Earth & space science
Lunar Cycle Science Manipulative
Direct TEKS: 4.9(B)
Supplemental TEKS: 6.1(G) · 7.1(G) · 8.1(G)
Helps students identify, sequence, and predict the observable phases of the Moon. Reinforces understanding of repeating lunar patterns and changes in the Moon’s appearance from Earth.
Curriculum connections
Direct connections address a component of a standard, not the entire expectation. Supplemental connections support instruction or extend a lesson. Summaries are paraphrased from current official TEA standards.
Elementary school
4th Grade Science
Collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict patterns in the Moon’s observable appearance.
Use the model with collected Moon-observation data to identify sequences and predict the next appearance. Moving preset phases alone does not fulfill the data-collection requirement.
Middle school
6th Grade Science
Develop and use models representing phenomena, systems, processes or engineering solutions.
Develop a physical model of this topic as enrichment; this practice is not a direct grade-level content requirement for the topic.
7th Grade Science
Develop and use models representing phenomena, systems, processes or engineering solutions.
Develop a physical model as enrichment; atomic arithmetic, lunar phases and contour reading are not direct requirements of this practice.
8th Grade Science
Develop and use models representing phenomena, systems, processes or engineering solutions.
Use a physical model as enrichment and discuss its representation; this is not a direct topic-specific content requirement.