1. Teacher Notes
Globes and light sources should be used to have students model seasons, phases of the moon, and eclipses.
Recommended Strategy - The four part activity in the student packet may be completed as a Gallery Walk

2. 1. Caleb’s class is studying the Earth/Sun/Moon system
1. Caleb’s class is studying the Earth/Sun/Moon system. He studies the diagram of Earth and the sun shown below.
Which season is the northern hemisphere experiencing when Earth and sun are in these positions?
A fall
B winter
C spring
D summer   
2. Maxine’s class is studying the Earth/Sun/Moon system. She studies the illustration of the moon, sun, and Earth shown below.
At which stage is a solar eclipse possible?
A 1
B 2
C 3
D 4

3. How do the Sun, Moon, and Earth interact to create different observable features from the Earth?

4. Seasons

5. What causes seasons? BrainPop Video
We know that the reason we have day and night is because the Earth
rotates.

6. Seasons
Look at this diagram. Notice how the Earth is always tilted in the same direction. As the Earth , the part of Earth tilted toward the sun changes.
revolves

7. During what seasons is the North Pole tiled towards the sun? Why?
summer

8. During what seasons it the North Pole pointing away from the sun
During what seasons it the North Pole pointing away from the sun? Explain.
winter

9. How do tides change from high tide to low tide?
Two big bulges of water form on the Earth:
one directly under the moon
another on the exact opposite side
As the Earth spins, the bulges follow the moon.

10. Gravitational Effect of the Sun
Neap Tides
Earth, Moon, and Sun form right angles
High Tides are lower and Low Tides are higher than normal
Spring Tides
Earth, Moon, and Sun are lined up
High Tides are higher and Low Tides are lower than normal

11. Solar Eclipses How do Eclipses differ from Phases of the moon?
When the Moon’s shadow covers part of the Earth
Only happens at New Moon
Diagram from Fred Espenak, may be found along with lots of good information at

12. Here is an animation showing a total solar eclipse

14. This is an animation showing a total lunar eclipse from start to finish.

15. Using a diagram of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, how can you determine the phase of the moon?
The moon looks different throughout the month. Sketch a diagram of the Earth, Moon, and Sun that demonstrates how these phases occur. Next, we will test these diagrams.
Images from
In some states, young elementary students may be required in their science standards to observe the changing patterns in the Moon’s appearance. Making observations part of the classroom assignments is a fundamental part of this; the students can bring in drawings of the Moon’s appearance on paper or on paper plates, and they can be placed on the wall over a period of 1-2 months. Students can also make phases out of Oreo cookies.

16. Phases - Causes
When the sunlight reflects off the Moon’s far side, we call it a New Moon
When the sunlight reflects off on the Moon’s near side, we call it a Full Moon
Between New and Full, we see parts of the daytime side of the Moon.
It is not appropriate for very young students to try to master the reason for phases; they often do not have the ability to imagine the three-dimensional nature of this. Many adults have fundamental misconceptions regarding the reason for the Moon’s phases.
We conduct an activity with golfballs and blacklights in our workshop here, allowing participants to see “phases”.

17. From http://starchild. gsfc. nasa
Full Moon rises as the Sun sets.
The Full Moon is in mid-sky at Midnight.
Full Moon sets as the Sun rises.
Full Moon cannot be seen during the day.

18. Phases of the moon (Click and scan forward to the moon)
Also from StarChild:

19. Possible Extensions Gizmos – 2D Eclipse or 3D Eclipse
Phases of the Moon
Seasons: Why do we have Them?
Tides