Earth, sun and moon

I can describe the phases of the moon and explain why they occur.

• Identify and name the phases of the moon

• Explain why the moon appears to change shape

• Relate the moon phases to the positions of the Earth, moon, and sun

• The Earth revolves around the sun

• The moon revolves around the Earth

• The sun is a source of light in our solar system

• The moon has eight phases which repeat in a cycle

• The phases of the moon are caused by its position relative to the Earth and sun

• The moon does not produce its own light; it reflects sunlight

The moon produces its own light

The moon does not produce its own light; it reflects the light from the sun. Emphasize this during the explanation.

The moon's phases are caused by Earth's shadow

The phases are due to the moon's position relative to Earth and sun, not Earth's shadow. Use diagrams to clarify.

The same side of the moon is always dark

The same side faces Earth, but it is illuminated as it rotates. Explain this using models or visual aids.

Phases

Phases are the different shapes of the moon visible from earth

Waxing

Waxing is when the visible part of the moon increases

Waning

Waning is when the visible part of the moon decreases

Crescent

A crescent is a thin, curved shape of the moon

Gibbous

Gibbous is when more than half of the moon is visible

1. What does the Earth revolve around?

    A. Another planet

    B. The moon

    C. The sun

2. What does the moon revolve around?

    A. Mars

    B. The Earth

    C. The sun

3. Where does the sun's light come from?

    A. Itself

    B. The Earth

    C. The moon

4. What is the source of light in our solar system?

    A. The Earth

    B. The moon

    C. The sun

5. What shape is the cycle of the moon's phases?

    A. A random pattern

    B. A repeating cycle

    C. A straight line

6. How many phases does the moon have?

    A. Eight

    B. Four

    C. Twelve

Identifying and naming the moon's phases

Explanation

Teacher explanation

• Introduce the concept of the moon having different phases as it orbits the Earth.

• Explain that the phases are the different shapes of the moon we see from Earth.

• Show images of the eight phases: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent.

• Discuss the concept of a lunar cycle, which lasts about 29.5 days.

• Use a visual aid like a moon phase chart to help pupils visualise the sequence.

• Encourage pupils to name each phase as you point to it on the chart.

Accompanying slide details

A chart displaying the eight phases of the moon in sequence.

Image search suggestion

moon phases chart

Slide text

The moon has eight phases that repeat in a cycle: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent.

Check for understanding

1. What phase comes after the new moon?

    A. First quarter

    B. Full moon

    C. Waxing crescent

2. How many phases are in the lunar cycle?

    A. Eight

    B. Four

    C. Six

Practice

Use a worksheet with images of the moon's phases. Label each phase correctly, using the phase names learned during the explanation. Discuss with a partner to ensure understanding.

Feedback

Model answer: 1. New moon, 2. Waxing crescent, 3. First quarter, 4. Waxing gibbous, 5. Full moon, 6. Waning gibbous, 7. Last quarter, 8. Waning crescent. Check your labels against this model.

Explaining why the moon appears to change shape

Explanation

Teacher explanation

• Explain that the moon does not change shape; it just appears to because of its position relative to Earth and the sun.

• Use a model with a light source (the sun), a globe (Earth), and a smaller ball (the moon) to demonstrate how different parts of the moon are illuminated.

• Show how the moon's position in its orbit affects the amount of sunlight it reflects towards Earth, creating different phases.

• Clarify that the moon is always half-lit by the sun, but we see varying amounts of this lit portion.

• Discuss the terms 'waxing' and 'waning' to describe the increasing and decreasing visibility of the moon.

• Reiterate that Earth's shadow is not responsible for the phases.

Accompanying slide details

A diagram showing the Earth, moon, and sun with arrows indicating the direction of light and moon phases.

Image search suggestion

moon phases Earth sun diagram

Slide text

The moon's phases are due to its position relative to Earth and the sun, not Earth's shadow.

Check for understanding

1. Why does the moon appear to change shape?

    A. Earth's shadow

    B. Its position relative to Earth and the sun

    C. The sun spinning

2. What does 'waxing' mean for the moon?

    A. The moon moves away

    B. The visible part decreases

    C. The visible part increases

Practice

Draw a diagram showing the moon's orbit around Earth. Label the positions for each phase, indicating where the moon is waxing and waning. Discuss the diagram with a partner to ensure understanding.

Feedback

Model answer: The moon's orbit shows its phases as it moves around Earth. Waxing phases occur when the visible part increases, and waning phases occur when it decreases.

Relating moon phases to the positions of Earth, moon, and sun

Explanation

Teacher explanation

• Introduce the concept of the moon's orbit around Earth and how this affects the phases we observe.

• Explain that the moon's orbit is slightly tilted relative to Earth's orbit around the sun.

• Show how the alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun affects the visibility of the moon's phases.

• Use a diagram to illustrate the positions of Earth, moon, and sun during key phases such as new moon, full moon, and quarters.

• Discuss how the positions change over the lunar month, affecting the moon's appearance.

• Emphasize that the same side of the moon always faces Earth.

Accompanying slide details

A diagram illustrating the positions of Earth, moon, and sun during different moon phases.

Image search suggestion

Earth moon sun alignment diagram

Slide text

Moon phases are determined by the positions of the Earth, moon, and sun in relation to each other.

Check for understanding

1. What determines the phases of the moon?

    A. The positions of Earth, moon, and sun

    B. The size of the moon

    C. The temperature of the sun

2. Why does the same side of the moon always face Earth?

    A. Earth's shadow

    B. The moon rotates once per orbit

    C. The sun's gravity

Practice

Create a 3D model using a lamp to represent the sun, a ball for the moon, and a globe for Earth. Demonstrate how the moon's phases change with its position. Present your model to the class.

Feedback

Success criteria: Model should accurately show the moon's phases and how they relate to the positions of the Earth, moon, and sun. Ensure the same side of the moon faces Earth in all phases.

1. What causes the different phases of the moon?

    A. Earth's shadow

    B. Its position relative to Earth and the sun

    C. The sun's temperature

2. What is waxing in relation to the moon?

    A. The moon moves away

    B. The visible part decreases

    C. The visible part increases

3. How many phases does the moon have in its cycle?

    A. Eight

    B. Four

    C. Ten

4. Why does the same side of the moon always face Earth?

    A. Earth's gravity

    B. The moon rotates once per orbit

    C. The sun's pull

5. What is the shape of the moon during a crescent phase?

    A. Full circle

    B. Straight line

    C. Thin, curved shape

6. What do we observe during a full moon?

    A. Half of the moon

    B. The dark side of the moon

    C. The entire lit side of the moon