Moon Calendar Template (Page 4 of 4) in pdf

Space Explorer Try-It's Checklist

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The Night Sky

Go star gazing with an adult who knows the planets and the stars, or have an adult help you read a star

map. Try to find the North Star, the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, or other groups of stars (which are

called constellations).

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The Moon

Why does the moon look like it changes shape? One week it is full. The next time you see a half-moon.

The moonlight you see is the sun shining on one side of the moon. As the earth and the moon move

around the sun, you see the moon in different places. You also see the parts of the moon that get sunlight.

Chart and draw the moon on the same day of the week for four weeks. What did you see? See handout

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Ready, Set, Jet!

Pretend you are on a journey to a Girl Scout center on the moon. Draw or create a costume for your

journey. Show your drawing to others. Be ready to answer questions about your outfit. See handout

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Shadow Time

Did you know that the earth rotates? It turns around much like a top. Have you seen the sun in different

places in the sky? It looks like the sun is moving, but it is the earth that is moving. Try this activity to

mark the earth's movement.

1. On a sunny day, take a stick and put it in the ground. It should cast a shadow. Mark the very end of

the shadow by placing another stick on the ground.

2. Leave your sticks in the ground and return in an hour. Has something changed? Use a third stick to

mark where your shadow is now. Do this once more in an hour. Which way did your shadow move?

What do you think made your shadow move? Is there a way you could use this movement to tell

time?

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Star Maker

Pick a favorite constellation, or create a pattern of stars to make your own indoor star show! You will

need:

a film cannister

a flashlight

a large thumbtack (those jumbo ones work best)

constellation patterns

Compiled by pictures and book ideas listed there.

Moon Calendar Template Page 4