Moon Phases

CONCEPTUAL

Science›Space Exploration|Ages 5—7|ID: mt_ByXgbTld6R

Observe and describe the Moon's changing shape over about a month, recognising that it goes through a repeating cycle of phases from new moon (invisible) to full moon (complete circle) and back again

Mastery Evidence

Describe that the Moon appears to change shape over about a month
Name or draw at least three phases: new moon (dark), half moon, and full moon
State that the pattern repeats — the Moon goes through the same shapes again and again

Assessment Prompt

“If you asked [child] to look at the Moon several nights in a row, could they notice that it changes shape and describe the pattern?”

Prerequisites1

Sun, Moon & Stars
hardAges 5—7

Show full prerequisite tree

Sun, Moon & Stars hard
Must know the Moon is a sky object before observing its phases
- Why seasons change soft
  Curriculum daylight/seasons observation supports exploratory Sun/Moon/stars identification
  - Naming the Planets soft
    Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary
  - Seasonal changes soft
    Seasonal changes observation supports daylight pattern recognition
    - Days, Weeks, Months & Years soft
      Observing and describing seasonal changes requires basic date and time vocabulary (months, seasons, year)
      - Ordering Events in Time hard
        Understanding days/months/years builds on sequencing events chronologically

Unlocks1

The Moon's Orbit
hardAges 7—9