My Word Cloud and Writing about the Moon. (Including Self-Assess)

In Week 6 of Term 2 our class focussed on how to write great explanations.We wrote about the Moon’s different phases as we are in the middle of learning about Planet Earth and Beyond. Learning how to write a great explanation will help us with our self-guided topics in a few weeks time. Here is my writing, after I have self-assessed and peer-assessed my work.

INTRODUCTION

If you are wondering why the Moon changes every night, the reason is that the Sun’s light reflects onto the Moon and creates the different phases that we see.  In my explanation, I will talk about the orbit of the Moon around the Earth as the earth rotates on it’s axis as it orbits around the sun.

1st PARAGRAPH

The Sun’s light shines onto the Moon’s surface and when the Moon orbits the earth we see more or less of the of the illuminated side every night so that makes the phases of the Moon. Furthermore, the names of the phases of the Moon (in order) are: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter the Waning Crescent then the cycle repeats.

2nd PARAGRAPH

The Moon takes around 27.3 days to orbit the sun but since the earth orbits the sun and is moving at the same time it takes around about 2 more days to get back to the same spot it was before. Some think that the phases of the moon are caused by the shadows of the earth, but the phases are actually caused by the sun's light it reflects.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, the shadows and light of the moon are not generated by the moon. The phases are caused by the moon reflecting light from the sun and us seeing less of the illuminated side as the moon orbits us, changing our perspective to make the phases. (Fun Fact) Did you know that people once thought the moon was made of cheese? I hope this explanation encouraged you to write your own.

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My Explanation Success Criteria:	Self	Peer
My heading:
is the question WHY DOES THE MOON LOOK DIFFERENT EVERY NIGHT?	X
My opening paragraph/introduction:
introduce what my writing is about in a clear way	X
hooks the reader	X
clear topic sentence and supporting sentences	X
2-3 sentences maximum	X
My main paragraphs/body paragraphs:
clear topic sentence and supporting sentences	X
are organised so that each paragraph is about a different aspect of the subject	X
give detailed information (factual descriptions)	X
include specific, technical vocabulary	X
are generally balanced (have a similar amount of detail about the different aspects I write about)	X
connectives and time connectives	X
descriptive language	X
formal language	X
My end paragraph/conclusion:
draws the report together/sums up my main points	X
may give a personal opinion; ask the reader a question and/or tell the reader where further information may be found	X
write an interesting fact	X