ScienceFreePrintable

Moon Knowledge and Myths

A free science worksheet ready for your classroom. Open in Kuraplan to grab the print-ready PDF, customize it for your students, or generate a fresh version in seconds.

Download now

Name:Date:

Moon Knowledge and Myths

Join the Moon Mission Crew! Read the information and story, then solve the mission challenges. Remember: science explains what we can test and observe; myths are traditional stories that share ideas and values.

Mission briefing: Moon facts

The Moon is Earth's natural satellite. It travels around Earth in an orbit. Its average distance from Earth is about 384,400 kilometres. The Moon does not make its own light; sunlight reflects off its surface. As the Moon moves around Earth, we see different amounts of its sunlit half. These changing views are called phases. The Moon is always roughly round, even when it looks like a crescent. People can sometimes see it during the day as well as at night. The Moon is much smaller than Earth.

1.Your mission computer asks: Which statement best explains why the Moon appears bright?

It makes its own light.
It reflects light from the Sun.
Earth shines light onto it all the time.
It is covered in glowing stars.

2.Select all the scientifically accurate facts from the mission briefing.

The Moon orbits Earth.
The Moon is made of cheese.
The Moon can sometimes be seen in the daytime.
The Moon changes its actual shape each week.
The Moon is smaller than Earth.

3.Put these Moon views in order from the least lit part we see to the most lit part we see: full Moon, crescent Moon, first quarter Moon.

Story signal: Rona and the Moon

A Māori pūrākau tells of Rona, who went out at night to fetch water. The night was dark, and she stumbled. Angry and upset, she spoke sharply to the Moon. The Moon heard her and drew her up. In some tellings, Rona went with a ngaio tree. People said they could see shapes on the Moon and imagined they were Rona and the tree. Pūrākau are traditional stories; versions may differ between iwi and tellers. This story is not a scientific explanation of the Moon's surface, but it carries cultural meaning and connects people with the night sky.

4.According to the story, what did people imagine they could see on the Moon?

5.Match each statement to its best description: a science fact or a traditional story detail.

The Moon reflects sunlight.
Rona was drawn up to the Moon.
The Moon travels around Earth.

Traditional story detail
Science fact
Science fact

6.Why might people tell stories about the Moon? Choose the strongest answer.

Stories can help explain what people notice and pass on cultural knowledge.
Everyone everywhere tells exactly the same Moon story.
Stories prove that the Moon is made of cheese.
People tell stories only when there is no sunlight.

7.A crew member says, “The Moon changes shape as it moves around Earth.” Improve this statement using the briefing. Explain what really changes.

8.The Moon is about 384,400 kilometres from Earth on average. Which estimate is closest?

About 380,000 kilometres
About 38,000 kilometres
About 3,800 kilometres
About 3,800,000 kilometres

9.Imagine your crew is collecting evidence about the Moon's phases. Name one observation you could make over several weeks.

10.Invent a respectful Moon myth for a new planet crew. Write two or three sentences explaining what a shape on the Moon might represent. Make clear that it is an imagined story, not a science fact.