Earth and Space Science Class

FROM
CRESCENT
TO FULL
Understanding the Lunar Phases

WELCOME TO
SPACE!
HEY THERE, AMAZING STUDENTS!
Welcome to your Earth and Space Science class – the
cosmic adventure begins! I'm Rosa Aguado, and I'm
absolutely thrilled to be your guide on this journey of
exploring the wonders of the universe.
Get ready to uncover the mysteries of the Moon! Today,
we dive into the fascinating world of Moon phases,
discovering how the dance of light and shadow creates
enchanting shapes in our night sky. Let's embark on this
celestial journey together!

LESSON
OUTCOMES

01
02
03

KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION
Identify and describe the eight primary
phases of the Moon, recognizing and
accurately labeling each phase.

CONCEPTUAL
UNDERSTANDING
Demonstrate an understanding of how the
illumination of the Moon changes as it orbits
Earth, leading to different observable
phases.

APPLICATION OF
KNOWLEDGE
Apply knowledge of moon phases through a
creative and tactile experience, constructing
representations.

TO THE
LAUNCH PAD!
THE LAUNCH PAD SECTION IS AN
OPENING ACTIVITY.
For this task, gather with your assigned groups and
brainstorm ideas about our Moon. Be guided by the
following questions:
• What do you know about the moon?
• Can you describe the moon's features?
• What role does the moon play for the earth?

LET'S INTRODUCE

THE MOON ISN'T JUST A
BEAUTIFUL ORB

AS WE GAZE AT OUR BEAUTIFUL
MOON

The moon plays a crucial role in shaping our world. Its
gravitational pull influences Earth's tides, creating the
ebb and flow of our oceans. Additionally, the Moon
acts as a stabilizing force for Earth's axial tilt,
contributing to the stability of our planet's climate.

Remember that its presence affects more than just
the tides. It has cultural significance, inspiring myths,
poetry, and even guiding ancient calendars. The
Moon's phases have been observed for centuries,
providing a rhythmic dance in our night sky.

THE MOON
The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite and is
the fifth largest moon in the solar system.

DISTANCE FROM EARTH
Approximately 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers)

DIAMETER
2,159 miles (3,474 kilometers)

ORBITAL PERIOD
Approximately 27.3 days

GRAVITY
About 1/6th of Earth's gravity on the lunar surface

COMPOSITION
Primarily composed of rock and dust, with various
geological features including craters, mountains,
and plains

FOUR MAIN PHASES
OF THE MOON

NEW MOON

WAXING

FULL MOON

WANING

The new moon phase is
when the Moon is not
visible from Earth.

The waxing phases are
when the Moon appears to
grow larger.

The full moon is when the
entire side of the Moon is
visible from Earth.

The waning phases are
when the Moon appears to
grow smaller.

COMPLETE
LUNAR
CYCLE
THIS LUNAR CYCLE COMPLETES IN
APPROXIMATELY 29.5 EARTH DAYS.
The lunar cycle is the recurring sequence of changes
in the Moon's appearance as seen from Earth, which
begins with the new moon phase and progresses
through waxing phases, full moon, waning phases
before returning to the new moon phase again.

NEW
MOON
THE MOON APPEARS
COMPLETELY DARK IN THE
SKY.
This happens because during this phase,
the side of the moon that is facing Earth is
not illuminated by the sun.

MOON STATS
Moon Phase: Primary
Illumination: 0%
Position: Between the sun and earth

WAXING
Crescent
THE MOON APPEARS AS A
THIN CRESCENT SHAPE IN
THE SKY.
During this phase, the moon moves further
away from the sun and more of its
illuminated side becomes visible.

MOON STATS
Moon Phase: Intermediate
Illumination: 0.1% to 49.9%
Position: Nearly on a line with Earth

FIRST
Quarter
THE MOON APPEARS
EXACTLY HALF OF ITS
SURFACE ILLUMINATED.
At this point in its cycle, the moon is one
quarter of the way through its orbit around
the Earth.

MOON STATS
Moon Phase: Primary
Illumination: 50%
Position: One quarter around the earth.

WAXING
Gibbous
THE MOON APPEARS IN A
MOSTLY ILLUMINATED
CRESCENT SHAPE.
This occurs as the moon continues to move
away from the first quarter phase and
closer to the full moon phase.

MOON STATS
Moon Phase: Intermediate
Illumination: 50.1% to 99.9%
Position: Further along in its orbit

FULL
Moon
THE ENTIRE FACE OF THE
MOON VISIBLE TO EARTH IS
FULLY ILLUMINATED.
This occurs when the Moon is on the
opposite side of the Earth from the Sun,
with the Earth sandwiched between.

MOON STATS
Moon Phase: Primary
Illumination: 100%
Position: Opposite the sun around Earth

WANING
Gibbous
THE MOON IS GRADUALLY
SHRINKING, CRESCENT
SHAPE IN THE SKY.
The waning gibbous moon rises in the east
in the late evening and sets in the west in
the early morning hours.

MOON STATS
Moon Phase: Intermediate
Illumination: 99.9% to 49.9%
Position: Moves further away

THIRD
Quarter
THE MOON APPEARS
EXACTLY HALF OF ITS
SURFACE ILLUMINATED.
The third quarter moon is a phase of the
Moon that occurs approximately three
weeks after the new moon phase.

MOON STATS
Moon Phase: Intermediate
Illumination: 99.9% to 49.9%
Position: approx. 90˚ away from Sun

WANING
Crescent
THE MOON APPEARS AS A
THIN CRESCENT SHAPE IN
THE SKY.
The waning crescent moon is a phase of the
Moon that occurs approximately three
weeks after the full moon phase.

MOON STATS
Moon Phase: Intermediate
Illumination: 49.9% to 0.1%
Position: Nearly on a line with Earth

COSMIC
TASK

MATERIALS:
• Flashlight, Earth model, and Moon Model

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Arrange your 'Earth' on a flat surface. Position your 'Moon' about
an arm's length away from the 'Earth,' ensuring it's visible in the
light.
• Use the flashlight to represent the Sun. Move your 'Moon'
around the 'Earth,' observing how the illuminated part changes.
Pay attention to how the different phases unfold during this
movement.
• Engage in group discussions as you model the phases. Discuss
how the positions of the 'Sun,' 'Earth,' and 'Moon' contribute to
the observed phases.
• Record your observations in your notebooks. What did you
notice about the changing illumination of the Moon during its
orbit?

HOW WILL IT BE GRADED?
CRITERIA

EXCELLENT
(10 POINTS)

GOOD
(7-9 POINTS)

SATISFACTORY
(4-6 POINTS)

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
(1-3 POINTS)

GROUP COLLABORATION

The student actively participated The student participated in group
The student made minimal
in group discussions,
discussions, shared observations, The student participated to some
attempts to participate in group
contributing valuable insights,
and engaged with peers, but
extent in group discussions but
discussions, and their
actively listening to others, and
there may have been minimal
did not actively engage with
contribution was limited or not
promoting a collaborative
contribution or limited
peers or contribute significantly.
constructive.
atmosphere.
interaction.

ACCURACY OF MOON
PHASE MODELING

The student accurately modeled
and demonstrated all phases of
The student demonstrated a
The student accurately modeled
The student had significant
the Moon, showcasing a clear
basic understanding of Moon
most phases of the Moon, with
inaccuracies in the modeling,
understanding of how the
phases but had noticeable
some minor inaccuracies or
demonstrating a limited
changing positions of the 'Sun,'
inaccuracies or missed some key
omissions in the demonstration.
understanding of Moon phases.
'Earth,' and 'Moon' contribute to
aspects in the modeling.
observed phases.

RECORDING
OBSERVATIONS

The student recorded detailed
The student recorded minimal
The student recorded some
The student did not record
and insightful observations about observations about the changing observations about the changing
observations or provided minimal
the changing illumination of the illumination of the Moon but may illumination of the Moon but may
and unclear information.
Moon during its orbit.
have lacked detail or clarity.
have lacked detail or clarity.

Earth and Space Science Class

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RESOURCES
PAGE
Feel free to utilize these valuable resources
as references for your upcoming projects.
These elements are at your disposal to aid
and guide you in your future projects.

SHORTCUT
Keys
Enhance the learning experience by
incorporating these handy shortcut keys
while in presentation mode.

B

for blur

C

for
confetti

D

for a
drumroll

M

for mic
drop

O

for
bubbles

Q

for quiet

U

for unveil

0-9

Any number from 0-9 for a timer