Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to identify and explain the different phases of the moon.

Materials and Prep

• A notebook or paper
• A pencil or pen
• A clear view of the night sky

No prior knowledge is required for this lesson.

Activities

1. Observing the Moon

Go outside on a clear night and observe the moon. Take note of its shape and appearance. Draw a diagram or sketch of what you see in your notebook.

2. Moon Phase Chart

Create a moon phase chart in your notebook. Divide a page into eight equal sections. Label each section with the corresponding phase of the moon (New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent).

3. Matching Game

Create flashcards with the names of the moon phases on one side and their corresponding images on the other side. Shuffle the flashcards and try to match each phase with its correct image. Repeat until you can correctly match all the cards.

Seventh Grade Talking Points

• "The moon goes through different phases as it orbits around the Earth."
• "The moon's phases are caused by the positions of the moon, Earth, and the sun."
• "A new moon occurs when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, so we can't see it from Earth."
• "A full moon occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun, and it appears as a complete circle."
• "During the waxing phases, the amount of the moon we see increases, while during the waning phases, the amount of the moon we see decreases."
• "The first quarter and third quarter moons appear as half-circles in the sky."
• "The moon's phases repeat in a cycle that takes about 29.5 days."
• "The moon doesn't emit light of its own, it only reflects the sun's light."