Moon Phase and Tide Match

This science reading and matching worksheet supports students in Grades 5, 6, and 7 as they explore how Moon phases affect ocean tides. Students read a short explanatory passage about lunar alignment and gravitational forces, then match Moon phases-New, Full, First Quarter, and Third Quarter-to their corresponding tide types, Spring or Neap. The activity strengthens reading comprehension, scientific reasoning, and understanding of how the Sun and Moon interact to influence tidal strength. An extension prompt challenges learners to explain why the Sun’s position can amplify or weaken tidal effects.

Learning Goals

• Moon Phases & Tides (Grades 5-7) – Identify which Moon phases produce spring tides and neap tides
• Reading for Specific Information – Use details from an informational passage to make accurate matches
• Gravitational Interactions – Explain how alignment and right-angle positioning affect tidal strength
• Scientific Explanation – Describe the Sun’s role in strengthening or reducing tides

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with Earth and space science and ELA standards
• Clear Matching Format – Reinforces comprehension through structured comparison
• Conceptual Extension Question – Encourages deeper reasoning about celestial alignment
• Flexible Use – Ideal for science units, review lessons, formative assessment, or homeschool study

This Moon phase and tide worksheet helps students build a clear understanding of how lunar cycles influence ocean behavior. By matching phases to tide types and explaining gravitational relationships, learners strengthen scientific literacy, reading skills, and cause-and-effect reasoning. It’s a simple, no-prep resource for both classroom and homeschool settings that supports meaningful learning about Earth-Moon-Sun systems.

This worksheet is part of our Tides and Their Relation to the Moon collection.