Lesson 1: The Moon's shapes
Grades K–2 · about 15 minutes · NGSS 1-ESS1-1. By the end: I can name the Moon's shapes and say that the Moon's shape changes in a pattern every month.
Learn
- The Moon doesn't make its own light. The Sun shines on it, and we see the sunny side.
- As the Moon goes around Earth, we see more of its sunny side, then less. That's why it seems to change shape.
- The shapes come in the same order every month: new, crescent, quarter, gibbous, full, and back again. It takes about 29 and a half days.
Try it
In a dark room, hold a ball at arm's length near a lamp and turn slowly in a circle. Watch the light on the ball grow from a thin slice to round and back.
Quiz: five questions
Four right is a pass. Peabody reads every question; tap a box.
Peabody is getting the questions ready…
Tonight's task
Look for the Moon on three nights this week (or in the morning). Draw its shape each time.
🌙 Night task: The Moon's shapes
Look for the Moon on three nights this week (or in the morning). Draw its shape each time.
A grown-up comes too. Never look at the Sun.
Night 1: draw the Moon
Night 2: draw the Moon
Night 3: draw the Moon
Is it getting bigger or smaller?
Date: ____________ Clear? ☐ yes ☐ some clouds ☐ cloudy
“Owls are supposed to be wise. Mostly we just stay up late and look at things.”