🔬 Science · Space Systems & Earth's History

Phases of the Moon

Explain the phases of the Moon as the changing angle of sunlight on the lunar surface as seen from Earth, and describe how solar and lunar eclipses occur

Typical age: 11–12 years

“If your child noticed the Moon looking like a thin crescent one night and a full circle two weeks later, could they explain what has changed and why — and describe what happens during a lunar eclipse?”

0 / 3 mastered

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Needs first

The solar systemREQUIRED
Explaining Moon phases requires understanding the Sun–Earth–Moon geometry established in KS2
Earth & Space VocabularyREQUIRED
Explaining moon phases requires 'lunar phases', 'waxing', 'waning', and 'eclipse' vocabulary
Earth's rotation and day/night
Understanding Earth's rotation and the concept of shadows supports the eclipse explanation

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