Shadowing Practice: Phases of the Moon for Kids | Science for Elementary Students - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Okay, I'm getting everything ready for this lesson!
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Awesome! I can't wait because we get to talk about the moon again!
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I know we've done that already, but that video was about the moon in general.
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We want to have a whole video about the phases of the moon!
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The phases of the moon!
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Ever wonder why sometimes the moon looks like this, and you might think, "Hey, that's just what the moon looks like!" And other times, the moon might look like a complete circle.
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What's going on?
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Well, the moon goes through phases.
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And what do the phases do?
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The phases change what the moon looks like to us here on Earth!
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Here are the phases of the moon!
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If you count them, you'll see there are eight phases of the moon!
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These are the phases of the moon.
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Notice, in one phase you don't see the moon at all.
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And in another phase, you can see the entire moon!
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So, these eight phases have a big impact on what the moon looks like to us!
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Soon, you'll know all eight of them!
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Alright! Let's jump right in and learn these phases of the moon, starting with the first phase of the moon.
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It's called a new moon.
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If you're wondering where it is, join the club!
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It's actually right here, where the arrow is pointing.
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And notice, you can't see a new moon.
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That's right!
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It looks like it just isn't there!
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So why can't we see a new moon?
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Well, during a new moon the moon is in between the sun and the earth.
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Because of this, it can't reflect the sun's light toward us.
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So, during a new moon, we can't really see the moon.
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That's pretty interesting!
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Now, after a new moon the moon starts waxing.
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What? Yeah!
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Waxing! What is that supposed to mean?
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Well, waxing means growing.
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When the moon is waxing, it is getting bigger!
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Notice the moon begins waxing after a new moon and grows until it becomes a full moon.
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Waxing means growing.
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After a new moon, the moon continues waxing until it becomes a full moon.
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Just remember, waxing means growing!
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All right, we're ready for phase number two!
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And look at this two!
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So cool! So icy!
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So awesome!
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The second phase of the moon is called a waxing crescent.
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A waxing crescent!
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That's an interesting name for this!
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A waxing crescent.
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Waxing, of course, means that it is growing bigger.
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And it is called a crescent moon because less than half of the moon looks lit.
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If you live in the Northern Hemisphere , a waxing crescent is always lit on the right side.
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Hey! Check this out!
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Here is a photo of a waxing crescent!
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Less than half of the moon looks lit!
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If you live in the Northern Hemisphere , a waxing crescent is always lit on the right side.
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This crescent moon is waxing because it is growing.
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This is the phase of the moon after a new moon.
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Waxing crescent!
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Okay! You are ready for phase number three!
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That's right!
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The third phase of the moon is called first quarter.
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First quarter!
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Which, at first might seem a little weird!
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See, the moon is half-lit with a first quarter moon.
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So, what's the deal?
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Shouldn't first quarter be called one-half moon?
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Well, when you have a first quarter moon, you are one-fourth or one-quarter of the way through the lunar cycle.
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You can see all eight phases of the moon here.
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A first quarter moon tells you that you are a quarter of the way through all eight phases.
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So, a first quarter moon is half-lit.
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And, because the moon is still waxing in the Northern Hemisphere, the right side is lit.
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Exactly one-half of a first quarter moon is lit and it is lit on the right side because it is waxing.
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Alright, we are ready for the next phase!
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The next phase is called the waxing gibbous!
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Waxing gibbous!
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Wow! Weird name...
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weird name.
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A waxing gibbous is more than half-lit but not quite fully lit.
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It is the fourth phase of the moon.
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A waxing gibbous is more than half-lit and like all of the waxing moons, is lit on the right side.
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Here is a photograph of a waxing gibbous.
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Can you say that with me?
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Waxing gibbous!
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Softer. Waxing gibbous.
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Finally, let's say it so everyone can hear it!
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Waxing gibbous!
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Great! The cool thing about a waxing gibbous moon is that when you see it you know a full moon is on its way!
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And sure enough, phase number five is....
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wait...Mr. Whiskers?
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You need to eat right now?
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Mr. Whiskers...this is not a convenient time!
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We're about to talk about a full moon and everything!
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Okay! I understand!
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No kitty should wait!
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All right!
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There you go!
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There you go...
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Now, where were we?
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Oh yes! Phase number five of the moon!
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Enjoy, Mr. Whiskers!
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Phase number five!
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The fifth phase is a full moon!
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It is the easiest phase to spot.
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A full moon is completely lit!
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It is a full circle.
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Is there anything else to say about it?
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It's full! It's a full moon.
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And once the moon is full, it is all done waxing because it can't grow anymore!
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It's done waxing!
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Which means, it will look like the moon is getting smaller and smaller.
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The fancy moon word for that is waning.
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Waning! That's an interesting word!
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Waning! The moon always begins waning after a full moon, but just like waxing, waning is a process!
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It doesn't happen all at once.
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Okay, so the moon begins waning after a full moon.
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It starts waning until finally, you can't even see it anymore!
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When you can't see the moon, remember that is a new moon .
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Waning starts with a full moon and ends with a new moon.
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When the moon is waning it looks like it is getting smaller and smaller.
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Now, after a full moon, we have phase number six.
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A waning gibbous!
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Wow! A waning gibbous!
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As you can see, a waning gibbous is similar to a waxing gibbous.
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Instead of getting bigger every day, it is waning .
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A waning gibbous is more than half-lit, and in the Northern Hemisphere it is lit on the left side, instead of the right side!
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That tells you that this is a waning gibbous.
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It is getting smaller and smaller.
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Next, we have the seventh phase of the moon!
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You know, the easiest way to learn the seventh phase might be to look at it with the other phases.
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Here are all eight phases of the moon!
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The seventh phase is right here.
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It is called the last quarter.
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The last quarter means you only have a quarter of the lunar cycle left!
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A quarter means one-fourth.
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You are in the last quarter of the lunar cycle when you have a last quarter moon.
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So, that name makes sense!
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Just like a first quarter moon, a last quarter moon is half-lit.
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But, because the moon is waning during a last quarter moon, the moon is lit on the left side.
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Quarter moons are always half-lit.
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If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, the last quarter is always lit on the left side.
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Well, the moon has been waning .
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There's only one more phase before we start the cycle all over again!
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That's right!
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We are on phase number eight!
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The last phase of the moon is a waning crescent.
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A waning crescent!
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A waning crescent is less than half-lit.
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All crescent moons are less than half-lit.
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To figure out if a crescent moon is a waning or waxing crescent moon, just look at the side it is lit on.
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Waning moons are always lit on the left side, so a waning crescent is less than half-lit and is lit on the left side .
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Those are all eight phases of the moon!
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Pretty cool!
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If you have a favorite, you won't have to wait long before you see it, because it only takes a month for the moon to go through all eight phases!
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That means all of this just takes one month!
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That's pretty awesome!
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That's pretty cool!
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All right, you know what?
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It's time for a game!
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We're gonna see how much we learned about the phases of the moon!
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Let's call it...uh...
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the Faces of the Moon Game!
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Yeah! That's a good name for it!
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Are you ready to play?
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Okay! Ooh! Fancy music!
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We'll go in order, just like in nature!
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What is this phase called?
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Yes! A new moon!
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Fantastic! And of course, you can't see a new moon.
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It's like it's hiding!
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What is this phase called?
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Uh-huh! A waxing crescent!
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Crescent moons are less than half-lit and this moon is lit on the right side, so it must be a waxing crescent!
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Great job! Hmm...what is this phase called?
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It's half-lit.
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Yeah! First quarter!
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This is a first quarter moon!
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Very cool! How about this moon?
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What is this phase called?
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A waxing gibbous!
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A waxing gibbous!
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Yep! A gibbous moon is more than half-lit, but is not quite full yet!
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And we know it is a waxing gibbous because it is lit on the right side!
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Great! What is this next phase?
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What is it called?
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You got it!
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A full moon!
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A full moon is easy to spot in the night sky!
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It is completely lit!
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A full moon!
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You are doing awesome!
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How about this next phase?
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What is this phase?
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Uh-huh! A waning gibbous!
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That's right!
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A waning gibbous!
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After a full moon, the moon begins waning .
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A waning gibbous is more than half-lit, just like a waxing gibbous, but is lit on the left side!
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You are doing a tremendous job!
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Let's try this one!
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What is this phase called?
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Do you remember?
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Yeah! Last quarter!
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This is a last quarter moon!
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It is half-lit and begins the last quarter of the lunar cycle.
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A last quarter moon!
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How about this last one?
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What is this phase called?
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Great! A waning crescent!
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A waning crescent!
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It is less than half-lit, which is what makes it a crescent moon, and it is lit on the left side.
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So, it is waning!
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Every month the moon goes through all of the phases!
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The moon goes around and around, waxing and waning!
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It's pretty amazing!
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Well, you know all eight phases of the moon!
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Tell your friends!
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Tell a dog!
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Tell a cat!
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Tell a hamster!
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Whatever! Just tell someone, because it's pretty cool!
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It's pretty cool that you know all eight phases of the moon!
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We always love to thank our patrons for making videos like this possible!
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You can click the link below and get cool tattoos or visit HomeschoolPop.com!
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Thank you for learning about the phases of the moon with us!
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We hope you had a ton of fun!
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You are SO awesome and we hope to see you next video!

Context & Background

In this engaging educational video, the speaker introduces elementary students to the fascinating concept of the phases of the moon. With enthusiasm and clarity, the speaker explains why the moon appears differently at various times, igniting curiosity and encouraging young learners to explore this astronomical phenomenon. By using simple language and relatable examples, the speaker aims to make complex scientific ideas accessible to kids, making it an ideal subject for English learners seeking both language skills and scientific knowledge.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “The phases of the moon!” - A simple yet essential phrase to introduce the topic.
  • “Waxing means growing.” - A clear definition that can be useful in everyday chats about changes.
  • “We can't really see the moon.” - This phrase highlights observation, fostering discussions on visibility and perspective.
  • “Notice, you can't see a new moon at all.” - Engaging language that encourages inquiries about visibility in various contexts.
  • “Look, it’s called a waxing crescent!” - Exciting language that enhances enthusiasm and invites learners to share what they've discovered.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To enhance your English speaking practice using this video, consider following this structured shadowing guide:

  1. Start with the transcript: Read through the key phrases listed above and familiarize yourself with their meanings and contexts.
  2. Listen actively: Play the video and pay close attention to how the speaker pronounces each word and phrase related to the moon phases. Noting the speaker's intonation and rhythm will be crucial for your own practice.
  3. Shadow the speaker: As you listen, repeat the phrases immediately after the speaker. This technique helps improve English pronunciation. Aim to mimic the tone and pace as closely as possible, ideally in a shadowing site where similar content is available.
  4. Record yourself: Use your device to capture your voice while shadowing the video. Listen to the recording and compare it to the original video. This helps in identifying areas for improvement.
  5. Practice regularly: Incorporate these phrases into your spoken English. Use them in conversations or during IELTS speaking practice to gain confidence and comfort in their application.

By using this focused approach to shadow speak, you will not only grasp scientific vocabulary but also enhance your overall English communication skills, making it easier to engage in discussions about topics like astronomy and beyond.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.