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Educational worksheet explaining the lunar phases, showing the Moon's orbit around Earth and its changing appearance due to sunlight.

A worksheet titled "Waxing of the Moon" from Twinkl, illustrating the phases of the Moon as it orbits Earth, with labeled diagrams and space for student name and date.

A worksheet titled "Waxing of the Moon" from Twinkl, illustrating the phases of the Moon as it orbits Earth, with labeled diagrams and space for student name and date.

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Show Answer Key & Explanations Step-by-step solution for: Phases of the Moon Worksheet for KS2 (teacher made) - Twinkl
It looks like you've uploaded a worksheet titled "Waxing of the Moon" from Twinkl, which is an educational resource designed to help students understand the phases of the Moon as it orbits Earth.

Let’s solve and explain the task step-by-step based on the visible content.

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🔍 Understanding the Task



The worksheet has two main sections:

1. Left Side: Diagram of Moon Phases Around Earth
- Shows the Earth in the center with the Moon at different positions around it.
- Arrows point from each Moon phase to blank labels.
- The goal is to label each phase correctly based on its position relative to the Sun and Earth.

2. Right Side: Matching Exercise
- Shows the Moon phases in a circular sequence.
- Students are asked to draw arrows connecting each phase to the next in the correct order.
- There's also a sequence strip at the bottom where students must place the phases in order.

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🌕 Step 1: Understand the Moon Phases



As the Moon orbits Earth (about once every 29.5 days), we see different amounts of its sunlit side. These are called phases.

Here are the key phases in order, starting from New Moon and moving counterclockwise (as shown in the diagram):

1. New Moon – The Moon is between Earth and the Sun; the side facing Earth is not lit.
2. Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of the right side is lit (growing).
3. First Quarter – Half of the Moon is lit on the right.
4. Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit, still growing.
5. Full Moon – The entire face is lit.
6. Waning Gibbous – More than half is lit but decreasing.
7. Last Quarter – Half is lit on the left.
8. Waning Crescent – A small sliver on the left is lit.

> ⚠️ Note: "Waxing" means getting bigger (more lit); "Waning" means getting smaller.

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Step 2: Label the Left Diagram



Looking at the diagram on the left, here’s how to label each phase:

- Top Right: The Moon is just past New Moon, with a small lit part on the rightWaxing Crescent
- Top: The Moon shows half of the right side lit → First Quarter
- Top Left: Most of the Moon is lit, but not full → Waxing Gibbous
- Left: The Moon is fully lit → Full Moon
- Bottom Left: The Moon is mostly lit but decreasing → Waning Gibbous
- Bottom: Half of the left side is lit → Last Quarter
- Bottom Right: Small lit part on the leftWaning Crescent
- Right Center: The Moon is between Earth and Sun → New Moon

So the labels (in clockwise order from top right) should be:

1. Waxing Crescent
2. First Quarter
3. Waxing Gibbous
4. Full Moon
5. Waning Gibbous
6. Last Quarter
7. Waning Crescent
8. New Moon

> 🔁 This sequence goes counterclockwise around the Earth.

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Step 3: Complete the Right-Side Activity



#### Part A: Draw arrows to show the order
You need to draw arrows from each phase to the next one in the cycle.

Start from New Moon → Waxing Crescent → First Quarter → Waxing Gibbous → Full Moon → Waning Gibbous → Last Quarter → Waning Crescent → back to New Moon.

> So, connect:
- New Moon → Waxing Crescent
- Waxing Crescent → First Quarter
- First Quarter → Waxing Gibbous
- Waxing Gibbous → Full Moon
- Full Moon → Waning Gibbous
- Waning Gibbous → Last Quarter
- Last Quarter → Waning Crescent
- Waning Crescent → New Moon

#### Part B: Sequence Strip
At the bottom, there’s a row of circles. You must place the phases in order from New Moon to Full Moon to New Moon again.

Order for the strip:
1. New Moon
2. Waxing Crescent
3. First Quarter
4. Waxing Gibbous
5. Full Moon
6. Waning Gibbous
7. Last Quarter
8. Waning Crescent

Then repeat or end at New Moon depending on instructions.

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🧠 Key Concept Recap



- The Moon doesn’t produce light — we see it because sunlight reflects off it.
- The phase depends on how much of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible from Earth.
- Waxing = increasing illumination (from New to Full)
- Waning = decreasing illumination (from Full to New)

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Final Answer Summary



Labels for the left diagram (clockwise from top-right):
1. Waxing Crescent
2. First Quarter
3. Waxing Gibbous
4. Full Moon
5. Waning Gibbous
6. Last Quarter
7. Waning Crescent
8. New Moon

Arrows on the right: Connect the phases in the order above, forming a cycle.

Sequence strip: Place the phases in the same order as listed above.

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If you have any specific questions about a phase or need help drawing the arrows, let me know!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of moon phases worksheet for middle school.
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