Moonlight of the Night

Purpose: To observe the phases of the Moon

Materials

• computer with Internet access
• construction paper or poster board
• markers
• colored pencils

 

Teacher Prep

• Depending upon the size of your class, assign each student one to three days to observe the Moon during a 29-day period. Place the students’ names on a class calendar so that a reminder can be made each day.
• This activity can be started anytime but may work best if begun on a full Moon.
• Because the Moon can sometimes be seen during the day and night, you will need to determine the time of Moonrise and Moonset for your area. To find out this information, you can either visit the U.S. Naval Observatory at http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.html or locate the times in your local newspaper.
• Students can decide whether to make a student (individual) or class (group) journal that describes the phases of the Moon for the 29-day period. If a student journal is created, three copies of the Moon Phase Journal Sheet will be needed for each student. If a class journal is created, you will only need one set (3 copies).

Procedure

1. On your assigned day(s), determine the time of Moonrise and Moonset.
2. While the Moon is overhead, observe the portion of the Moon that is lit and the portion that is dark.
3. Shade in your Moon circle to illustrate what you see. If it is cloudy and you cannot see the Moon, draw clouds over your Moon circle.
4. Record the time and date, the weather conditions, and so on, as indicated on the chart.
5. Share the information with the class and shade in the Moon on the Moon Journal Sheet for your assigned day.
6. At the end of the 29-day period, discuss what happened to the Moon and how the phases were created.

   Moonlight Circle Sheet

Moon Circle
Date and Time: ________________________
Side of the Moon that is lit: _______________
Phase of the Moon Observed: _____________
Weather Conditions: ____________________
Additional Comments: ___________________

Moon Circle
Date and Time: ________________________
Side of the Moon that is lit: _______________
Phase of the Moon Observed: _____________
Weather Conditions: ____________________
Additional Comments: ___________________

Moon Circle
Date and Time: _________________________
Side of the Moon that is lit: _______________
Phase of the Moon Observed: _____________
Weather Conditions: ____________________
Additional Comments: ___________________

 

Moon Journal Sheet

Conclusion

1. After a full Moon, what happened? Why?
2. After a new Moon, what happened? Why?
3. What does waxing mean? Waning?