Predicting Tides

Move students from facts to prediction with this model-based tides reasoning worksheet for NGSS MS-ESS1-1 and grades 6-8. Instead of recalling definitions, students use the positions of the Moon, Sun, and Earth to predict where the high tides are, whether a phase makes spring or neap tides, and when the next tide will arrive.

Part 1 has students reason about the two tidal bulges, including the keystone far-side bulge. Part 2 connects each Moon phase to spring or neap tides in a fill-in table. Part 3 asks students to predict tide times using the 12-hour cycle and the 50-minute daily shift. Each part builds the model-based thinking the standard calls for.

A complete answer key with sample responses is included, and the sheet prints cleanly in black and white. It reuses the unit diagrams and pairs naturally with the readings and the graphing activity.

• Predict tides using the Sun-Moon-Earth model
• Answer key with sample responses
• Aligned to NGSS MS-ESS1-1, grades 6-8