Phases of the Moon
MICHAEL, MORGAN, & SELAH
Lesson Overview/Objective
Tek 4.8C - collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict
patterns of change in shadows, seasons, and the observable
appearance of the moon over time.
Students will be able to describe the phases of the Moon, explain why
the moon appears to change shape, and model the phases using simple
materials.
Lesson plan will incorporate the heliocentric model and the findings of
Galileo in order to support learning.
Engage – 5 minutes
https://youtu.be/6v-He5wQAvo?si=FRii_1tp0gaOyuk6
^Phases of the moon time lapse
PROBING QUESTIONS:
What did we just watch?
Why does this happen?
Is the moon changing shape?
Have you ever noticed this?
Explore -
Activity: Set up a station with a light
source (e.g., lamp) representing the
Sun, a styrofoam ball on a stick (Moon),
and a central position for the student
(Earth). Students will view the “moon”
at different positions from each other
Observation Task: Draw what they see in
notebooks
Explain
Class discussion on their observations. Introduce terms: new moon, waxing
crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last
quarter, and waning crescent.
Students go back to their drawings from the explore and label them with the
new terms they just learned.
PROBING QUESTIONS
Why do we only see one side of the moon?
What does this tell us about how the sun, moon, and Earth interact with each other
to create the different phases of the moon?
Elaborate
Students will finish drawing moon phases to share with the rest of the groups
Groups realize not all their drawings of the phases are the same
Why do you think each group had different phases? Why do the phases look
different?
Introduce Galileo/heliocentrism
o Historical debates over the interpretation of the moon phases
o Heliocentrism, Sun is at the center of Solar System
Reflects the reality of our solar system accurately
While Earth orbits the Sun, the Moon can also be seen orbitting the Sun
o Geocentrism, Earth is at the center of Solar System
Elaborate Notes Sheet
Evaluate
Exit Ticket: "Explain in your own words why the Moon appears to
change shape throughout the month”. Explain how past research such
as that of Galileo supports your explanation.
Works Cited
Barseghyan, Overgaard, Rupik. Introduction to History and Philosophy
of Science. Creative Commons.
