This document describes an activity where students model the moon's phases and eclipses using their heads and Styrofoam balls. Students hold "moon balls" and move them in circles around their heads which represent the Earth, with a lamp serving as the Sun. As they rotate the balls, students can observe the moon's changing phases from crescent to full and back again. They also simulate a solar eclipse by placing the ball directly between the lamp and their head/Earth. The goal is for students to understand how the moon's orbit and position relative to the Earth and Sun causes its monthly cycle of phases and solar eclipses.

1. Modeling Moon Phases and Eclipses DSVS Spring 2011 Sixth Grade Lab 2

2. Background Info

6. Does the moon stay still in the sky?

7. No, the moon orbits the earth, just like the earth orbits the sun.

8. Because the moon rotates around the earth, its position in the sky changes continuously.

9. The moon does not provide its own light source; the only reason we can see it is due to sunlight reflecting off the surface of the moon.

10. The moon, like the sun, rises from the eastern horizon and sets towards the western horizon.

11. Each morning, the moon moves closer to the sun

12. As the moon moves closer to the sun, its shape appears thinner

13. The lighted portion of the moon is always on the side facing the sun.

14. What is a solar eclipse?

16. Tides Ever notice that in the ocean, sometimes the water is higher, and sometimes it is very low? This change in water lever is referred to as Tides The moon is responsible for tides. How? Most places in the ocean usually experience two high tides and two low tides each day (but some locations experience only one high and one low tide each day. The times and amplitude of the tides at the coast are influenced by the alignment of the Sun and Moon. The gravitational forces of the moon control tides. Because the moon pulls on the earth with its gravity, and because water is fluid, the water actually moves.

17. Activity In this activity, the students will use a model to explain the moon’s monthly cycle of phases. The students’ head will represent the earth. They hold “moon balls” in their outstretched hands and slowly move them in circles around their heads. With a single lamp, “the sun” lighting up the students “moon” the students are able to observe moon phases and eclipses.

19. Hand out one Styrofoam ball to each student. They can stick the balls on pencils for easy holding if they want.

21. Moon Activity Tell the students to continue moving the moon in a circle until the part they see is fully lit. explain that to do this, they will have to hold the moon ball just above the shadow of their heads. Ask, when the moon is full, is it between you and the sun, or on the opposite side of you from the sun? (it is on the opposite side of you from the sun) Instruct the students to continue moving the moon in the same direction until it is just half full again. Ask, as the moon moves towards the sun, does it appear to get fuller or thinner? Tell them to continue moving their moons until they are very thin crescents. When the moon is very close to the sun we cannot see it in the day or night because the sun is so bright.

23. Tell them to look around and observe the shadows on everyone’s eyes. Remind them that since their head represents the earth, the people who live where their eyes are can see the solar eclipse. But the people who live where their ears, nose, and chin are unable to see the eclipse. They see the sun.