Name __________________________________________ Date ________________________ Period _____
Tides
Standard: MS-ESS1-1. Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to describe the cyclic
patterns of lunar phases, tides, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.
Objective: Today I will be able to use the Earth-Moon-Sun model to explain how low and high tides are
affected by the phases of the moon.
Part A: Think About It (Independent)
Thinking Questions: Annotate the Text: CATCH Annotations
1. In my own words, tides are... Criteria for Success: A LEVEL 4 will do all of the
following:
• Circle: Have 2-3 unknown/confusing words
circled and defined/synonym
2. The moon has a greater effect on tides because … • Ask/ T alk: Annotations (questions and
interesting points) throughout text
Ask Questions/Talk to Text
! Twasalk:interesting
Write ONE ! and write what
about it/new to
3. How many high tides and low tides happen everyday? you.
? Aquestion
sk: Write ONE ? and write the
you have about it,
something you were confused
about, what is confusing about it.
4. A spring tide is… and it occurs ... * Write your comments and questions in the margin.
● C:Write prepped answers/summaries in
complete sentences and in your own words:
● Highlight: ONLY key points are highlighted
5. A neap tide is ...and it occurs ... (not entire paragraphs)
Tides
Tides are the daily rise and fall of sea level at any given place. The pull of the Moon’s gravity on Earth
is the primary cause of tides and the pull of the Sun’s gravity on Earth is the secondary cause (Figure
below). The Moon has a greater effect on tides because, although it is much smaller than the Sun, it is
much closer. The Moon’s pull is about twice that of the Sun’s.The gravity of the Sun also pulls Earth’s
water towards it and causes its own tides. Because the Sun is so far away, its pull is smaller than the Moon’s.
To understand the tides it is easiest to start with the effect of the Moon on Earth. As the Moon revolves around our planet, its
gravity pulls Earth toward it. The lithosphere is unable to move much, but the water is pulled by the gravity and a bulge is created.
This bulge is the high tide beneath the Moon. On the other side of the Earth, a high tide is produced where the Moon’s pull is
weakest. These two water bulges on opposite sides of the Earth aligned with the Moon are the high tides. The places directly in
between the high tides are low tides. As the Earth rotates beneath the Moon, a single place will experience two high tides and two
low tides approximately every day.
The Moon reaches above the same spot over the Earth every 24 hours and 50 minutes so high tides occur twice a day, with
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Name __________________________________________ Date ________________________ Period _____
one arriving each 12 hours and 25 minutes. One is caused by the water bulge beneath the Moon and the other is caused by the
water bulge at the opposite side of Earth. Low tides are also separated by 12 hours and 25 minutes.
When the moon is full or new, the gravitational pull of the moon and sun are combined. At these times, the high tides are very
high and the low tides are very low. This is known as a spring high tide. Spring tides are especially strong tides (they do not have
anything to do with the season Spring). They occur when the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon are in a line. The gravitational forces of
the Moon and the Sun both contribute to the tides. Spring tides occur during the full moon and the new moon.
During the moon's quarter phases the sun and moon work at right angles, causing the bulges to cancel each other. The
result is a smaller difference between high and low tides and is known as a neap tide. Neap tides are especially weak tides. They
occur when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are perpendicular to one another (with respect to the Earth). Neap
tides occur during quarter moons.
Part B: Exploration Virtual Lab
Manager:
1. Go to the following link and set up your simulation as follows: Tides Lab
2. Click and pause it for each of the following time intervals
3. Draw and record the data in your handout or each of the indicated date intervals
Timekeeper:
1. Keep track of time as follows and give progress checks to group members
a. 2-3 minutes for New Moon Section: Your group’s time: ____________
b. 2-3 minutes for First Quarter Section: Your group’s time: ____________
c. 2-3 minutes for Full Moon Section: Your group’s time: ____________
d. 2-3 minutes for Last Quarter Section: Your group’s time: ____________
e. 2-3 minutes for Data Table Your group’s time: ____________
f. 3 minutes Analysis Questions (independent) Your group’s time: ____________
g. 3 minutes Analysis Questions (group discussion) Your group’s time: ____________
Recorder:
1. Make sure all members are filling out and completing their data tables and drawings.
2. Raise your hand when you complete PART E so Ms. Paredes can check you off here : Paredes sign: ______
Leader:
1. Ensure ALL members are on task, supportive, and kind to one another. Lead your group discussion. Fill out
checklist below:
Recorder Name: Timekeeper Name: Manager Name: Leader Name:
_______________ ________________ ________________ _______________
Member PARTICIPATED and stayed ON TASK Circle one choice: Circle one choice: Circle one choice: Circle one choice:
AT ALL TIMES during the discussion? 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4
Member was KIND and RESPECTFUL to other Circle one choice: Circle one choice: Circle one choice: Circle one choice:
members at all times? 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4
What OVERALL SCORE would you give this Circle one choice: Circle one choice: Circle one choice: Circle one choice:
member? Explain your reasoning. 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4
Explain: Explain: Explain: Explain:
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Name __________________________________________ Date ________________________ Period _____
Part C: Tides Pete’s Pier Highlight the highest tide and lowest tide for each moon phase (7 min)
Date Phase of the First Low Tide First High Second Low Second High
Moon and Draw it Tide Tide Tide
example: New Moon Time: _______ Time: _______ Time: _______ Time: _______
April 7
meters: _____ meters: _____ meters: _____ meters: _____
April 14 First Quarter Time: _______ Time: _______ Time: _______ Time: _______
meters: _____ meters: _____ meters: _____ meters: _____
April 22 Full Moon Time: _______ Time: _______ Time: _______ Time: _______
meters: _____ meters: _____ meters: _____ meters: _____
April 29 Last Quarter Time: _______ Time: _______ Time: _______ Time: _______
meters: _____ meters: _____ meters: _____ meters: _____
Part D: Data Table
1. Once you highlight the highest tide and the lowest tide for each moon phase, enter the values in
the data table here.
2. Enter these values in the Table of the simulation
Lowest Tide Highest Tide
New Moon
First Quarter
Full Moon
Last Quarter
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Name __________________________________________ Date ________________________ Period _____
Part E: Analysis (INDEPENDENTLY Write down your answers) 3 MIN
1. Why does the moon change phases?
________________________________________________________________
2. What is the alignment of the Earth, sun and moon in a NEW MOON?
________________________________________________________________
3. What is the alignment of the Earth, sun and moon in a FULL MOON?
________________________________________________________________
4. What did you observe happening to the tides as you changed the moon phases?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
5. Based on my data, what correlation do you see between the moon phases and the lowest
tide? What correlation do you see between the moon phases and the highest tide?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________.
Part F: Leader Group Discussion (NO WRITING, TALKING ONLY 3 MIN)
Discuss your responses and explain how are the phases of the moon related to low and high tides?
Make sure to use your data as evidence to support your claim.
Part G: Claim Rubric
Skill 3 2 1 0
✔++ ✔+ ✔ ✔-
Claim I have a clear and My claim answers the question I have a claim but it is My claim is unclear or does
accurate claim that about the relationship between unclear or does not fully not answer the question
answers the question moon phases and tides AND is answer the question about the relationship
about the relationship accurate based on the data. about the relationship between moon phases and
between moon phases and tides
between moon phases
tides
and tides AND uses
specific data as evidence
to support claim.
Summarize your group discussion: How are the phases of the moon related to low and high
tides? Make sure to use your data as evidence to support your claim.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
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Name __________________________________________ Date ________________________ Period _____
Extension: Graphing High Tides
Directions: The chart below shows the height of high tide at Sun Valley, California over
the course of a month. It also shows the phase of the Moon on each date.
1. Fill out your scales with the dates on the x-axis (side-to-side) and feet on the y-axis (up and down).
2. Make a line graph of the high tides.
3. Fill in the circles at the top of your graph with the phase of the Moon for each date.
Date Height of High Tide (feet) Phase of the Moon
2/11/17 3.9 feet New Moon
2/14/17 3.6 feet Waxing crescent
2/17/17 2.4 feet First Quarter
2/20/17 2.9 feet Waxing Gibbous
2/24/17 3.5 feet Full Moon
2/26/17 3.2 feet Waning Gibbous
Paredes sign: ______
