Concept: Describe the change in position and motion of the moon in the sky over time. Explain why the moon appears to look differently in the sky as it goes through its phases.
Grade Level: 5th
Materials: a round balloon (half colored with a permanent marker), a prepared page for each student with 8 circles on it, a large yellow circle mounted on a wall, various photos of the moon in different phases.
Website: Newtown's Apple
Image source: AuroraHunter
Teacher prep: Hang a yellow circle on the wall. Mark eight positions on the floor and label them #1-8. Each position should represent a phase of the moon (new, new crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, third quarter, old crescent). Cover the names of the phases so the students can only see the numbers of the positions.
Student background information: Explain that the moon is rotating while revolving around the Earth. The moon looks as if it is shining because the sun light is reflecting off it.
The moon looks different because of our different points of view.
Activity #1: Students sit on the floor in the center of the room with the their template of 8 circles and a pencil. Place a large yellow circle on the wall. Hold the balloon so the uncolored side is facing the the wall with the "sun." Stand in position #1 have students draw what they see. Repeat for the other positions. (Students will have to rotate)
Discuss how the same side of the moon always faces the sun because of the rate of rotation is in sync with the Earth.
Activity #2: Watch and discuss the video
Activity #3: Go back to position #1 on the floor. Reveal which phase of the moon they are seeing. Have students label their drawings with the name of the phase.
Repeat for all positions.
Activity #4: Show photos of the moon (randomly) have students name the phase.
Assessment: Have students write a paragraph to explain why the moon looks different throughout the month.
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