Aiming for Deep and Enduring Understanding

Six Facets of Understanding Explanation Interpretation Application Perspective Empathy Self-Knowledge

Enduring Understanding: Understand how the relative movements of the Earth, moon, and sun account for the observed moon phases.

Example Activities Here are some examples that show how each facet can be used as the basis of a Stage 3 activity aligned with the enduring understanding.

Explanation Students use a light bulb (sun) and an orange (moon) to give an explanation of how the moon phases are formed from the perspective of Earth (their head).

Interpretation Students research historical explanations of the phases of the Moon (e.g. Aristotle, Plutarch, cultural stories, etc.).

Application Students are given Galileo’s original 1612 drawing of the phases of Venus. Using a light bulb and an orange, students verify these observations and document the relative positions of the sun, Venus, and Earth that produce these phases.

Perspective Students are shown a picture of the Earth from the moon when the Earth is in a waning gibbous phase and then they discuss the relationship of the sun-Earth-moon positions that account for Earth’s appearance.

Empathy Students consider the following scenario: A visitor from another planet, a female alien named Myrna, visited your school last weekend. Myrna’s planet has no moons orbiting it. Put yourself in Myrna’s place. What might it be like to live on a planet without a moon? How might life on Earth be different without a moon?

Self-Knowledge Students in small groups compare their postconception quiz with their preconception quiz and discuss how their answers changed.

Examining Units Look for Stage 3 activities that effectively use the six facets to promote deep and enduring understanding.