Michael Lamb

Lesson Plan Introduction

Topic: Phases of the Moon Length of Lesson (estimated): VA Standards of Learning: 3.8 The student will investigate and understand basic patterns and cycles occurring in nature. Key concepts include a) patterns of natural events such as day and night, seasonal changes, simple phases of the moon, and tides; b) animal life cycles; and c) plant life cycles. Cognitive Objectives Students will: explain how some events in nature occur in a pattern or cycle, such as phases of the moon; observe, chart, and illustrate phases of the moon and describe the changing pattern of the moon as it revolves around Earth. Assessment Formative Listen for correct use of terms (rotation, orbit, waning gibbous, waning crescent, waxing gibbous, waxing crescent, first quarter, last quarter, new moon, full moon) Observe the students working in groups and note signs of understanding, teamwork, and concept understanding Summative None Teaching and Learning Sequence Introduction/Anticipatory Set

The moon generates no light of its own. It shines because it reflects the light coming from the sun. Though it does not always appear so from Earth, half of the moon is always illuminated; that is, the sun always shines on one side of the moon, while the other side in darkness. However, as the moon orbits (revolves around) Earth, its position in relation to the Earth and the sun changes, and more or less of the illuminated side can be seen from Earth. These different views of the illuminated portions of the moon are called phases of the moon. When the moon is directly between the sun and the Earth, the side of the moon facing Earth is in darkness, and therefore the moon is not visible in the sky. The intensity of the sun is so great that the moon is visibly lost in the suns glare. This phase is called a new moon. As the moon continues to move in its orbit around the Earth, a sliver of the illuminated side of the moon becomes visible. This phase is called the waxing crescent. (To wax is to increase.) When the moon has completed one quarter of its orbit around the Earth, it makes a right angle with the Earth and the sun. One side of the moon is still illuminated by the sun, and the other side is still in darkness. From Earth, however, the moon now appears to be a half circle. This phase is called the first quarter. As the moon continues in its orbit, the portion of the illuminated side of the moon visible from Earth continues to increase. When the moon appears to be more than a half moon but less than a full moon, it is called a gibbous moon. At this point in its orbit, the moon appears to be growing, so this phase is called a waxing gibbous. When the moon has completed one half of its orbit around the Earth, it is almost in a straight line with the Earth and the sun. The entire side of the moon that faces Earth is illuminated. This phase

Michael Lamb

is called a full moon.

The darkened side of the moon begins to reappear to observers after the full moon. This phase is called a waning gibbous. (To wane is to decrease.) The moon is described as waning when it appears to grow smaller. When the moon has completed three-quarters of its orbit around the Earth, it again makes a right angle with the Earth and the sun. This phase is called the third quarter or last quarter. As the moon continues in its orbit, it appears as a crescent shape once again. Since it appears to grow smaller, this phase is called a waning crescent. The darkened area continues to grow larger until no portion of the illuminated moon can be seen. The moon has returned to the new moon phase.

Ask the students what the phases of the moon are and why does the moon have phases.

Lesson Development Model the upcoming activity by inserting the craft stick into the Styrofoam ball and holding it outstretched in your left hand. Select 4 students. One to turn out the classroom lights, two to close the blinds, and one to hold the lamp. (let the students know that your head is the Earth, the ball is the moon, and the light is the sun.

Ask the students to describe their observations of the ball as you rotate slowly away from the sun. Ask what phase of the moon that they think that may be.

Have a class discussion about any questions that arise during the activity, leading to understanding of the following concepts o o o The moon does not produce its own light; it reflects light from the sun Half of the moon, the half facing the sun, is illuminated at any given time We can only see half of the moons surface at any given time, the half that is facing the Earth. o Depending on the relative position of the earth, sun, and moon, only part of the illuminated moons surface may be facing the earth, so we see the phases of the moon o In groups of 3, have the students illustrate and label the phases of the moon as it orbits around the earth

Closure

Ask if the moon is full, it will rise as the sun (sets in the West) Ask, if the moon is between the earth and the sun, its phase will be (new) Ask how the relationship of the earth, moon, and sun cause the moon to appear in phases (the

Michael Lamb

illuminated portion of the moon that we see from earth depends on the relative position of the earth, moon, and sun) Homework (If applicable) None Materials/Technology and Advanced Preparation Styrofoam ball (size of racquet ball) and craft stick for each student Lamp with bright light bulb (100 watts) A room that can be darkened

References Bass, J. et all, Activities for Teaching Science as Inquiry, Allyn & Bacon (2007), Pages A-257 A-258. Phases of the Moon, Enhanced Scope and Sequence, P. 154 retreived from

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/science/index.shtml November 28, 2011

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