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

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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 fallB winterC springD 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 1B 2C 3D 4

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How do the Sun, Moon, and Earth interact to create different

observable features from the Earth?

Seasons

What causes seasons?

BrainPop VideoWe know that the reason we have day and night is because the Earth rotates.

SeasonsLook 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

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

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

How do tides change from high tide to low tide?

•Two big bulges Two big bulges of water form on of water form on the Earth:the Earth:– one directly one directly

under the moon under the moon – another on the another on the

exact opposite exact opposite sideside

As the Earth spins, the bulges follow the moon.

Gravitational Effect of the Gravitational Effect of the SunSun

• Neap TidesNeap Tides– Earth, Moon, and Sun Earth, Moon, and Sun

form right anglesform right angles– High Tides are lower High Tides are lower

and Low Tides are and Low Tides are higher than normalhigher than normal

• Spring TidesSpring Tides– Earth, Moon, and Sun Earth, Moon, and Sun

are lined upare lined up– High Tides are higher High Tides are higher

and Low Tides are and Low Tides are lower than normallower than normal

Solar Eclipses

• When the Moon’s shadow covers part of the Earth

• Only happens at New Moon

How do Eclipses differ from Phases of the moon?

Here is an animation showing a total solar eclipse

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

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.

Using a diagram of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, how can you determine the phase of the moon?

Phases - CausesWhen 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.

Phases of the moon (Click and scan forward to the moon)

Possible Extensions

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

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