Phases of the Moon

SCI.4.5.5 Explain how the moon’s movement and

position determine its appearance from Earth.
Vocabulary
● axis: a straight line around which a
body spins or rotates
Vocabulary
● rotation or rotate:
the motion of turning
or spinning on an
axis

● revolution or revolve:
to orbit or move in a
path around another
object
 Phases of the Moon

The moon revolves

around the Earth and
shows Earth’s shadow
covering different
parts of the moon as
the moon reflects light
from the sun.
About the Moon
● It takes 28 days for the moon to revolve
(move/orbit) around the Earth.

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More About the Moon
At different times of the
month, we see the moon
has different shapes. This
is because different parts
of the moon are lit up or
illuminated. It depends on
where the moon is in its
orbit around the Earth.
Lunar Phases: The different shapes of the moon.

New Moon Waxing Crescent

No moon is seen. Only a small sliver of moon

facing the Earth is lighted/seen.
 First Quarter Waxing Gibbous

Half of the side of the More than half the moon

moon facing the Earth is facing the Earth is
lighted/seen. lighted/seen.
 Full Moon Waning Gibbous

The full circle of the More than half the moon

moon facing the Earth is facing the Earth is
lighted/seen. lighted/seen.
Third/Last Quarter Waning Crescent

Half of the side of the Only a small sliver of

moon facing the Earth is moon facing the Earth is
lighted/seen. lighted/seen.