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Standard I - Moon
Standard: Students will understand that the appearance of the moon changes in a predictable cycle as it orbits Earth and as Earth rotates on its axis.
Objective 1: Explain
patterns of changes in the appearance of the moon as it orbits Earth.
Objective 2: Demonstrate
how the relative positions of Earth, the moon, and the sun create the appearance
of the moon’s phases.
Strategies
Science Benchmark
The appearance of the lighted portion of the moon changes in a predictable cycle as a result of the relative positions of Earth, the moon, and the sun. Earth turns on an axis that is tilted relative to the plane of Earth's yearly orbit. The tilt causes sunlight to fall more intensely on different parts of the Earth during various parts of the year. The differences in heating of Earth's surface and length of daylight hours produce the seasons.
The appearance of the lighted portion of the moon changes in a predictable cycle as a result of the relative positions of Earth, the moon, and the sun. Earth turns on an axis that is tilted relative to the plane of Earth's yearly orbit. The tilt causes sunlight to fall more intensely on different parts of the Earth during various parts of the year. The differences in heating of Earth's surface and length of daylight hours produce the seasons.