ESS.4.1.2: Use models to explain the repeating pattern of the phases of the moon…

Sun, Earth and Moon Grades 4–5

Why it's breakfast time in Calgary and bedtime in Singapore, why your shadow swings round the stick, why the Moon changes shape and why some places barely have seasons. Students build models with balls and lamps, track real shadows and read real sky data from cities around the world.

• Why does the Moon change shape? 45–60 min, plus 2 minutes a night for two weeks

  Students hold a ball on a stick at arm's length and turn slowly in front of a lamp, and the Moon's phases appear in their own hands. They test the idea that Earth's shadow makes the phases, then start a two-week Moon diary to check the model against the real sky.

Printable practice for ESS.4.1.2

These pages practise a closely related idea; the match to ESS.4.1.2 is partial.

• Sun, Earth and Moon workbook included with the unit

  2 English-support pages, 2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.

• The Reason for the Seasons: Tilt, Daylight and the Solstice workbook included with the unit

  3 practice pages, 3 readings, 2 English-support pages, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.

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