Modeling Relationship of Earth and Moon
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to construct models that demonstrate the relationship of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, including orbits and positions.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among objects in the sky.
Science Background
Moon Fact Sheet: National Space Science Data Center (website) - Detailed information about the physical characteristics of Earth and the Moon, the lunar atmosphere, and the Moon’s orbit around Earth.
Moon Fact Sheet
National Space Science Data Center, nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov
The Moon’s Orbit and Rotation: Windows to the Universe (website) - Description of the Moon’s orbit, and an explanation of phases and tidal forces.
The Moon’s Orbit and Rotation
Windows to the Universe, www.windows2universe.org
The Moon’s Motion: Principles of Astronomy (website) - Details of the Earth/Moon relationship, with an explanation of the barycenter (common rotation point).
The Moon’s Motion
by Dr Jamie Love, Principles of Astronomy, www.synapses.co.uk/astro
Signature Lesson
Moon Phase Activity: The Annenberg/CPB Math and Science Project (website) - Classic activity in which students construct and use models of Earth, the Sun, and the Moon to demonstrate why moon phases occur.
Moon Phase Activity
The Annenberg/CPB Math and Science Project, www.learner.org
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Earth & Moon Orbits: Utah Education Network (website) - Students describe the movement of Earth, the Moon and other celestial bodies.
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Phases of the Moon Flip Book: Classroom Zoom (website) - Students construct a flipbook that demonstrates the changing appearance of the Moon as it orbits Earth.
Phases of the Moon Flip Book
Classroom Zoom, www.classroomzoom.com
Observing the Moon: The University of Texas at Austin (PDF) - Students make nighttime observations of the Moon and sketch its appearance.
Observing the Moon
The University of Texas at Austin, McDonald Observatory, stardate.org
Assessment Ideas
Have students create a Moon Observation Log Book, making sketches and notes to describe the Moon’s appearance each day for a period of one or two months. Then have students draw conclusions regarding the patterns noted.
Literature Connections
Faces of the Moon. Crelin B. (ISBN: 978-1570917851)
The Earth and the Moon. Hicks T. (ISBN: 978-0761442547)
Additional Resources
Phases of the Moon Demos: Project ASTRO Tucson (website) - Videos that show and explain the phases of the Moon.
Phases of the Moon Demos
Project ASTRO Tucson, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, www.noao.edu
Moon Phases Calendar: MoonConnection.com- (website) - Interactive, visual calendar showing the phases of the Moon by date and by location on Earth (Northern or Southern Hemisphere).
TEKS Navigation
Grade 3
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