TEKS & Objectives
7.9. The student knows components of our solar system.
8.7 The student knows the effects resulting from cyclical movements of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
We will explore the motion of objects in space.
I will identify the components of our solar system.
1. Watch video.
GG Moon and Its Phases 3-5
2. Review vocabulary.
New Moon This is the first phase of the moon. In this phase, the moon is completely dark since we can’t see the side that the sun is shining on.
Crescent Moon This is the second phase of the moon. In this phase, we can see sunlight reflecting off only about one quarter of the moon’s surface that faces us. It looks like a smile (see the Cheshire Cat from Alice and Wonderland).
Quarter Moon This is the third phase of the moon. In this phase, we can see sunlight reflecting off half of the moon’s surface that faces us.
Gibbous Moon This is the fourth phase of the moon. In this phase, we can see sunlight reflecting off three quarters of the moon’s surface that faces us. It’s not a full moon yet, but it’s getting there.
3. Model the phases of the moon with Oreo cookies.
Vocabulary Alert:
Waxing is “Maxing” or growing with light until a full moon is reached.
Waning is “Draining” or getting smaller after a full moon.
Use Oreo Cookies to recreate the chart below and LABEL it.
Alternate
Optional Extension: Making a moving lunar phase model.
Click the thumbnail below for instructions.
4. Do the flour and cocoa demonstration of lunar impacts from the video.
Try tossing marbles or coins.
Speaking of the moon and its phases…
How do you know the moon is going broke?
It’s down to its last quarter.
5. “Genius Challenge – Moon & Its Phases”
