Read the passage. Your assignment is to use your science journal to keep track of the moon over the course of four weeks. Keeping daily moon journals will help you notice changes in the appearance of the moon. In your journals, note the time and date of each observation, sketch the moon if you can see it, and record as many details as you can about the moon and the sky. You should also write down any questions that come to mind. The due date for this assignment is May 1.

What is the author’s purpose for writing this passage?

to retell a story about the nighttime sky
to give directions for a homework activity
to teach students about the moon’s phases
to entertain students with a classroom story