Objective – Students will understand that the appearance of the Moon changes in a predictable cycle as it orbits
Earth and as Earth rotates on its axis.
Phases of the Moon Lecture Questions
1. If you look at the Moon each night, you’ll notice its appearance changes.
a. It gets larger then smaller.
b. The Moon revolves around the Earth.
2. As the Moon revolves around the Earth, different parts of the Moon are in sunlight.
a. This causes the phases of the Moon.
3. There are eight phases of the Moon you should know.
4. Define waxing – The Moon appears to be getting larger (sunlight is on the right side of the Moon).
5. Define gibbous – Between half and full.
6. Define waning – The Moon appears to be getting smaller (sunlight is on the left side of the Moon).
Eight Key Moon Phases Moon
New Moon
Waxing Crescent
First Quarter
Gibbous Waxing
Full Moon
Gibbous Waning
Last Quarter
Waning Crescent
Objective – Students will understand that the appearance of the Moon changes in a predictable cycle as it orbits
Earth and as Earth rotates on its axis.