Why does the moon change shape?
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Signs Lab · Case 03 · Sky
For grown-ups · read this first
Why does the moon change shape?
Children keep a moon diary, then make the moon's phases with a torch and a ball. They read the ayah about the moon's stages and the counting of years.
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Sign in creation
- The moon's phases, which mark out the months
- Read together
- Yunus 10:5; also Ya-Sin 36:39, Al-Baqarah 2:189
You will need (things at home)
- A torch (or a lamp without its shade)
- A ball or an orange
- A room you can make dark
- A pencil for the moon diary
Two levels
Explorer ★ draws, circles, counts and says (often ages 4–7). Investigator ★★ predicts, tests, records and explains (often ages 7–11). Choose by your child, not by age. Siblings can do the same case at different levels.
The science in plain words
The moon does not make its own light: it shines with sunlight. As it travels around the earth, about once a month, we see more or less of its sunlit side. These changing shapes are the phases. The Islamic calendar follows the moon, and each month begins with the new crescent.
- • The moon reflects sunlight, and its phases come from how much of its lit side we see as it orbits the earth. Source: NASA Science, “Moon Phases”.
- • From one new moon to the next takes about 29.5 days. Source: NASA Science, “Moon Phases”.
- • In Singapore, MUIS announces when each Islamic month begins. Source: MUIS (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura).
We share creation as signs to ponder, not as proof. If your child asks something about the religion that you are unsure of, ask a recognised asatizah together.
Listen for
- “The moon is getting fatter!” (waxing) or “thinner!” (waning).
- Surprise that the moon is always a whole ball.
- Linking the thin crescent to the start of Ramadan or Eid.
- Questions about why we sometimes see the moon in the daytime.
Another day
- Keep the moon diary for a whole Islamic month, from crescent to crescent.
- Look up this month's dates in the IqraSaurus Calendar.
- Same verse, new me: come back to this case at the start of next Ramadan.
Keep going in the IqraSaurus tools
Tadabbur
Go deeper into 10:5 as a family
Calendar
See this month in the Calendar
Quran Investigators
Classes and booklets for your child
A good case for Ramadan.
Signs Lab · Case 03 · Sky
Quran Investigators · Signs Lab
Case 03
Why does the moon change shape?
Colour me in
Clues to look out for
Moon
Sun
Star
Investigator ★★: ____________________
Case opened on: ________________
Signs Lab · Case 03 · Sky · Investigator ★★
- 1 Inspire
- 2 Investigate
- 3 Integrate
- 4 Impart
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Why does the moon change shape?
Try this first
Wow, why?
Look at the moon tonight, or at a photo of it. Is it round, half, or a thin curve? Here is a secret: the moon is always a round ball. So why does it look different?
☐ We tried it!
Read it together · Surah Yunus 10:5
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ ٱلشَّمْسَ ضِيَآءًۭ وَٱلْقَمَرَ نُورًۭا وَقَدَّرَهُۥ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعْلَمُوا۟ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ ۚ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ لِقَوْمٍۢ يَعْلَمُونَ
It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for her; that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand. (10:5)
English: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Read the ayah together. Listen for what the sun and the moon help us to count.
My wonder question
Draw it
Signs Lab · Case 03 · Sky · Investigator ★★
- 1 Inspire
- 2 Investigate
- 3 Integrate
- 4 Impart
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Investigate
What do I notice? How do I know?
ObserveMy moon diary
- Look at the moon at about the same time each night, with a grown-up.
- If clouds hide it, write “cloudy” and try again tomorrow.
⚠ Grown-up help: Go outside at night with a grown-up.
Record the moon on five nights. Is the bright part growing or shrinking?
| Date | Shape (draw it) | Growing or shrinking? |
|---|---|---|
CompareThe moon or a calendar?
People make calendars and clocks to count time. Compare them with the moon.
| The moon | A calendar | |
|---|---|---|
| How does it show time? | ||
| Who made it? | ||
| Can everyone see it? |
Sketch what you noticed
Signs Lab · Case 03 · Sky · Investigator ★★
- 1 Inspire
- 2 Investigate
- 3 Integrate
- 4 Impart
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Investigate
What do I notice? How do I know?
TestMake the moon's shapes
- In a dark room, a grown-up holds the torch still. It is the sun.
- Hold the ball at arm's length, a little above your head. It is the moon.
- Turn slowly in a circle and watch the lit part of the ball.
⚠ Grown-up help: Never shine the torch into anyone's eyes.
Predict: when the ball is between you and the torch, how much will be lit? Then test it.
| Where the ball is | What I saw |
|---|---|
| Between me and the torch | |
| To my side | |
| Behind me, away from the torch |
Draw your test
What I found
Signs Lab · Case 03 · Sky · Investigator ★★
- 1 Inspire
- 2 Investigate
- 3 Integrate
- 4 Impart
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Integrate
What does this show me about Allah? What should I do?
Which name of Allah does this remind you of? Circle one.
The ayah talks about the moon's stages and counting years. How could your moon diary help you count a month?
Draw it too, if you like
My plan
When? ____________________ Where? ____________________
Impart
Who can I tell or show?
Teach someone why the moon changes shape, using the torch and the ball.
I told:
They signed:
Case closed! Same verse, new me: come back to this case one day and see what you notice now.