This 3-page 4th grade science worksheet teaches students to read a calendar of Moon phases. Page 1 shows a 30-day month with the new moon on the 1st, first quarter on the 8th, full moon on the 15th and third quarter on the 23rd, plus a note that the next new moon is on the 30th. Page 2 has a hint box and six questions about dates, day counts and the next full moon. Page 3 is the answer key.
“Read a calendar to find the date and the phase of the Moon.”
Questions 1, 3 and 4 ask for the full moon date and the phases on the 8th and the 23rd.
“Count the days between Moon phases and use the pattern to predict the next one.”
Question 2 counts 14 days from new moon to full moon. Question 6 predicts the next full moon, about the 14th of the next month.
A Sunday to Saturday grid for 30 days, with a Moon picture on the 1st, 8th, 15th, 23rd and 30th. The 30th carries the label Next New Moon.
A short box says the Moon is waxing while the lit part grows from new moon to full moon, and waning while it shrinks back to new moon.
Students give the date of the full moon, count the days from the first new moon to the full moon, name the phase on the 8th and the 23rd, say if the Moon is waxing or waning on the 20th, and predict the next full moon.
Each answer with a short reason, such as 15 minus 1 equals 14 days.
Read it together
Name the five Moon pictures aloud before anyone writes. Ask which side is lit on the 8th and on the 23rd.
Count, then subtract
For question 2, let students count the squares from the 1st to the 15th. Then show 15 minus 1 as a shortcut.
Use a real calendar
Give students this month's real Moon calendar afterward and ask the same six questions. Question 5 works well, because the 20th falls between two labeled phases.
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