Georgia S2E2.d
The Standard
Use data from personal observations to describe, illustrate, and predict how the appearance of the moon changes over time in a pattern.
Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science · Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to develop an understanding of the patterns of the sun and the moon and the sun's effect on Earth.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students record the Moon’s shape across several nights using dated drawings or photos. They use the repeating sequence to describe changes and predict what may appear next.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students arrange Moon observations in time order and identify a clear pattern. They support a prediction with evidence from earlier observations.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the Moon changes its actual shape or that clouds create its phases. They may also expect the Moon to look different every night or appear in the same place and time.
How to Assess It
- Give students four dated Moon drawings and ask, “What shape will likely come next? Draw it and use the observations to explain your prediction.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Keep a two-week Moon calendar, adding a dated drawing from home observations or teacher-provided photos each day.
Ask students to write, “How did the Moon’s appearance change, and what evidence helps you predict the next shape?”
Play Moon Sequence Relay by having teams arrange photo cards by date, then choose and explain the next likely card.
Compare a monthly Moon calendar with dates for evening events, then choose nights when a brighter Moon might be visible.
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Printable S2E2.d Worksheet
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Related Standards
- S6E2.a
Develop and use a model to demonstrate the phases of the moon by showing the relative positions of the sun, Earth, and moon.
- S4E2.b
Develop a model based on observations to describe the repeating pattern of the phases of the moon (new, crescent, quarter, gibbous, and full).
- SKE1
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate observations about time patterns (day to night and night to day) and objects (sun, moon, stars) in the day and night sky.
- S2E2
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to develop an understanding of the patterns of the sun and the moon and the sun's effect on Earth.
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