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Moon phase recording charts
Have your students use the below charts to record the changing appearance of the Moon. Ask students to record the appearance of the Moon by shading the unlit part of the disc. You can extend the activity by asking them to record the Moons appearance at the same time each night (as evening twilight ends). With prompting, they will notice that the Moon moves across the sky. This is caused by the Moon moving in its orbit around the Earth. The charts are located on the ‘2021 Where to look for the planets‘ pages.
Moon Phase Flip books
Do you remember the old fashioned flip books? Here is a chance for you to make one with an astronomical theme – the phases of the Moon! I have prepared one for both the Southern and Northern hemisphere.
Simply print the four pages, cut apart the 32 images and glue them onto thin card. Staple or use a rubber band to secure the left hand side of the bundle and flick away! Note that you have will need to download the correct version for your hemisphere.
Moon Phases pre/post test photocopy master
Use this test to assess the knowledge of your students before and after you explore the phases of the Moon with them. The download page for this test also also includes an answer sheet.
Horizon sunrise and sunset horizon recording chart
Use the below chart to record the changing location of sunrise and sunset throughout the year.
Solar Astrolabe
Use this solar astrolabe to indirectly measure the altitude of the Sun. It is intended for use by students to conduct observations throughout the year of the Sun’s changing altitude in the day sky in the Southern hemisphere. Download the Adobe Acrobat file: Solar_Astrolabe_photocopy_master_V1
Students should use the below azimuthal grid recording chart to plot their results on.
Azimuthal grid recording chart
This chart is for students to use to plot the apparent path of the Sun or other celestial objects across the day or night sky. For instance, it could be used in conjunction with the above Solar astrolabe to record how the apparent path of the Sun across the day sky changes throughout the year.
Download the Adobe Acrobat file: Azimuthal_grid_recording_chart_V1
If you are a year 7 teacher and only have a couple of lessons to cover the seasons, I strongly suggest you take your class to your local planetarium. Ask the planetarium presenter to project the path of the Sun across the sky on each of the solstices and equinoxes and have your students record its path on the chart. They will be surprised at the differences throughout the year.
Interactive Sun Motion Demonstrator
This fantastic on-line resource can be used to show how the Sun’s location and movement changes depending on where you are on Earth.
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