Eclipses, Lunar Phases, Tides, and Seasons Practice Packet

Welcome! This packet will reinforce middle school science students’ understanding of Earth’s seasons, the tides, eclipses, and the lunar phases. 

Students will perform the following tasks in this lesson.

• Sketch a few select lunar phases.
• Draw and label the moon's position in relation to Earth and the sun during a solar eclipse.
• Draw and label the moon's position in relation to Earth and the sun during a lunar eclipse.
• Draw and label the umbra and penumbra for both eclipses.
• Differentiate waxing from waning.
• Identify the cause of seasons, day and night, a calendar year, and the monthly cycle.
• Sketch the position and axis of Earth concerning the sun for both the winter and summer solstices.
• Identify the lunar phases during which lunar and solar eclipses occur.
• Complete a fill-in-the-blank section about the spring (vernal) and fall (autumnal) equinox.
• Make predictions regarding when a specific lunar phase will occur after a currently stated one.
• Complete a fill-in-the-blank section about the factors that contribute towards a spring tide.
• Complete a fill-in-the-blank section about how Earth’s rotation concerning the moon affects tides.
• Sketch and label the Earth, moon, sun, and the uneven bulges of water around Earth (high tide) during a third-quarter moon phase.
• Sketch and label the Earth, moon, sun, and the uneven bulges of water around Earth (high tide) during a full moon phase.

This PDF file will become editable upon conversion to Microsoft Word using an Adobe Acrobat Reader DC app. I included a full key with the answers in bold, red font. I edited this document with the premium version of Grammarly.

I appreciate your interest. This resource complements the following lessons in my store.

• Lunar Cycle Phase Identification and Sequencing Activity
• Lunar Review Quest Moon Activity Sheet
• Moon Homework Quiz
• Moon Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle Set
• Earth's Seasons Crossword Puzzle Set

I have nearly twenty-five years of teaching experience at the time of this publication. I have been the science department head for over twenty years. I have published science games, kits, books, posters, and lessons through several international science supply corporations dating back to 2002. Order with confidence!

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