Modeling the Phases of the Moon

Provide your students with the opportunity to experience the gradually changing phases of the moon. By the end of this activity students will be able to model the relative positions of the sun, moon, and Earth for any moon phase and explain why the moon appears to go through phases that gradually change throughout the month. Students will model the revolution of the moon around Earth in 3 dimensions and make careful observations of the way the moon looks to them as the shadows on the moon gradually change. Students will draw what the moon looks like from their perspective at strategic positions that model the relative positions of the sun, moon, and Earth at New Moon, Waxing Crescent, 1st Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.
Resource ID#: 121011 Type: Lesson Plan
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General Information

Subject(s): Science
Grade Level(s): 8
Intended Audience: Educators educators
Instructional Time: 45 Minute(s)
Keywords: Moon Phases, Revolution, Orbit, Full Moon, New Moon, Solar System, Space Science, Waxing gibbous, Waning gibbous, Waxing crescent, Waning crescent, Lunar orbit
Instructional Component Type(s): Lesson Plan
Resource Collection: FCR-STEMLearn Earth Systems

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