Group items tagged

2.2.9: Investigate how the shape of the moon changes from day to day in a repeating cycle that lasts about a month. This activity can be adapted for gifted students by having them identify specific words that describe the phases of the moon they're observing. For example, under "Day 1," the student could write words such as "waxing," "waning," "full moon," or "new moon." This activity could also be used for younger age groups by having the students observe the moon for one week, rather than one month.

My only concern is that the students may think the moon actually does get "a bite" taken out of it and changes shape instead of realizing that it always remains circular, but it just appears to be different shapes based on the position of the moon in relation to the sun and the Earth. If you use this activity, be sure to make it perfectly clear that the moon is always round.