Phases of the Moon and

the Beliefs and Practices

Associated with it
Module in Science 5
Fourth Quarter

ARAH A. TOYOKEN
Developer

DepEd.CAR.Schools Division of Mountain Province

Tadian II District.Lenga Elementary School
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 WHAT’S IN

In our previous modular lesson, you have learned weathering, which is the
breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on earth surface. Since you learned what
is happening at the surface of the earth then it is also but proper that you will learn also what
is happening above the earth. In this module we will learn about phases of the moon and the
beliefs and practices associated with it.
Are you familiar with the phases of the moon? Do you know some beliefs
associated with it?

WHAT’S NEW
As the moon orbits or circles the Earth, the phase changes. We will start with what is
called the New Moon phase. This is where we cannot see any of the lit upside of the moon.
The moon is between us and the sun. As the moon orbits the Earth, we can see more and
more of the lit upside until finally the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun
and we get a full moon. As the moon continues to orbit the Earth we now see less and less of
the lit upside.

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 WHAT’S IN IT

The moon itself does not emit any light like the sun. What we see when we see the
moon is sunlight reflected off the moon. The phase of the moon is how much of the moon
appears to us on Earth to be lit up by the sun. Half of the moon is always lit up by the sun,
except during an eclipse, but we only see a portion that's lit up. This is the phase of the
moon. Around once per month, every 29 1/2 days to be exact, the phases of the moon make a
complete cycle. As the moon circles the Earth, we can only see a portion of the lit upside.
When we can see 100% of the lit upside, this is a full moon. When we cannot see any of the
lit upside, this is called a new moon.

The Phases of the Moon

Half of the Moon’s surface is always illuminated by sunlight. The amount of light
that we see from our point of view on earth varies every day and this is what we refer to as
moon phase.
Or the shape of the moon as viewed from earth.

New Moon

A. New Moon is the first primary phase and it occurs the moment when the Sun and
Moon are aligned, with the Sun and Earth on opposite sides of the Moon.

A New Moon cannot normally be seen from Earth since only the dark side of the
Moon faces our planet at this point. Sometimes, if the New Moon is close to the Lunar
nodes of its path, it can cause a Solar Eclipse.

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 The greatest difference between high and low tide, also known as spring tides,
takes place around New Moon and Full Moon.

Waxing Crescent Moon

The moment a thin sliver of the Moon becomes visible after New Moon is the beginning
of the first intermediate phase, the Waxing Crescent Moon.

In the past, this used to be called New Moon while the darkest phase was called Dark
Moon. This traditional definition of New Moon is still in use in some cultures, defining the
beginning of the months for instance in the Islamic calendar.

The rest of the Moon is also sometimes faintly visible during most of this phase
because Earth also reflects sunlight onto the Moon. This phenomenon is called
earthshine or Da Vinci glow, and it is most noticeable in April and May.

First Quarter Moon

@timeanddate.com
B. First Quarter Moon is the second primary Moon phase and it is defined as the
moment the Moon has reached the first quarter of its orbit around Earth, hence the name. It is
also called Half Moon as we can see exactly 50% of the Moon's surface illuminated.
Whether you see the left or right half illuminated, depends on several factors, including your
location.

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 The smallest difference between high and low tide, also known as neap tides, occurs
around the 2 Quarter Moons.

Waxing Gibbous Moon

The second intermediate phase, the Waxing Gibbous Moon, lasts until the next
primary phase. Waxing means that it is getting bigger. Gibbous refers to the shape,
which is larger than the semicircle shape of the Moon at First Quarter, but smaller than a
full circle.

Full Moon

@timeanddate.com
C. Full Moon appears in the night sky when the Sun and the Moon are aligned on opposite
sides of Earth.

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How can Full Moon be in the daytime?

Technically, this alignment only lasts a moment. However, the Moon can appear to
be full a day before or after while more than 98% of the Moon's disc is illuminated.

When a Full Moon occasionally passes through Earth's shadow, it will cause a lunar
eclipse.

When the Full Moon comes close to the points of its orbit that are closest or farthest
away from Earth, we call it a Supermoon or Micromoon, respectively.

Waning Gibbous Moon

The next intermediate Moon phase is the Waning Gibbous Moon. The portion of the visible half
of the Moon illuminated decreases during this period.

Third Quarter Moon

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D. Third Quarter Moon occurs the moment the opposite half of the Moon is illuminated
compared to the First Quarter Moon.

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Waning Crescent Moon

The Sun illuminates less than half of the visible part of the Moon during the
Waning Crescent Moon phase and you can sometimes see earthshine on the rest of the
Moon towards the end.

Belief and Practices Associated with the Moon

Happyhousefarm.com

Have you heard of superstitions about the moon? Superstitions are belief that is not
based on human reasons or scientific knowledge, but is connected with old ideas about
magic, etc. Even in this modern age, some people still believe in superstitions.
Phases of the moon are often associated with superstitious beliefs because they
have impact on Earth and, in turn, affect our lives. Some superstitious beliefs are
enumerated below.

Moon and Planting

Will there be any difference if a farmer plants his crop during a full moon or a new
moon? Many farmers believe that planting when the moon is in specific phases may bring
good harvests. It is because the growth rate of plants can be affected by them. The different
phases of the moon influence the groundwater beneath the Earth and affect the movement of
fluids within plants.
During the waxing phases of the moon from new moon to full moon, the moisture of
the soil is at higher level. This may bring germinated and growth to plants, that is why many
farmers opt to sow the seeds of their crops during this time.
Moon and Weather
When the sun, moon, and earth line up and the moon is at its perigee, you can
expect lower temperature. This is due to the combined gravitational pull of the

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moon and the sun. The moon does affect weather but not significantly. It affects the atmosphere
the same way it affects the ocean. When the phase of the moon is full moon or new moon, it
causes a “bulge” in an ocean, a similar thing happens with the atmosphere, it attracts the
atmosphere to itself.

Tides
Gravitational forces exist between the moon and Earth to hold each other in
their respective positions. These gravitational forces affect Earth’s tides. Tides are the rising
and falling of the sea levels with respect to land. Imagine the moon as a magnet and Earth as
a huge metal. When one side of the Earth is close on the moon, this side of the Earth will be
pulled towards the moon, causing it to bulge.
Since Earth is covered with 75% of water, this bulging side causes the ocean level to rise.
The rising of ocean level is known as high tide. On the other hand, the other side
experiences low water level since the water is concentrated on the other side. This is called
as low tide.

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ASSESSMENT

Instruction: Match column A with that of column B. Write the letter of your
answer on the space provided. Number 1 was done for you.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
D_1. The phase seen when the moon is in between A. month
the sun and earth

2. The phase when most of the lighted portion of the B. waxing crescent
Moon is visible in the sky and seen before a Full moon.

3. The phase when the moon appears in a semi-circular C. waning gibbous

Form and is seen after a new moon.

4. The phase when the entire lighted portion of the moon D. new moon
Is seen in the sky

5. The phase that appears after a waning crescent E. full moon

6. The phase when most of the lighted portion of the F. phases of the moon
moon is seen in the sky, but get smaller every night.
G. moon

7. Earth’s only natural satellite H. last quarter

8. The period it takes for the moon to complete one cycle I. waxing gibbous

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 Instruction: Write T if the statement is true and F if it is false.

1. High tide and low tide are the best time to catch fish.

2. Superstitions are beliefs having scientific explanation.

3. The moon can produce its own light.

4. The apparent change in the appearance of the moon is known as phases of the
moon.
5. Waning happens when the moon appears to be growing.

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED

Instruction: Fill in the blanks with correct information. You may select your
answer inside the box below. Number 1 was done for you.

Our moon is an example of a natural satellite. The moon takes

days to complete one cycle. This period is also called a . The

moon only borrows light from the . There are four phases of the moon. They are

, , , and

. The moon appears to have different phases because of the different

amount of light it reflects from the sun as it revolves around the .

Assumptions without scientific bases are called .

Moon new moon 29 ½ days first quarter full moon

sun month last quarter earth superstitious belief

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 ASSESSMENT

Instruction: Read the questions carefully. Underline the letter of your best
answer. Number one was done for you.

1. How many days does the moon take to complete its cycle?
A. 30 days
B. 29 ½ days
C. 28 days
D. 27 ½ days

2. Why does moon seems to change its shape?

A. The moon deforms it shape as it moves around the earth.
B. The moon breaks some its parts when it reflects light from the sun.
C. Only the lighted part of the moon is seen from the earth as it moves.
D. All lighted and darken part of the moon was seen from the earth as it
moves.

3. The lighted part of the moon that we see on earth at different times is called
?
A. Illuminated moon
B. phases of the moon
C. shapes of the moon
D. structure of the moon

4. When the moon seems to be growing it is called ?

A. Crescent
B. Gibbous
C. Waning
D. Waxing

5. Why do some people have superstitious beliefs about the moon?

A. Some people do not believe on modern technology.
B. Some people long time ago are very fascinated with moon.
C. Some people have proven that moon affects their lives significantly.
D. Ancient people believe that moon has a direct influence on their lives which
passed on from generation to generation.

6. A phase where you see half of the lighted side of the moon after the new moon.
A. First Quarter
B. New moon
C. Waxing moon
D. Waning moon

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7. Moon changing from new moon to full moon.
A. First Quarter
B. New moon
C. Waning moon
D. Waxing moon

8. Moon changing from full moon to new moon.

A. New moon
B. First moon
C. Waxing moon
D. Waning moon

9. A phase when the moon is not visible.

A. New moon
B. First moon
C. Waxing moon
D. Waning moon

10. A phase where you see the whole lighted side of the moon.
A. New moon
B. Full moon
C. Waxing moon
D. Waning moon

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
Instruction: Draw the pictures of the phases of the moon below as seen on Earth
then write a brief description of it to complete the table. The first one was
done for you.

Phases of the Picture Description

moon
New Moon cannot normally be seen from
New Moon Earth since only the dark side of the Moon
faces our planet at this point.

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First Quarter Moon

Full Moon

Last Quarter Moon

Waxing Gibbous

Waning Gibbous

Waxing Crescent

Waning Crescent

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sarte, Evelyn, Eliza Lopez, Mary Jean Dela cruz, Harold Arradaza, and Ednaliza

Garcia. Science Beyond Boarders. Reprint, Matina Davao City: Vibal Group, Inc, 2016.

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education Schools Division of Mountain
Province
Bontoc, Mountain Provinced

Mobile Number: 09208194245 or 09386194154

Email Address: andres.cuyasan@deped.gov.ph

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