What are the phases of the Moon 4th grade?

Once you understand those four key moon phases, the phases between should be fairly easy to visualize, as the illuminated portion gradually transitions between them. An easy way to remember and understand those “between” lunar phase names is by breaking out and defining 4 words: crescent, gibbous, waxing, and waning.

How do you teach students the phases of the Moon?

Make observations. Box the New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter. Ask students about how many days apart those each are (about a week). Ask students to compare the moon’s appearance the first day of the month and the last day of the month (they should look very similar because the pattern repeats).

What are the 8 phases of the Moon?

The rest of the month we see parts of the daytime side of the Moon, or phases. These eight phases are, in order, new Moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full Moon, waning gibbous, third quarter and waning crescent.

What are moon phases called?

Astronomers recognize four primary moon phases (new, first quarter, full, last quarter) and four interstitial phases (waxing crescent, waxing gibbous, waning gibbous waning crescent). Notice … no half moon.

What do the Moon phases mean?

Waxing means it is getting bigger. 🌕 Full: We can see the Moon completely illuminated during full moons. 🌖 Waning Gibbous: The waning gibbous phase is between a half moon and full moon. Waning means it is getting smaller.

How long does each moon phase last?

Each of the four intermediate phases lasts approximately seven days (7.38 days on average), but varies ±11.25% due to lunar apogee and perigee. The number of days counted from the time of the new moon is the Moon’s “age”. Each complete cycle of phases is called a “lunation”.

How do the phases of the moon affect Earth?

The moon’s gravity pulls at the Earth, causing predictable rises and falls in sea levels known as tides. To a much smaller extent, tides also occur in lakes, the atmosphere and within Earth’s crust.