In the current fifth grade science unit, students are studying aspects of our planet and its relationship to the Sun and Moon. Through lessons examining the changing seasons, shortening of daylight hours, and how the Earth both rotates and revolves, fifth graders are learning more deeply about how and why the world around them changes with such steady regularity. One such regular occurrence is the monthlong cycle of the phases of the Moon. Using styrofoam balls as a model of the Moon itself, and a small flashlight as the source of sunlight, students paired up to mimic the orbit of the Moon around the Earth to observe a facsimile of the Moon’s phases. From new Moon to half Moon to full Moon, using the flashlight and styrofoam ball, the fifth graders slowly rotated through each phase in turn. Our Moon mimics had a great time and will put similar skills to good use in future experiments!
– Patrick Murray, fifth grade teacher
