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Over the course of this interactive module, you would learn, study, and explore the phases on the Lunar Cycle!

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1. I can list the names of all the moon phases.

2. I can describe the different moon phases in relation to the position of the Earth and Sun.

3. I can create a diagram of the different moon phases.

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Read through the following slides reviewing the phases of the moon. Take any important notes of what you learn.

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Watch this video to get an understanding of why Moon Phases occur and the 8 phases of the Lunar Cycle

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Moon Phases Explained (Animations and Timelapse)

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Before you begin: Which of this statements best represents your current understanding of the Lunar Cycle?

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I've heard of the Lunar Cycle, but don't know much

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I have a good understanding of the Lunar Cycle 

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I could teach others about the Lunar Cycle!

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Use this online moon phase simulator, to observe how the moon's appearance changes over a 29-day period.

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Moon Phases Simulation Viewed from Earth and Space | PBS LearningMedia

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Relate observable Moon patterns to motions within the Earth-Sun-Moon system using this digital model from Astronomy Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Linked Earth and space perspectives enable students to recognize cause-and-effect relationships. They can also visualize the spatial and time scales of phenomena such as the Moon's apparent path in the sky and the Moon's appearance in the day sky and night sky.

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Use this video to learn how you can recreate the phases of the moon using a lamp and a styrofoam ball. We will complete this lab in class!

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Play this interactive game to practice identifying phases of the moon!

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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Maze chase - Run to the correct answer zone, whilst avoiding the enemies.

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Create your own infographic about the Phases of the Moon. Be sure to include:

1. An explanation of why we have moon phases

2. A graphic of the Lunar Cycle

3. All 8 phases in the Lunar Cycle labeled

Don't forget to be creative in your presentation of the information!

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Beginning this week you will observe the moon phase daily and observe what you see in the night sky. Don't forget to include the name of the moon phases you see!

This will take you ALL month to complete. You can complete this in your journal or make a digital journal.

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Match each Moon Phase with its given photo.

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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Match up - Drag and drop each keyword next to its definition.

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Correctly match the moon phase name to its position in the lunar cycle.

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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Labelled diagram - Drag and drop the pins to their correct place on the image.

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Read this article from NASA to learn about our moon, its properties, and about its phases!

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Chances are that when you imagine the night sky, one of the first things that comes to mind is the Moon "glowing" in the darkness. The Moon has always held a special place in our imaginations and in daily life.

It's no wonder that we are fascinated. The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite and one that we can easily see most nights.

What makes the Moon glow?

The Moon does not shine with its own light. It simply reflects light coming from the Sun.

Why does it look like the Moon is changing shape?

From Earth, it might look like the Moon is changing shape each night - from a tiny sliver to a half moon to a full moon and back again. What's actually happening is that from our spot on Earth, we see different parts of the Moon lit up by the Sun as the Moon travels in its orbit.

Is there actually a "dark side" of the Moon?

No. The Moon rotates on its own axis at the same rate that it orbits around Earth. That means we always see the same side of the Moon from our position on Earth. The side we don't see gets just as much light, so a more accurate name for that part of the Moon is the "far side."

How did the Moon form?

Scientists believe that the Moon formed early in the solar system's history after Earth and an object about the size of Mars smashed into each other. The impact sent chunks of Earth and the impactor into space that were pulled together by gravity, creating the Moon.

How do we study the Moon?

Even thousands of years ago, humans drew pictures to track the changes of the Moon. Later, people used their observations of the Moon to create calendars.

Today, we study the Moon using telescopes and spacecraft. For example, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been circling the Moon and sending back measurements since 2009.

The Moon is the only other planetary body that humans have visited. On July 20, 1969, NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first people to set foot on the dusty surface of the Moon. Ten other American astronauts followed. They collected hundreds of pounds of lunar soil and rock samples, conducted experiments and installed equipment for follow-up measurements.

What do we know about the Moon?

Today, we know that the Moon is covered by craters as well as dust and debris from comets, asteroids and meteoroid impacts. We know that the Moon's dark areas, called maria - which is Latin for seas - are not actually seas. Instead, they are craters that lava seeped into billions of years ago. We know that the Moon has almost no atmosphere and only about one-sixth of Earth's gravity. We even know that there is quite a bit of frozen water tucked away in craters near the Moon's poles.

There are still many questions left to answer about the Moon. And the most exciting days of lunar activity may still lie ahead as NASA sends humans on the next missions to the Moon and eventually on to Mars!

For more information visit:
NASA Solar System Exploration

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National Geographic: The Phases of the Moon

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National Geographic: The Phases of the Moon

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Check out this website from National Geographic about the phases of the moon!

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Have you ever looked up at the sky and noticed how the Moon changes shape each night? Ever wondered why... And how?
Well, here's the answer - it doesn't 'change shape' at all! Let's take a look at the phases of the Moon...

Phases of the Moon

The Moon doesn't emit (give off) light itself, the ' moonlight ' we see is actually the Sun's light reflected off the lunar surface.

So, as the Moon orbits the Earth, the Sun lights up different parts of it, making it seem as if the Moon is changing shape. In actual fact, it's just our view of it that's altering...

Zoom in for a closer look!

Changing faces

The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite (a celestial body that orbits a planet). It takes the Moon 27.3 days to make a complete orbit around the Earth, but because the Earth is moving around the sun at the same time, it takes the moon 29.5 days to go through its eight different 'phases' - a lunar month.

Zoom in for a closer look!

Did you know we have a FREE downloadable Phases of the Moon primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

When the Moon appears to be getting bigger, it's ' waxing' and when it looks like it's getting smaller, it's ' waning'. Once the face of the Moon is fully turned towards the Sun, it's a Full Moon, and we see it all. But, as the Moon moves around the Earth, the face pointing towards us gradually becomes hidden from the Sun until we can hardly see it at all - this is a New Moon. Cosmic!

Did you enjoy our phases of the Moon feature? Be sure to check out our ten top facts about the Moon, too!

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The phases of the moon | National Geographic Kids

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Learn all about the phases of the moon here at National Geographic Kids and discover why it appears to change shape each night. How long does it take for the moon to orbit Earth? Why does the moon shine bright at night? What are the names of the different phases of the moon?

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Generation Genius - The moon and its phases

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Generation Genius - The moon and its phases

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Watch this Generation Genius about the Lunar Cycle. It even previews a lab we will do in class!

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Learn abuot what causes the phases of the moon! Our fun science video for kids will teach you about the crescent, quarter, gibbous and full moon. Watch now!