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Astronomy Year / Week 03 / Wednesday
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Week 03 · Predict the Full Moon

Wednesday

Count to the next full moon
// The Moon's monthly pattern
⏱ about 15 min

Wednesday: Count to the next full moon

"Last night was a full moon!" Rocket says. "When is the next one?"

Raven opens a calendar. "What do you notice about one cycle?"

Nova taps the calendar. "Hint: one cycle is about 29 and a half days. Count forward."

Make a prediction

A prediction is a smart guess that uses clues.

Our clue is the cycle: about 29 and a half days.

So the next full moon comes about one month later.

It may be one night early or late. That is fine!

  1. Find the full moon night on a calendar.
  2. Count forward about 29 or 30 days.
  3. Mark that night with a circle.
  4. Watch to see if you are right.
PREDICT!
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
A full moon is on day 1. About which day is the next full moon?
A new moon is tonight. About how long until the next new moon?
HOW TO PREDICT
  • Tap a card.
  • Then tap its spot.
1First
2Next
3Then
4Last
For a grown-up
Use a paper calendar or a phone calendar together.
Many calendars and weather pages show moon phases to check your guess.

Why about 29 or 30?

One cycle is about 29 and a half days.

A calendar only counts whole days.

So we count 29 or 30 days.

So the full moon can come a night early or late.

COUNT IT OUT
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
A full moon is on day 5. About when is the next one?
Your guess was off by one night. Is that okay?
What is our clue for predicting?
PredictionTrue or false?
A prediction is a smart guess.?
The next full moon is about one week later.?
We can check a prediction by looking.?
A calendar helps us count days.?
WHY THIS EXERCISECounting days with a calendar makes a good prediction.
Try it
Find a calendar with a grown-up.
Put your finger on today.
Count forward 29 days. Where do you land?
Draw a full moon. Write about 29.5 days under it.

You made a real prediction! Tomorrow we see when the full moon rises.

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