Lunar Phases Part 2: Waxing vs Waning and Shifting Perspectives

Rationale:
In this visual 2-day lesson, students are challenged to determine what the moon would look like both from our perspective on earth, and also out in space, with a constantly shifting sun.

First, students pick apart the words waxing and waning and learn some tricks from the earthly perspective, and practice identifying the moons. Then, they broaden their fields and imagine they are in outer space, watching the moon move and "look" at where the illumination hits now.

With step by step directions, and think-alouds, students by the end of these two + class periods can not only tell you where all the phases are, but have logical strategies on determining where the sun is, and where to start placing each moon on its cycle.


Time: 2-3 hours

Objective: I will be able to identify waxing and waning gibbous and crescents, first and third quarter moons, and full and new moons from outer space and from earth's perspective, wherever the sun is placed.

Vocabulary: waxing, waning, crescent, gibbous, new moon, first quarter, third quarter, lunar cycle, perspective


Agenda
Day 1:
Do Now
Spiral Moon Review (trade & grade)
Modeling/Guided Practice
Defining Waxing & Waning
What do these terms have to do with the lunar phases?
Sorting Waxing & Waning Moons
Why don't we name 1st and 3rd quarters waxing or waning?
(w)rapping it up!
Independent Practice 1 - 4 : Drag or Draw & Name the Moons

Day 2:
Metacognate: What if I change my perspective to outer space?
What if I change where the sun's location is?
Modeling, Guided & Indepenent Practice
Find the sun!
Back to earth's perspective: now what happens if I switch the sun?
What changes and stays the same?
Helpful Clues, Strategies & Patterns
Guided & Independent Practice
Website Games
Mastery Check
Homework
Extension