Let’s go step by step to figure out each moon phase shown in the worksheet.
We’ll look at each circle from left to right, top to bottom, and match it to the correct moon phase name based on how much of the moon is lit up and which side is lit.
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Top Row:
1.
First circle (left):
- The whole circle is black — no light showing.
→ This is the
New Moon. The moon is between Earth and Sun, so we can’t see it.
2.
Second circle (middle):
- A small sliver of light on the *right* side.
→ This is the
Waxing Crescent. “Waxing” means growing, and it’s just starting to show light on the right.
3.
Third circle (right):
- Half lit on the *right*, half dark on the left.
→ This is the
First Quarter. It looks like a half-moon, but it’s actually 1/4 of the way through its cycle.
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Middle Row:
4.
Fourth circle (left):
- Most of the moon is lit, except a small dark part on the *left*.
→ This is the
Waxing Gibbous. “Gibbous” means more than half lit, and still growing toward full.
5.
Fifth circle (middle):
- Whole circle is white — fully lit.
→ This is the
Full Moon. Earth is between Sun and Moon, so we see the whole thing.
6.
Sixth circle (right):
- Most of the moon is lit, except a small dark part on the *right*.
→ This is the
Waning Gibbous. “Waning” means shrinking, and it’s past full, now losing light on the right.
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Bottom Row:
7.
Seventh circle (left):
- Half lit on the *left*, half dark on the right.
→ This is the
Last Quarter (also called Third Quarter). Again, it’s half-lit, but now the left side is bright.
8.
Eighth circle (right):
- Small sliver of light on the *left* side.
→ This is the
Waning Crescent. Almost back to new moon, with only a tiny bit of light left on the left.
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Now let’s write them in order as they appear on the sheet:
Row 1: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter
Row 2: Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous
Row 3: Last Quarter, Waning Crescent
✔ Double-checking:
- We start with New Moon (dark), then grow light on the right (waxing phases), hit Full Moon, then shrink light from the right (waning phases), ending with Waning Crescent before returning to New Moon.
- All 8 major phases are covered correctly.
Final Answer:
New Moon
Waxing Crescent
First Quarter
Waxing Gibbous
Full Moon
Waning Gibbous
Last Quarter
Waning Crescent
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of phases of moon worksheet.
