Phases of the Moon and Eclipses

A PowerPoint presentation and supplementary worksheet covering the phases or the moon and how solar and lunar eclipses occur.

PowerPoint includes series of animations of how the motion of the moon results in the same side always facing earth. Also includes link to video about different eclipses, questions encouraging pupils to explain these, and instructions for worksheet activity.

Worksheet activity sees pupils discovering why the moon appears different shapes throughout its cycle. Instructions are on worksheet and guidance for naming each phase is on presentation. This activity requires polystyrene balls (or similar) and pens to shade in one side. Could be adapted to fit different resources.

Plenary includes a multiple-choice style quiz, which can be combined with whiteboards to assess whole class progress. Optional additional plenary also asks pupils to come up with a question to ask their partners.