The phases of the Moon follow a predictable pattern.
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Students can use the Moon symbol when they see patterns.
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Critical questions for patterns-
Is there a pattern?
What is the evidence for this pattern?
Do similarities and differences reveal a pattern?
Is this pattern real or imagined? (People sometimes see patterns where there isn't one)
What predictions can I make based on this pattern? Can I test them?
Is there a cause for this pattern?
Engineering- How widely can this pattern be applied? What are its limits? Can I use this pattern to design a solution?
What other crosscutting concepts can be applied to this pattern?
How does this pattern compare to other patterns I have learned about?
Based on what I've learned, what other symbol could be used to represent patters?
Questions that connect to the Science and Engineering Practices-
Asking Questions- What questions can I ask about this pattern?
Defining Problems- How can I change this pattern? How can I use this pattern?
Models- How can I model this pattern? Can I make a model to explain this pattern?
Investigations- How can we design and carry out an investigation to confirm that this pattern is real?
Data- Is there a pattern to this data? How can I organize and display my data to show this pattern?
Using Math- How can we use math to represent this pattern?
Computational thinking- How can we use a computer to find or visualize patterns in the data?
Explanations- How can I explain this pattern? How can this pattern support my explanation?
Solutions- Does this pattern tell me if the solution works?
Argument- What is the evidence for this pattern? Can I use this pattern as evidence to support my argument?
Information- What is already known about this pattern? How can I best communicate about this pattern?
Why the Moon symbol is used for Patterns- With direction, very young students can observe and identify the pattern in the phases of the Moon. As students get older their understanding gets more sophisticated as they can model the movements of the Earth, Sun, and Moon and use mathematical representations to explain orbits.