Standard and Essential Standard and Essential QuestionsQuestions

S4E2. Students will model the position and motion of the earth in the solar system and will explain the role of relative position and motion in determining sequence of the phases of the moon.

b. Explain the sequence of the phases of the moon.

Why are different phases of the moon observed throughout the month?

What is the sequence of those phases?

Phases of the MoonPhases of the MoonIntroductionIntroduction

What do you see when you look up in the sky at night? You see stars and the moon. But, did you notice the moon does not always look the same? Have you ever wondered why that is?

TaskTask You will be creating a logbook to record important

information about the moon. Then, identify the 8 phases of the moon by exploring the internet. Next, draw the different phases of the moon and label them. After completing the task by NASA you will have discovered why the moon appears to look different and what happens to the moon about every four weeks.

You will get to work in groups of two for this project. Each group will turn in one logbook. You will each turn in the phases of the moon activity.

ResourcesResources Computer/netbooks Two “Phases of the Moon” information sheets Logbook– 1 for each group Pencil White Construction Paper (1 per student) Black Construction Paper (1 per student) White and Black Crayon Scissors Glue

ProcessProcess

The teacher will put you in groups of two by pulling sticks from the can.

At the computer: – You will take on two roles. You will switch roles after

every question.

Researcher: This person is at the computer and finds the answer to the question.

Recorder: This person writes the answer in the logbook.

At the computer:At the computer: Click on the following links to answer the questions. Write the answers in your

logbook. Read All About the Moon.

– What is the distance between the Earth and the moon?– How long does it take the moon to make a full orbit around the Earth?

Read the first two paragraphs of Moon.– What is the size of the moon?– How old is the moon?

Read about The Moon until you find the next answer.– What is the gravitational force on the moon?

Read Phases of the Moon.– How many phases of the moon are there? List all of them.

Include three (3) more interesting facts about the moon using any of the links.

Turn your logbook in to your teacher.

At your desk:At your desk:

Get a piece of white and black construction paper from the front table.

Draw a moon phase on each circle with a black crayon on the white construction paper. Cut out the eight circles. Then put the moon phases in order on the black paper. Label each moon phase in white crayon. Turn your paper in to your teacher.

ConclusionConclusion

Way to go! You have helped the NASA Space program learn about the moon. Thanks to you, NASA now knows why the moon appears to look different every night.

CitationsCitations All about the Moon. (n.d.) Retrieved July 21, 2008, from the Space Web site: http://www.space.com/moon/ 

Arnett, B. The Moon. (2005, April 20). Retrieved July 21, 2008, from The Nine Planets Web site: http://www.nineplanets.org/luna.html

  Lane, S. The 8 Phases of the Moon. (2004, May 27). Retrieved July 21, 2008, from The Class Brain Web site:

http://www.classbrain.com/artaskcb/publish/article_51.shtml

Moon clipart. (n.d.) Retrieved July 22, 2008, from the Google Images Web site: http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/html/im0650.html

Ohio Department of Education. (n.d.) Retrieved July 22, 2008, from the ODE Web site: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEPrimary.aspx?page=2&TopicRelationID=305

Science: Physical processes – Earth, Sun, and Moon. (n.d.) Retrieved July 21, 2008, from the BBC Schools Web site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/tests/earth_sun_moon.shtml

Spudis, P. Moon. (n.d.) Retrieved July 21, 2008, from the NASA Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/moon_worldbook.html

   The Phases of the Moon. (n.d.) Retrieved July 21, 2008, from The Enchanted Learning Web site:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/moon/Phases.shtml

Wilson, J. NASA Kids’ Club. (n.d) Retrieved July 21, 2008, from the NASA Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html