Our Moon
Our Moon
Objectives
In this unit, students will study how we use technology to learn about the Moon, compare the characteristics of the Moon to Earth, and explore patterns shown by the Moon (i.e., tides, Moon phases, and lunar eclipses). Students will:
- identify tools that have been used to study the Moon.
- compare the properties and conditions of the Earth to the Moon.
- explain the effects of gravity on the motion of the Moon and Earth in relation to each other and to the Sun.
- describe the patterns shown in tides, Moon phases, and lunar eclipses.
- observe and record the Moon’s phases.
Essential Questions
Related Unit and Lesson Plans
Related Materials & Resources
The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.
- Moon Journal Performance Assessment (see S-7-9_Moon Journal in the Resources folder)
- NASA (for educators of grades 5–8)
www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/5-8/index.html
- Lunar Colonization: Energy and Power
www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/HEP_Lunar.html
- NASA (for students in grades 5–8)
Formative Assessment
-
View
Multiple-Choice Items:
1. Which phase must the Moon be in during a lunar eclipse?
A
New moon
B
Full moon
C
First quarter moon
D
Third quarter moon
2. What is one function of the lenses in a telescope?
A
Collect and focus light
B
Record video of events in space
C
Take photographs of distant objects
D
Calculate the distance to objects in space
3. Which statement best describes the relationship between the Earth and the Moon?
A
The Moon orbits the Earth once every 27.3 days.
B
The Moon orbits the Earth once every 365 1/4 days.
C
The Earth orbits the Moon once every 27.3 days.
D
The Earth orbits the Moon once every 365 1/4 days.
4. Which is a result of the Moon’s force of gravity on Earth?
A
Pattern of Earth’s ocean tides
B
Length of Earth’s days and nights
C
Variation in Earth’s air temperatures
D
Earth’s period of revolution around the Sun
5. How would your weight on the Moon compare to your weight on Earth?
A
You would weigh about 1/6 as much on the Moon.
B
You would weigh about 1/10 as much on the Moon.
C
You would weigh about 6 times as much on the Moon.
D
You would weigh about 10 times as much on the Moon.
6. Which two motions are completed in about the same amount of time?
A
The Earth’s rotation on its axis and the Earth’s revolution around the Sun
B
The Moon’s revolution around the Earth and the Earth’s rotation on its axis
C
The Earth’s revolution around the Sun and the Moon’s rotation on its axis
D
The Moon’s rotation on its axis and the Moon’s revolution around the Earth
7. Which Moon phase comes next after the phases shown below?
A
B
C
D
8. What is the approximate length of time from the new moon to the full moon?
A
One day
B
One week
C
Two weeks
D
One month
9. Based on the pattern shown in the data table below, what would you expect the high tide level to be at 4:50 a.m. on 8/4/11?
Tidal Data for Dewey Beach, DE–Atlantic Ocean
Time
Height (ft.)
Time
Height (ft.)
Time
Height (ft.)
Time
Height (ft.)
8/1/10
2:30 a.m.
LOW
0.9
9:00 a.m.
HIGH
7.4
3:00 p.m.
LOW
0.8
9:09 p.m.
HIGH
6.9
8/2/10
3:16 a.m.
LOW
0.7
9:47 a.m.
HIGH
6.8
3:59
p.m.
LOW
0.6
10:08 p.m.
HIGH
6.2
8/3/10
4:02 a.m.
LOW
0.6
10:35 a.m.
HIGH
6.6
4:45
p.m.
LOW
0.4
11:00 p.m.
HIGH
5.9
8/4/10
4:50 a.m.
LOW
0.5
11:25 a.m.
HIGH
?
5:35
p.m.
LOW
0.2
11:47 p.m.
HIGH
5.5
A
6.4 feet
B
6.6 feet
C
6.8 feet
D
7.0 feet
10. What is one thing astronauts studied during the NASA’s Apollo missions?
A
The distance between the Earth and the Sun
B
The locations of lakes and oceans on the Moon
C
The types of rocks and minerals found on the Moon
D
The length of time it takes for the Moon to orbit the Earth
Multiple-Choice Answer Key:
1. B
2. A
3. A
4. A
5. A
6. D
7. D
8. C
9. A
10. C
Short-Answer Items:
11. Why do we see different phases of the Moon? Draw a diagram to explain why we see a full moon. Label the Earth, Moon, and Sun in your diagram.
12. Compare the following characteristics of the Earth and the Moon: gravity, atmosphere, surface features.
13. Explain what causes a lunar eclipse. Draw and label a diagram to show the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth during a lunar eclipse.
14. Describe three ways humans have used telescopes to study the Moon.
Short-Answer Scoring Rubrics:
11. Why do we see different phases of the Moon? Draw a diagram to explain why we see a full moon. Label the Earth, Moon, and Sun in your diagram.
Points
Description
2
- Student explains that the Moon orbits the Earth about every 27.3 days (about every 28 days).
- Student explains how the Moon’s phases depend on the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
- Diagram accurately shows the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during a full moon (i.e., Earth is between the Sun and the Moon).
1
- Student explains that the Moon orbits the Earth.
- Student states that the Moon’s phases depend on the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
- Diagram accurately shows the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during a full moon (i.e., Earth is between the Sun and the Moon).
0
- Student does not explain why we see phases of the Moon.
- Student does not include the Sun in the explanation.
- Diagram is not correctly drawn or labeled.
12. Compare the following characteristics of the Earth and the Moon: gravity, atmosphere, surface features.
Points
Description
2
- Student states that the force of gravity on the Earth is about six times as strong as on the Moon.
- Student explains that Earth’s atmosphere contains air for us to breathe, and is made up of mostly nitrogen and oxygen, and states that the Moon does not have an atmosphere.
- Student describes several surface features of the Earth (e.g., mostly water, with rocks, soil, mountains, and valleys) and the Moon (e.g., rocky surface with many craters; hotter and colder temperatures than on Earth).
1
- Student states that there is a stronger force of gravity on the Earth than on the Moon.
- Student explains that Earth’s atmosphere contains air or oxygen for us to breathe, but does not state that the Moon does not have an atmosphere.
- Student describes one or two surface features of the Earth (e.g., mostly water with rocks, soil, mountains, and valleys) and the Moon (e.g., rocky surface with many craters; hotter and colder temperatures than on Earth).
0
- Student does not state that there is a stronger force of gravity on the Earth than on the Moon.
- Student does not compare the atmosphere of the Earth and the Moon.
- Student does not correctly describe any surface features of the Earth or the Moon.
13. Explain what causes a lunar eclipse. Draw and label a diagram to show the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth during a lunar eclipse.
Points
Description
2
- Student explains that a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is directly between the Sun and a full moon in a straight line, and the Moon is in the Earth’s shadow.
- Diagram correctly positions the Sun, Moon, and Earth for a lunar eclipse and indicates that it is a full moon.
- Sun, Moon, and Earth are labeled correctly and the diagram includes the Earth’s shadow on the Moon.
1
- Student explains that a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is directly between the Sun and a full moon in a straight line.
- Diagram correctly positions the Sun, Moon, and Earth for a lunar eclipse.
- Sun, Moon, and Earth are labeled correctly.
0
- Student does not correctly explain why a lunar eclipse occurs.
- Diagram does not correctly position the Sun, Moon, and Earth for a lunar eclipse.
- Sun, Moon, and Earth are not labeled correctly.
14. Describe three ways humans have used telescopes to study the Moon.
Points
Description
2
Student describes three ways we have used telescopes to study the Moon, such as:
- Mapping the Moon
- Locating craters and other features of the Moon
- Studying the phases of the Moon
- Identifying minerals on the Moon’s surface
1
Student describes one or two ways we have used telescopes to study the Moon, such as:
- Mapping the Moon
- Locating craters and other features of the Moon
- Studying the phases of the Moon
- Identifying minerals on the Moon’s surface
0
Student does not correctly describe any way that we have used telescopes to study the Moon.
Performance Assessment:
Moon Journal
Have students observe the Moon each evening for a week, and keep an illustrated journal and log of observations. It is important that they observe the Moon at the same time and from the same location each evening, so that they can see differences in the Moon’s position in the sky.
Have students complete an illustrated Moon Journal and a daily log of written observations, and answer questions about moon phases (see S-7-9_Moon Journal in the Resources folder).
Performance Assessment Scoring Rubric:
Points
Description
5
The student completes all five of the requirements:
- Moon phases are labeled correctly in the daily moon journal.
- Moon phases are illustrated in color in the daily moon journal.
- The daily log contains at least two detailed observations per night.
- Both questions are answered correctly.
- The conclusion thoroughly explains why the Moon’s appearance changes each night.
4
The student completes four of the requirements.
3
The student completes three of the requirements.
2
The student completes two of the requirements.
1
The student completes one of the requirements.
0
The student demonstrates lack of understanding or does not attempt to complete the assessment.
DRAFT 05/13/2011
