The Moon Changes Shape
- Earth & Space
- Ages 6–8 · Grades 1–2
What you’ll find out
- The Moon makes no light of its own; it shines because sunlight lands on it.
- The Moon seems to change shape a little each night.
- The pattern of shapes starts again after about a month.
No sign-up and no real names. In the lesson you check your understanding as you read, and practise until it sticks.
The Moon at night
At night you can often see the Moon, big and bright in the sky. The Moon does not make any light of its own. It shines because sunlight lands on it. Sometimes you can even spot it in the daytime.
The Moon’s changing shape
The Moon seems to change shape from night to night. Sometimes it is a full, round circle. Other nights it is a half, or a thin curve like a smile. The shape changes a little each night, and after about a month it starts again.
Curriculum links: NGSS 1-ESS1-1 · England KS2: Earth and space · Cambridge Primary Stages 2–3: Earth and space