Moontime

Purpose: A month can be determined by observing the phases of the Moon

Objective: To understand that the Moon orbits the Earth once every 28 days.
To understand that the Moon has no light of its own- it reflects light from the Sun and looks lit.

Key Concepts:
The Moon reflects light from the Sun
A month can be determined by observing the Moon

Prior knowledge: We call the changes of the Moon- phases. There are actually 8 phases of the moon. But the major phases are the new moon, the first quarter moon, the full moon, the last quarter moon. During the new moon, the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth and so it does not get any light from the Sun. It is from the new moon that the lunar cycle begins. As the Moon revolves around the Earth, it seems to grow bigger, but it is only a trick. As the Moon revolves around the Earth, it reflects more light. When the Moon is half-lit (after a new moon), it is called a first quarter moon because the Moon has finished one quarter of its revolution around the Earth. As the Moon continues to revolve around the Earth, it reflects even more light and becomes fully lit. This is called a full moon because it is fully lit by the Sun. Now the Moon seems to disappear, as it continues its orbit around the Earth. When the Moon is half-lit again (after a full moon), it is called the last quarter moon because the Moon is finishing the last quarter of its revolution. A new cycle begins.

Glossary:
Phases
Revolution
Orbit
New moon
Last quarter moon
Full moon
First quarter moon

Procedure:
1. Each student will put a stick into a Styrofoam ball.
2. They will turn on the bare bulb lamp on the table.
3. They will hold the ball and stick in front and above their heads.
4. They will work cooperatively and their partner will stand to the right.
5. They will stand where the ball is dark.
6. They will walk around one quarter of table and observe the half-lit ball.
7. They will walk around another quarter of the table and observe the fully lit ball.
8. They will walk around another quarter of the table and observe the half-lit ball.
9. They will walk around another quarter of the table and observe the dark ball again.
10. They will then record their observations on the observation sheet.

Questions to ask:
1. Why do we call it a new moon? A first quarter moon? A full moon? A last quarter moon?
2. Where is the Moon during a new moon?
3. Does the Moon really get bigger and smaller?
4. What do we call the changes of the Moon?

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