WATCHING THE MOONPART ONE

OUR SOLAR SYSTEM, TESLA SCIENCE NOTEBOOKS

BIG IDEA:A system is an organized group of related objects that form a whole. Our solar system is a group of planets, and other celestial objects that orbit the sun.

Can you help Frankie find out why the Moon was showing up framed in his window at different times and in different shapes? Read the Moon Tricks story to gather more clues.

How can we… find out why the moon shows up at different times and in different shapes?

FOCUS QUESTION:• What is the problem we need to solve?

After reading Moon Tricks, how many of you feel like this story is missing an ending? Let’s see if we can help Frankie solve his problem and develop an ending for his story.

ASSESSING OUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:• What do we already know about the moon that

might help us solve our problem?

As a group I want you to discuss and share your ideas. Your thoughts may not agree with everyone else, but scientists need to be open to all possibilities.

Our Best Thinking Until Now:

• Clouds cover the Moon and cause it to change shape.• The moon changes shape through the night. It comes up full and is just a

sliver when it sets.• The moon comes up at different times, you can even see it during the day.

Let’s develop a list of our ideas so we can support or disprove them with evidence.

I think that the moon will or will not show up at different times and in different shapes because…

PREDICTION:

Using your own prior knowledge, or an idea the was shared in the class, we need to write a prediction for what we think could be the best answer to our focus question.

How will we know if the moon really does show up at different times and in different shapes?

We need to collect data!Today we are going to begin observing the moon every day for one month. Your task is to be on the lookout for the moon. We need to know when you see the moon (time) and what it looks like (shape). Our observations should help us determine if and how the moon’s shape changes over time.

How good scientists keep accurate records:• Collect data over time and look for patterns• Make notes and detailed drawings so the data is as accurate as possible.• Scientists do not go back and change their data… They might add new information• Scientists keep track of where their data comes from… My direct observation or other

peoples data.

OUR MOON OBSERVATIONS:

Making a Moon Observation:• Record the date and time

• Use yellow and black to show the shape of the moon. (BE ACCURATE)

• Write NV (not visible) if you did not see the moon at all that day

• Add a section in your notebook for daily written observation notes

11/8

November 2011

7:30pm

11/9

NV

OUR MOON OBSERVATIONS:

As we collect observations throughout the month:• What ideas can we remove from our original list?• Do we have new ideas to add?• Can you model possibilities for why, or how, the moon’s appearance is

changing?

11/8

November 2011

Begin Part Two after you have collected a months worth of data.