Bellwork

What do you think causes the different phases of the

moon? What do you think happens during a solar

and lunar eclipse? Answer the questions using the sentence frames (5

minutes):

“I think what causes the different phases of the

moon is _________________________.”

“During a solar eclipse, _________________________.”

“During a lunar eclipse, _________________________.”

Moon Phases &

Eclipses8TH GRADE LESSON

Next Generation Science Standard

Objectives:

Content Objective(s)

SWBAT:

Identify the causes of moon

phases.

List the eight phases of the moon.

Observe the moon and its phases

and record the time and date.

Create a model of the phases of

the moon using Oreo cookies.

Distinguish between lunar eclipse

and solar eclipse.

Language Objective(s)SWBAT:

Define phase, eclipse, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, umbra, and penumbra.

Use the S.F. to list the phases of the moon: “The phases of the moon are ________, ________, ________,________, ________, ________,________, ________.”

Answer moon observation questions in complete sentences.

Use the S.F. to differentiate between lunar and solar eclipse: “The difference between a solar and lunar eclipse is ____________.”

Vocabulary:Phase: the different shapes of the moon you see

from Earth.

Eclipse: when an object in space comes between the sun and a third object and casts a shadow on that object.

Solar eclipse: occurs when the moon passes directly between earth and the sun, blocking sunlight from Earth.

Vocabulary:

Lunar eclipse: occurs at a full moon when Earth is directly between the moon and the sun.

Umbra: the darkest part of the moon’s shadow during an eclipse.

Penumbra: the larger part of the shadow during an eclipse.

The Moon

The moon is Earth’s natural satellite.

It takes 29 ½ days, almost a month, for the

moon to revolve around the Earth.

The moon does not produce its own light.

The moon reflects light from the sun.

The amount of time it takes the moon to

revolve around Earth is the same amount

of time the moon rotates on its axis, that is

why we see the same part.

Phases—Causes

Half the moon is always in sunlight.

Since the moon orbits Earth, we see

the moon from different angles.

The phase of the moon depends on

how much of the sunlit side of the

moon faces Earth.

There are eight phases.

Checking for understanding: Using the sentence frames provided answer the following questions/statements:

Why do we only see one side of the moon?

“We only see one side of the moon because___________.”

How long does it take the moon to revolve around Earth?

“It takes ____________ for the moon to revolve around Earth?

Explain how the moon gets its light?

“The moon gets its light by ________________.”

Explain how the moon’s shape (phase) changes.

“The moon’s shape changes because _______________.”

Waxing

means the

light is

getting

bigger from

the right

side.

Waning

means that

the light is

getting

smaller and

is on the left

side of the

moon.

It is on the

right.

It is on the

left.

The lit part is

shaped like

and is less

than half:

The lit part is

shaped like

and is more

than half:

Checking for understanding: Using the sentence frames provided answer the following questions/statements:

What does waning mean?

“Waning means ___________________.”

What does waxing mean?

“Waxing means ___________________.”

What does crescent mean?

“Crescent means _________________.”

What does gibbous mean?

“Gibbous means ________________.”

March

Use a circular

object to trace for

the shape of the

moon.

You we will look at

March calendar

and copy the

different phases of

the moon.

Checking for understanding:

What are the eight phases of the

moon?

“The eight phases of the moon are

_________________, _________________,

_________________, _________________,

_________________, _________________,

_________________, _________________.”

Moon Phases ModelYou will all be working in small groups.

Each group will have 3-4 members.

Each group will get a paper plate and eight Oreos.

Your job is to create a model of the moon phases.

You will use a spoon to carve out the filling of the Oreo.

You must include Earth and Sun.

Be creative.

Moon Observation Assignment:1. Begin to observe the Moon at around 7:00 pm.

2. For each observation, record the date and time.

3. Keep in mind that the moon is round. In the circle, use a pencil or crayon

to shade in the part of the Moon that you can’t see. The part of the circle

that is NOT shaded should look like the moon you see in the sky.

4. If you see the moon during the day, go ahead and record it.

5. If you cannot see the Moon at all on a day, indicate this in your journal

and also write down why you could not see the Moon (example. Weather,

too cloudy, etc.), but predict what it may have looked like if it were visible.

6. We will share when we are done.

7. You have to complete the observation sheet, that is about 28 observation.

Exit card:

@YourNameChoose one sentence starters on top of the

board and tweet about it.#MoonPhasesTurn it in!

Eclipse

Solar Eclipses

During a new moon, the moon lies

between the Earth and the sun.

When the moon passes directly between

Earth and the sun, the moon’s shadow hits

Earth causing a solar eclipse.

Solar Eclipses

Total Solar Eclipse

During a total solar eclipse, the sky grows as dark as night.

Only places in the umbra experiences a total solar eclipse.

You can see the solar corona, which is the outer atmosphere of the sun.

Partial Solar Eclipse

The moon also casts a

shadow that is less dark

called the penumbra.

In the penumbra, part

of the sun is visible.

Places in the penumbra

experiences a partial

solar eclipse.

Solar Eclipses

Total Solar Eclipse Partial Solar Eclipse

Checking for understanding: Describe the interaction of Earth, the moon, and the sun during a

solar eclipse.

During a solar eclipse, the moon is ________________ Earth and the sun.

Describe a total solar eclipse.

During a total solar eclipse, the sky is _________________. The only

places that experience a total solar eclipse are places in

______________.

Describe a partial solar eclipse.

During a partial solar eclipse, the moon casts __________________

called ____________. The only places that experience a partial solar

eclipse are places in __________________.

Lunar eclipses

Occurs at a full moon when Earth is

directly between the moon and the sun.

Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the

moon.

It only occurs during a full moon because

the moon is closes to Earth’s shadow at

that time.

Lunar Eclipses

Total Lunar Eclipse

When the moon is in the Earth’s umbra, you see a total lunar eclipse.

Total lunar eclipse can be seen anywhere on Earth (where the moon is visible).

Partial Lunar Eclipse

During a partial lunar

eclipse, Earth, the

moon, and the sun are

not quite in a line.

Occurs when the moon

passes partly into the

umbra of Earth’s

shadow.

Lunar Eclipses

Total Lunar Eclipse Partial Lunar Eclipse

Checking for understanding: Describe the interaction of Earth, the moon, and the sun during a

lunar eclipse.

“During a lunar eclipse, Earth is ________________ the moon and the

sun.”

Describe a total lunar eclipse.

“During a total lunar eclipse, the ________ is __________in Earth’s

__________. A total lunar eclipse can be seen _______________.”

Describe a partial lunar eclipse.

“During a partial lunar eclipse, __________, _____________, and

_____________ are not _______________. This occurs when the moon

passes _________________.”

Cut out the diagram and

description and paste it

here.

During a solar eclipse, the moon passes

between the Earth and Sun. The moon

casts a shadow on part of the Earth.

During a lunar eclipse, the Earth passes

between the Sun and the Moon. The Earth

casts a shadow on the moon.

Tell the difference:

What is the difference between a solar and a lunar

eclipse? Your answer should be based on the interaction of Earth, the moon, and the

sun. Use the sentence frame:

“The difference between a __________ and a

__________ eclipse is

__________________________________.”

Exit card:

@YourNameChoose one sentence starters on top of the

board and tweet about it.#Eclipses Turn it in!

So did we… identify the causes of moon phases?

list the eight phases of the moon?

start observing the moon and its phases and record the time and date?

create a model of the phases of the moon using Oreo cookies?

distinguish between lunar eclipse and solar eclipse?

define phase, eclipse, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, umbra, and

penumbra?

use the S.F. to list the phases of the moon: “The phases of the moon are

________, ________, ________, ________, ________, ________, ________,

________.”?

use the S.F. to differentiate between lunar and solar eclipse: “The

difference between a solar and lunar eclipse is ____________.”