Grade Level: 6th Grade

Subject: Earth and Space Science

Education Standards Addressed:

MS-ESS1-1 Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to
describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses, and seasons.

ESS1.A The Universe and Its Stars: Patterns of apparent motion of the sun,
the moon, and the stars in the sky can be observed, described, predicted,
and explained with models.

ESS1.B Earth and the Solar System: This model of the solar system can
explain eclipses of the sun and the moon. Earths spin axis is fixed in
direction over the short-term but tilted and are caused by the differential
intensity of sunlight on different areas of Earth across the year.

Lesson Questions: Why does the moon have different phases? What are the
different phases of the moon? How long does it take the moon to complete one
phase cycle?

Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

-Identify each phase of the moon

-Explain why we can see the phases of the moon

Information:
The phases of the moon are caused by its position in its orbit relative to
the Earth and the Sun. The phases occur because, as the moon revolves
around the Earth, we observe different amounts of the side of the moon
that is illuminated by the sun.

The moon has eight named phases: new moon, waxing crescent, first
quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and
waning crescent. When the moon is waxing, its illuminated portion
appears to be growing larger. When the moon is waning, its illuminated
portion appears to be growing smaller. The new moon occurs when the
illuminated side of the moon faces away from Earth. The full moon occurs
when the illuminated side of the moon faces Earth.
The moon completes one phase cycle every 29 days

Activities:
Session 1: Students share what they already know about the moon, its
motion and phases, and then watch a video segment which shows how the
moon revolves around Earth and rotates on its axis. Assess students prior
knowledge by asking the following questions: What is the moon? Where is
the moon located in relation to the Earth and sun? What does it mean
when something revolves in an orbit? What does it mean when something
rotates? Does the moon revolve in an orbit? Does it rotate? Explain.

Show students a random choice of four images of the moon. Students

write on their paper several sentences explaining why the appearance of
the moon seems to change over time as shown by the photos. Students
should include as much detail as possible in their explanation.

Session 2: Students use video segments to gather and cite evidence about
the phases of the moon. Students write the three lesson questions on a
blank sheet of paper. Students will use this paper for note taking as they
watch the video segments. Students should also make sketches of the
various moon phases they see throughout the videos. Following the video
segments a class discussion will occur in which students share information
they wrote in their notes. Students are allowed to add information from
our class discussion to their papers.

Session 3: Students carry out a Hands-On activity in order to investigate

and model the phases of the moon. In the activity, students demonstrate
and predict the sequence of events in the lunar cycle. The group uses a
Styrofoam ball stuck on a pencil and a lamp to demonstrate how the
phases of the moon occur. They will go through the 8 phases of the moon
and make observations about the changes that occur.

Session 4: Students carry out a virtual Exploration in order to develop

their ability to recognize and sequence lunar phases. Students roll their
mousse over each moon phases for a hint about the moons position
during that phase. Students select a phase and drag the phase to that
location. After each phase is placed correctly, the moon as it appears
during a full cycle.
Session 5: Students revisit the questions they answered in the first
session, assessing the accuracy of their answers and correcting them
based on what they have learned.

Session 6: Students use a reading passage to explore how knowing about

the phases of the moon can help historians pinpoint when specific
historical events took place.

Session 7: Students create a Board Builder that shows what they learned
about the Focus Question fort his lesson and are evaluated on the
standards for this unit.