1. Observing, Describing, and Illustrating a Repeating Pattern
The Changing Moon
Observing, Describing, and Illustrating a Repeating Pattern

2. The Moon
The Moon is essentially round, but it is a lot smaller than the Earth.

3. The Moon
The Moon travels around the Earth. It goes around about once every 28 days.
We only see the part of the Moon that is lit by the Sun. So, sometimes we see the whole Moon and sometimes we only see part of the Moon.

4. The phases are a repeated pattern.
There are 4 basic moon phases, or shapes, that we see during the month:
New
First Quarter
Full
Third Quarter
The phases are a repeated pattern.

5. The Moon
The revolution of the Moon around the Earth makes the Moon appear as if it is changing shape in the sky.

6. The Moon
From Earth, we see the Moon grow from a thin crescent to a full circle (or full moon) and then shrink back to a thin crescent again before vanishing for a few days.
The Moon doesn’t really “vanish”- it just looks as though it is not there.

7. The Moon
The phases, or shapes, follow a specific sequence as the Moon orbits, or travels around, the Earth one time.

8. Observing, Describing, and Illustrating the Moon
We can look into the night sky and see the Moon.
We do not need a telescope or any other science tool to see the Moon.

9. Observing, Describing, and Illustrating the Moon
We can sometimes see the Moon during the day.

10. Observing, Describing, and Illustrating the Moon
The lit part of the Moon always points the way to the Sun.
Sun
Moon

11. Observing, Describing, and Illustrating the Moon
What do you see?
How would you describe what you observe in this picture?
Talk with your partner, and then we’ll share.
This is the new moon. When the sky has a new Moon it is very dark outside.

12. Observing, Describing, and Illustrating the Moon
What do you see?
How would you describe what you observe in this picture?
Talk with your partner, and then we’ll share.
This is the first quarter Moon. Half the Moon is reflecting light from the Sun.

13. Observing, Describing, and Illustrating the Moon
What do you see?
How would you describe what you observe in this picture?
Talk with your partner, and then we’ll share.
This is the full Moon. The night sky is bright when there is a full Moon.

14. Observing, Describing, and Illustrating the Moon
What do you see?
How would you describe what you observe in this picture?
Talk with your partner, and then we’ll share.
This is a (waning) crescent Moon. It is shaped a little like a banana in the sky. There are two crescent Moons in the repeating pattern each month.

15. Illustrating the Moon
Now, we will practice drawing the different shapes, or moon phases, that we see in the sky.