Summary
Examines Earth's moon — its phases, its effect on tides, and what the surface is like — and explains that the moon is the only natural satellite Earth has. A clean, fact-dense look at our nearest neighbor.
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All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
- Why does the moon appear to change shape over the month?
- What causes tides on Earth? How is the moon involved?
- The moon has no atmosphere. What does that mean for temperatures there?
- If the moon suddenly disappeared, what two things on Earth would change most noticeably?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: phase, lunar cycle, satellite, tide, gravity, waxing, waning.
Try it: Over the next two weeks, draw the moon each night before bed. Label each shape with its phase name. After 14 nights, describe the pattern you observed.