Briefing
If the Moon is just a big hunk of rock, where does moonlight come from? The answer is the Sun! Sunlight reflects off the surface of the Moon, so we can see it from the Earth. In this Move Crew, you'll see why the moon goes from full to dark and back again.
Activity
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
A flashlight
A foam or rubber ball
A pencil or pointy stick
WHAT TO DO:
Find a partner to work with.
Choose one person to be the Sun, and the other to be the Earth.
Stick the pencil or pointed stick into the ball, like a lollipop. The ball represents the Moon.
Give the flashlight to the Sun. Give the ball on a stick representing the Moon to the Earth.
Stand about five to ten feet apart. Face each other.
If you're the Earth, hold the Moon out in front of you at arm's length, just above your head.
If you're the Sun, hold the flashlight above your head and shine it EXACTLY on the Moon.
Turn out the lights. Pull down the window shades if you have to.
If you're the Earth, describe what the Moon looks like now.
Now start slowly turning in place, away from the Sun, with the Moon still held out in front of you. (You should be spinning like a top, except very slowly)
If you're the Sun, stand still and keep the flashlight focused EXACTLY on the Moon at all times.
If you're the Earth, keep describing what you see as you turn. Pause every couple of seconds and look at the Moon. What kind of a Moon is it now?
Keep doing this until you've turned all the way back to where you started. Switch roles and do the activity again.
Debriefing
Now can you explain in words why the Moon looks different at different times? What would happen if the Moon didn't revolve around the Earth?
If you've got your Case Journals, answer the questions in it now!