Summary Model why we see the phases of the Moon Science content Earth/Space: Sun, Moon, Solar System, Universe (1, 4, 6) Science competencies (+ questioning + manipulation + others that are in every activity) Planning/conducting: planning investigations (3 up) Processing/analyzing: classifying data, finding patterns (1 up) Evaluating: inferring (3 up) Lessons activity is in The Moon Materials foam ball ~3cm diameter (the 'moon'). (Note a ping pong ball does not work as it is hollow and the light shines through it.) stand for foam ball e.g. large black o-ring small bright flashlight (the 'Sun') circle of dark cloth, about 40cm diameter (fits on a student desk) Procedure Lower the room lights, so the classroom is dim. This activity works best with student pairs. Lay the circle of dark cloth on a desk, leaving space for one student's chin to rest on the desk in front of it. They will stay there and observe the Moon phases. The other student manipulates the materials: Place the foam ball 'Moon' on its stand at the edge of the cloth. Place the flashlight at the centre of the cloth, shining on the 'Moon'. The observing student should see that the Moon is bright where the flashlight hits it and reflects off to their eyes, and in shadow where the 'sunlight' does not reach their eyes. The bright part will be a classic Moon shape: a crescent, half, nearly full or full Moon. Or it could be in total shadow if the Moon is nearest to the student with their chin on the desk. The student manipulating the materials moves the Moon to all points around the edge of the cloth (rotating the sun to follow it), so that the student observing sees all the phases of the Moon. It is important that the observer keeps their chin in the same place. Then switch roles: the other student puts their chin on the desk and looks at the Moon phases through its 'orbit', while the second student manipulates the Moon and keeps the Sun shining towards it. Note the real Sun is shining light in all directions, but the flashlight has to be turned around to model this. Grades taught Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 4 Gr 5
