2016 Volume 57 Issue 2 Pages 95-102
The cycle of waxing and waning of the moon is taught in the sixth grade science curriculum in elementary school, as well as third year science in junior high school in Japan. In elementary school, the cycle is taught based on a “geocentric theory”, while in junior high school it is taught based on a “heliocentric theory”. Aiba (2015) indicated certain instructional problems in elementary school science when teaching the cycle of waxing and waning of the moon, and contrived a teaching material. This paper focuses on the issues that have risen from teaching the cycle of the moon in junior high school science, using a heliocentric theory viewpoint. By conducting a survey to analyze current science textbooks, some instructional problems emerged. In order to solve the problems, the author developed a teaching instrument for junior high school, which is teaching the cycle of waxing and waning of the moon, and recommends adopting a “heliocentric theory” in elementary school science.
