Phases of the Moon
Understand the phases of the Moon by observing the positions of the Moon, Earth and Sun. A view of the Moon from Earth is shown on the right as the Moon orbits Earth. Learn the names of Moon phases and in what order they occur. Click Play to watch the Moon go around, or click Pause and drag the Moon yourself.
Launch GizmoPhases of the Moon
Understand the phases of the Moon by observing the positions of the Moon, Earth and Sun. A view of the Moon from Earth is shown on the right as the Moon orbits Earth. Learn the names of Moon phases and in what order they occur. Click Play to watch the Moon go around, or click Pause and drag the Moon yourself.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Define rotation and revolution.
- Explain why we see Moon phases.
- Relate Moon phases to the Moon's position.
- Name the phases of the Moon and list them in order.
- Notice that we always see the same face of the Moon. (Extension)
- Explain the meaning of a year and a day. (Extension)
- Find the length of a lunar year and day. (Extension)
VOCABULARY:
- axis, crescent, First Quarter, Full Moon, gibbous, illuminate, New Moon, orbit, revolve, rotate, Third Quarter, waning, waxing
LESSON MATERIALS:
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Phases of the Moon Lesson
Understand what causes the phases of the moon as we see it from Earth. Students will work in small groups... (more) and as a whole group to create a model.
Best For:
5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade Science
Vocabulaire: Phases de la lune
version français
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Exploration par l'étudiant: Phases de la lune
version français
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3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade Science
Vocabulario: Fases de la Luna
Vocabulario en español.
Best For:
3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade Science
Ejercicio Práctico del Alumno: Fases de la Luna
Ejercicio Práctico del Alumno en español.
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3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade Science
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User Recommendations (showing 5 of 16):
Great interaction to allow students to clearly see and explain why we see the phases of the moon.
Recommended for: Earth/Space ScienceGizmo User from International, unspecified
Great Education
Recommended for: Earth/Space Science, Middle School Life Science, Middle School Physical ScienceGizmo User from Arkansas
awesome way to show what actually happens to the moon
Recommended for: Earth/Space ScienceGizmo User from Virginia
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