This 3-page 4th grade science worksheet covers the eight phases of the Moon. Page 1 shows a ring of eight moons, drawn as seen from the Northern Hemisphere, with numbers 1 to 8 beside them and a word bank of the phase names. Page 2 asks students to write the eight phases in order, starting with the new moon, and to say how long the full cycle takes. Page 3 is the answer key. The arrows run counterclockwise, so students can see where waxing turns into waning.
“Name the eight phases of the Moon from pictures of the lit part.”
Page 1 asks for all eight names from the ring diagram, from new moon to waning crescent.
“Put the phases of the Moon in order and say how long one cycle takes.”
Page 2 asks for the eight phases in order and for the length of the cycle, about 29.5 days.
Eight small moons sit in a ring, with arrows running counterclockwise from number 1, the new moon. Students write a name from the word bank on the line for each number, from first quarter to waning gibbous.
Eight numbered lines for writing the phases in order, starting with the new moon.
One written question asks how long the full Moon cycle takes.
Both parts are keyed, and the cycle answer reads about 29.5 days, or about one month.
Before a moon unit
Hand it out cold. Part 1 shows in about ten minutes which students already tell waxing from waning.
After a lamp demo
Run the lamp and ball demonstration first, then have students label the ring. Numbers 3 and 7 are the two half moons, so check that first quarter and third quarter go the right way round.
Exit slip
Use page 2 on its own at the end of a lesson. Eight lines and one question take about five minutes to mark with the key.
Get started today
