Moon Phases
Readiness
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to demonstrate that Earth rotates on its axis once approximately every 24 hours causing the day/night cycle and the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among the Sun, Earth, and Moon system.
Science Background
Understanding the Moon Phases: MoonConnection.com (website) - Explanation of the changing phases of the Moon, accompanied by a clear diagram.
Understanding the Moon Phases
MoonConnection.com
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
Orbit and Phases of the Moon: University of Tennessee – Knoxville (website) - Graphic explanation of the Moon’s orbit around Earth as well an extensive demonstration of the phases of the Moon.
Orbit and Phases of the Moon
University of Tennessee – Knoxville, http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/
Why Doesn’t the Moon Rotate?: DigiPro Digital Productions (website) - People always wondered why the Moon's rotation matches that of its revolution around the Earth. Hard to believe it's coincidence. Is there something keeping this synchronization? Why do we always see only one side of the Moon?
Why Doesn’t the Moon Rotate?
DigiPro Digital Productions, http://www.digipro.com/
Signature Lesson
Moon Phases Demonstration: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (website) - Students “act out” the phases of the moon in this interactive variation of a classic activity.
Moon Phases Demonstration
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, www.jpl.nasa.gov
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Phases of the Moon: Newton’s Apple (website) - Students work in teams to create 3D models of each phase of the moon. Activity includes interesting questions for discussion.
Phases of the Moon
Twin Cities Public Television, Newton’s Apple, www.newtonsapple.tv
Telling Time by the Light of the Moon: Discovery Education (website) - Students learn about phases of the Moon while telling time by the Moon’s position in the sky.
Telling Time by the Light of the Moon
Discovery Education, www.discoveryeducation.com
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Eclipse: Project First (website) - Students build, observe and manipulate a model of the Sun, Earth and Moon to simulate the movement of these bodies during a solar eclipse.
Assessment Ideas
Have students draw a diagram showing the Moon’s orbit around Earth, including the position of the Sun, and sketch the phases of the Moon as it is seen at different points in the orbit.
Literature Connections
The Moon. Simon, S. (ISBN: 978-0689835636)
Moon, Meachen-Rau, Dana (ISBN: 0-756-50438-4)
The Moon Book, Gibbons, Gail (ISBN: 0-823-41364-0)
Moon Tales: Myths of the Moon from around the World, Singh, Rina (ISBN: 0-747-54795-5)
The Moon, Winrich, Ralph (978-1-4296-0725-4)
Additional Resources
Moon Phases: StarDate (website) - Moon phase calendar, with information about different Moon-related events.
Moon Phases
The University of Texas McDonald Observatory, StarDate, stardate.org
Photojournal: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (website) - Huge collection of downloadable, high-resolution images of the planets.
Photojournal
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov
TEKS Navigation
Grade 5
Need Assistance?
If you need help or have a question please use the links below to help resolve your problem.
Comments