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** Moon Phases ** – Half of the moon is always illuminated by the sun. The moon phases are caused because only part of the illuminated portion of the moon is visible from the earth during a lunar cycle.
 * Moon Phases **

** New moon ** – This phase occurs when the moon is between the sun and the earth. No part of the moon is visible from the earth.

** 1st quarter ** – One quarter of the moon is visible. The moon appears as a half circle in the shape of a “**D**”. The visible portion of the moon is **D**eveloping. We say the moon is **waxing**. You can remember this if you think of **wax** build up. The moon is visible from the earth from around noon until midnight.

** Full moon ** – This phase occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the earth. The entire illuminated half of the moon is visible from the earth. The moon appears as a circle. This phase is visible from around sunset until sunrise.

** Last quarter ** (or 3rd quarter) - One quarter of the moon is visible. The moon appears as a half circle in the shape of a “**C**”. The visible portion of the moon is **Collapsing**. We say the moon is **waning**. The moon is visible from the earth from around midnight until noon.

** Crescent ** – One-fourth of the __illuminated portion__ of the moon is visible from the earth. __Waxing crescent__ is between a new moon and 1st quarter. __Waning crescent__ is between the 3rd quarter and new moon. The moon appears as a “C”.

** Gibbous ** – Three-fourths of the __illuminated portion__ of the moon is visible from the earth. **Waxing gibbous** is between a 1st quarter and full moon. **Waning crescent** is between the full moon and 3rd quarter.

Use this **link** to see a depiction of the phases of moon and the relative position of the moon, earth, and sun: [|Animated Moon Phases]

Use this **link** to find out what the moon looks like today: [|The Moon Today]

[[file:Moon Phases Quiz.html]]
===Tides: The moon and earth are constantly pulling at each other. The Earth is able to counter the gravitational pull of the moon on everything except for the ocean. The ocean is constantly moving, which allows the gravitational pull of the moon to create the tides.===

**These are some great lessons for students who require more of a challenge.** []
Here's a Bill Nye clip (~7 minutes) [|Bill Nye the Science Guy]

Here are some short primary friendly videos about the moon: []

[] Here is a moon phase calculator to check out. [|Find the moons current phase]

I have added some experiments you cold do with your students: copy this link (By Lisa Kaufman) [] [] [] (great video for younger students)