Lunar Phases and Eclipses - FREE Video Worksheet - Middle School Science

Why does the Moon look different every night? Why don't we see the Moon during the day sometimes? What causes lunar and solar eclipses? The answers lie in the predictable patterns created by the Moon orbiting Earth while Earth orbits the Sun. Understanding these patterns helps us predict Moon phases and rare eclipse events!

[Preview this free video here on YouTube]

Standards:
Perfect for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students studying astronomy, Earth-Moon-Sun system, and space science. This video aligns with 🎯 NGSS standard MS-ESS1-1, developing and using models to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases and eclipses.

TEKS Addressed: 
🎯 Middle School Science: 7.9.A - The student understands the patterns of movement, organization, and characteristics of components of our solar system. The student is expected to: describe the physical properties, locations, and movements of the Sun, planets, moons, meteors, asteroids, comets, Kuiper belt, and Oort cloud

⭐ What's Covered?:

✅ Why the Moon appears to change shape (it doesn't - it's about sunlight!) 
✅ The eight main lunar phases: new, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent 
✅ Why the Moon rises and sets at different times each day 
✅ What causes lunar eclipses (Earth's shadow on Moon) 
✅ What causes solar eclipses (Moon's shadow on Earth) 
✅ Why eclipses don't happen every month 
✅ The predictable 29.5-day lunar cycle

What will the students be doing?

● Students will be given either a printed or digital handout to record answers on.

● Either individually or as a class watch the video

● Then, they will use the video and their own knowledge to answer the questions.

● Use questions to spark discussions and apply information beyond the page!