Moon Observation Calendar
Observing the Moon and looking for patterns
Moon Observation Calendar
Observing the Moon and looking for patterns
Science - Grade 2-3
- 1
Look at the Moon tonight or ask an adult to help you check the sky. Write the date, time, and what the Moon looks like.
If you cannot see the Moon, write not visible and describe the weather or sky.
Answers will vary. A complete answer should include the date, the time, and a short description of the Moon, such as full circle, half circle, crescent, or not visible. - 2
Mia observed the Moon on Monday. She wrote, 'The Moon looked like a thin banana.' Which Moon shape did Mia most likely see?
Mia most likely saw a crescent Moon because a crescent looks like a thin curved shape. - 3
A class Moon calendar shows these observations: Day 1: thin crescent, Day 4: larger crescent, Day 7: half Moon. What pattern is happening?
Compare how much of the Moon is lit on each day.
The lit part of the Moon is getting bigger each time the class observes it. - 4
Circle the best tool for keeping track of Moon observations for many days: a calendar, a thermometer, or a ruler. Explain your choice.
A calendar is the best tool because it helps record observations on different dates. - 5
On a Moon observation calendar, Lily drew clouds on Tuesday and wrote 'Moon not visible.' What is one reason the Moon might not be visible?
Think about what can cover the Moon in the sky.
The Moon might not be visible because clouds were blocking it. It also might not have been above the horizon at that time. - 6
Sam saw a full Moon on the 10th day of the month. About one week later, the Moon looked smaller and only part of it was lit. Did the Moon really shrink? Explain.
The Moon did not really shrink. We see different amounts of the lit side of the Moon as it moves around Earth. - 7
Read this observation: 'Date: April 6. Time: 8:00 p.m. Sky: clear. Moon: half circle.' What important information is missing?
A good Moon observation usually includes when, where in the sky if needed, sky condition, and what the Moon looked like.
No important information is missing because the observation includes the date, time, sky condition, and Moon shape. - 8
Put these Moon shapes in an order that shows the lit part getting bigger: full Moon, thin crescent, half Moon.
The order is thin crescent, half Moon, full Moon because the lit part gets bigger in that order. - 9
A student observed the Moon at 7:30 p.m. for three nights. Why is it helpful to observe at about the same time each night?
Scientists try to keep some things the same when they compare observations.
It is helpful because the observations are easier to compare when they are made at about the same time each night. - 10
Draw or describe what a full Moon looks like.
A full Moon looks like a complete bright circle in the sky. - 11
Nora forgot to write the date on her Moon drawing. Why is the date important on a Moon observation calendar?
A calendar is used to connect observations with days.
The date is important because it shows when the observation was made and helps people see how the Moon changes from day to day. - 12
Here are four observations from a class calendar: Monday: crescent, Tuesday: crescent, Wednesday: cloudy, Thursday: half Moon. What should the class write for Wednesday?
The class should write that the Moon was not visible because it was cloudy, or they should write 'cloudy' for that date. - 13
After many days of observations, a student says, 'The Moon's shape changes in a pattern.' Is this a good science statement? Explain why.
A pattern is something that happens in a regular or repeated way.
Yes, this is a good science statement because it is based on repeated observations of the Moon over many days.