Let's learn about the phases of the moon!
First - Lets look at What You Will Need for this activity:
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8 Oreos *Tip - Have a few extras to account for breakage and snacking!
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Toothpicks
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Our phases of the Moon packet - Free Download Below
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A little will power - we know, it's hard to not to eat your moons as you go!
Phases of the Moon Packet - Click the download arrow below for your free download
Instructions:
1.Carefully separate the sides of each cookie, doing your best to keep the cream filling intact on one side.
*Tip - We have found that the double stuffed Oreos separate more easily and neatly. If you are struggling to get neat separations a spatula may help.
Don't stress if all of your cookies don't separate perfectly, you can use the less than perfect ones for the moons that will leave behind less filling. Just save you MOST perfect one for your Full Moon!
2. Using the chart on the next page as a guide, use a toothpick gently carve the shape of each moon phase into the cream, removing the excess cream. The white portion of the diagrams are what should be left on your cookie.
*Note that your New Moon will have all of its cream removed and your Full Moon should have all of its cream intact.
3. Once you have carved each phase, spend a few minutes studying what each one looks like and its name.
4. Now take all of your Moon phase cookies and (gently) scramble them around on your table so they are out of order. Flip to page 3 of your packet where you will find a blank Moon phase chart. Test what you have learned by seeing if you can put all of your cookies into the right box on the chart.
5. Finally you can celebrate what you have learned by enjoying your sweet treat!
Let's learn little more about the phases of the moon!
Why does the moon have phases?
Earth’s moon does not actually change shape OR give off light. Instead it is illuminated by the light of the sun and the placement of the moon as it orbits the earth affects the shadow cast on the moon, giving it the illusion of these different phases.
What do the moon phase names mean?
Let’s start by breaking down what some of the terms mean:
- Waning - When the Moon is waning it is losing illumination from the Sun.
- Waxing - When the Moon is waxing it is gaining illumination from the Sun.
- Crescent - Means that less than half of the Moon is illuminated.
- Gibbous - Means that more than half of the Moon is illuminated.
Now what each phase name tells us about the moon:
- New Moon - the position of the Moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun and no moon is visible from Earth.
- Waxing Crescent - the Moon is becoming more lit by the Sun but less than half of the Moon is visible.
- First Quarter - this phase occurs ¼ of the way through a lunar month. Half of the Moon is lit by the Sun and is visible from Earth.
- Waxing Gibbous - The Moon is becoming more lit by the Sun and more than half of the Moon is visible.
- Full Moon - the side of the Moon facing Earth is fully illuminated by the Sun and is visible from Earth as a complete moon.
- Waning Gibbous - the Moon is becoming less lit by the Sun and more than half of the Moon is visible.
- Third Quarter - This phase occurs ¾ of the way through the lunar month. The opposite half of the Moon of the first quarter is lit by the Sun and is visible from Earth.
- Waning Crescent - the Moon is becoming less lit by the Sun and less than half of the Moon is visible from Earth.
For more review of the phases of the moon, check out our Moon Phase Puzzle.
Wood Moon Phase Puzzle
https://www.the-sensory-stores.com/products/wood-moon-phase-puzzle
Or our Uncle Goose Moon Phase Blocks
Uncle Goose Moon Phase Blocks
https://www.the-sensory-stores.com/products/uncle-goose-blocks-moon-phases