Lunar Phases: Patterns of lit and unlit portions of the Moon as you see it from Earth.

The cycle takes about …..29 days.

Waxing: means growing

Between new moon and full moon

Waning: means shrinking

Between full moon and new moon

Week 1

Appears to be no moon.

Moon is between the sun and the earth.

Week 1

Amount of sunlight increases on near side.

waxing.

Right side lit

Week 2

Half of the near side lit; Moon is 90° (right angle) from the sun.

waxing

Right side lit

Week 2

Near side is more than half lit, but not fully lit.

waxing

Right side lit

Week 3

Half way through the cycle.

Whole near side of the Moon is lit.

The Moon and Sun on opposite sides of the Earth.

Week 3

Less of near side lit; seems to be shrinking

waning

Left side lit

Week 4

Near side half lit

Three-quarters through cycle

waning

Left side lit

Week 4

Less than ½ of the Moon is lit

Crescent gets thinner

waning Left side lit

Gibbous: Describes shapeBetween first quarter and full moonBetween full moon and third quarter

Crescent: describes shape Between new moon and first quarterBetween third quarter and new moon

Investigating Moon Phases – demonstration and guided notes

Moon riddles – group work

Can you Draw it? – practice with Moon phases

Exit Ticket

Goal:

I can describe and illustrate the phases of the Moon.

1. What is the term we use to describe when the Moon is growing? 2. What phase comes between waxing gibbous and waning gibbous? 3. When the Moon is lit on the right side and appears as a sliver, what phase

is it in? 4. According to this calendar, when was the last new moon?

Bonus: Can you name all 8 stages in order? (starting with new moon)

Goal:

I can describe and illustrate the phases of the Moon.

Investigating Moon Phases – demonstration and guided notes

Moon riddles – group work

Can you Draw it? – practice with Moon phases

Exit Ticket

New Moon: the Moon is between earth and sun, no

Moon is visible

Full Moon: the Moon and sun on opposite sides of

earth

Waning: shrinking

Waxing: growing

In the table…1. Draw and label each phase as it appears from earth (starting with

the new moon).

On the diagram....1. Notice the new moon is labeled and shaded for you. 2. Label the general location/direction of the sun (not included on

diagram). 3. Label the earth. 4. Shade each of the moons as they appear from space .

(Clue: Think about where the sun is. This will not be the same as the moons in the table.)

5. Label each of the moon phases. 6. Draw a dotted line through each moon showing what part of the

moon is visible from earth. 7. Draw a triangle next to the phases that are waxing. 8. Draw a square next to the phases that are waning.