THE MOON’S CYCLEPART TWO

OUR SOLAR SYSTEM, TESLA SCIENCE NOTEBOOKS

BIG IDEA:A system is an organized group of related objects that form a whole. Our solar system is a group of planets, and other celestial objects that orbit the sun.

Remember… In our investigation of the moon, we are trying to help Frankie find out why the Moon was showing up framed in his window at different times and in different shapes? We decided to collect observations of the moon for one month. Scientists often use their data to help them recognize and model patterns.

• Can the moons changing appearance be identified as a cycle? • Does the appearance change over time in a repeated pattern?

Cycle: A set of events that happen over and over in a repeated pattern.

How can we… determine if the moon’s changing appearance can be identified as a cycle?

FOCUS QUESTION:• What is the problem we need to solve?

After collecting moon observations for one month, how many of you feel like we have enough evidence to determine if the moon’s changing appearance can be identified as a cycle?

I think that the moons changing appearance can or can not be identified as a cycle because…

PREDICTION:

Using the moon observation data that you collected, I want you to share what you think could be the best answer to our focus question.

ANALYZING OUR MOON OBSERVATIONS:

What do you notice about the moon observations we collected over the past month?• Did the appearance of the moon look the same everyday?

• How often did the shape change?

• Did the moon eventually return to a shape we observed?

• Does the changing shape appear to follow a pattern?

• Is the moon visible at the same time each day?

• Is the moon visible in the same location of the sky?

ANALYZING MORE DATA:

To help us determine if the moon truly does follow a repeated cycle we should look at data from more than one month. I collected some data during a different month that might help us.

• Did I observe the same shape every day?

• How often did the shape change?• Did the moon eventually return to a

shape I observed?• Does the changing shape appear to

follow a pattern?

WHAT PATTERNS DO WE SEE FROM OUR DATA:

The moon “grows” until it is full, then “shrinks” until it is new.

Waxing Moon:When the moon is between the new phase and the full phase. • More of the moon is visible every day. • The moon is “growing” from the right side.

Waning Moon:When the moon is between the full phase and the new phase. • Less of the moon is visible every day. • The curve of the moon is “shrinking” toward the

left side.

Quick Write: How can you describe the moon’s changing appearance as a cycle?

Today we are going to use our moon data to create a model of the moon’s cycle called a flipbook.

Tips for Creating Your Flipbook:• Orient the pages so they are all facing the same direction. (White bands on the left

side)• Order your pictures so the cycle is accurate and complete.• Add a Cover and a couple blank pages at the end. (Makes it easier to flip)• Bind your flipbook with a binder clip when you think you have an accurate model.

USING MODELS:

Is my Model Accurate?• Do my pages have the moon waxing from new moon to full moon (illuminated on the

right side)?• Do my pages have the moon waning from full moon to new moon (illuminates on the

left side)?

Is your moon flipbook a model? What does it represent?• Yes, it is a model because it represents the moon’s repeated cycle.

What is a cycle?• A set of events that happen over and over in a repeated pattern.

How is the moon’s changing appearance like a cycle?• The moon returned to the same shape as it started.• The moon is waxing from new moon to full moon, and waning from full moon back to new

moon.

How long does it take for the moon to “change back,” or repeat, the cycle?• About one month, the original shape is repeated on the 29th day.

What do you think causes the change in the moon’s appearance?• What ideas from our list are still possible? What new ideas do we need to add?

Why don’t we see the moon in the same location and at the same time each day?• What ideas from our list are still possible? What new ideas do we need to add?

MAKING MEANING:

CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

11/8

November 2011

Based on what you have learned from your observations of the moon, you need to record at least 3 claims and evidence statements in your science notebook.

I claim that… I know this because…

Possible Examples:

I claim that the moon’s appearance changes almost daily. I know this because…

I claim that the moon can not be viewed in the sky at the same time each day. I know this because…

11/8

November 2011

You are ready to begin Part Three

REFLECTION AND CONCLUSION

• What did you learn…?

• What really surprised you…?

• What new questions do you have…?

• What would you like to know more about…?