Transcript Teacher Notes • Globes and light sources should be used to have students model seasons, phases of the moon, and eclipses. • Recommended Strategy.

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 fall
B winter
C spring
D 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?
A1
B2
C3
D4
How do the Sun, Moon, and
Earth interact to create different
observable features from the
Earth?
3
Seasons
What causes
seasons?
BrainPop Video
We know that the reason we have day and night is
because the Earth rotates.
Seasons
Look at this diagram. Notice how the Earth is always tilted
in the same direction. As the Earth revolves , the part of
Earth tilted toward the sun changes.
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 of
water form on the
Earth:
–one directly under
the moon
–another on the
exact opposite side
As the Earth spins, the
bulges follow the moon.
Gravitational Effect of the Sun
• Neap Tides
– Earth, Moon, and Sun
form right angles
– High Tides are lower and
Low Tides are higher
than normal
• Spring Tides
– Earth, Moon, and Sun
are lined up
– High Tides are higher
and Low Tides are lower
than normal
Solar Eclipses
How do Eclipses differ from Phases of the moon?
• When the Moon’s shadow covers part of the Earth
• Only happens at New 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.
Using a diagram of the Earth, Moon,
and Sun, how can you determine the
phase of the moon?
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.
Phases - Causes
When 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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