The worksheet shows the eight phases of the moon in a circle. The student’s job is to shade each circle to show what the moon looks like during that phase.
Let’s go step by step:
1.
New Moon – The moon is between Earth and the Sun. We can’t see it from Earth. So, the whole circle should be blank (no shading).
2.
Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side. Shade only the left part — leave a thin crescent unshaded on the right.
3.
First Quarter – Half the moon is lit — the right half. Shade the left half, leave the right half white.
4.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit, but not all. The right side is mostly white, with a little dark on the left.
5.
Full Moon – The whole face is lit. Leave the entire circle white — no shading.
6.
Waning Gibbous – After full moon, the left side starts to darken. Shade the right part, leave most of the left white.
7.
Third Quarter – Left half is lit. Shade the right half, leave the left half white.
8.
Waning Crescent – Only a thin sliver remains on the left. Shade almost the whole circle, leaving a small crescent unshaded on the left.
Remember: “Waxing” means growing (light increases), “Waning” means shrinking (light decreases). In the Northern Hemisphere, light grows from the right and shrinks from the left.
Final Answer:
Shade each moon circle as follows:
- New Moon: Entire circle blank
- Waxing Crescent: Left side shaded, right crescent unshaded
- First Quarter: Left half shaded, right half unshaded
- Waxing Gibbous: Most left shaded, right mostly unshaded
- Full Moon: Entire circle unshaded
- Waning Gibbous: Most right shaded, left mostly unshaded
- Third Quarter: Right half shaded, left half unshaded
- Waning Crescent: Right side shaded, left crescent unshaded
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of phases of moon worksheet.
