of the

Moon Worksheet

Practice Questio

ns

Extended Writing

Explain why the position of the earth, moon, and sun cause the phases of

the moon.

Exit Ticket

Draw a diagram that shows the position of the

earth/moon/sun when there is a Full Moon.