The most common incorrect reason given for the cause of the Moon's phases is that we are seeing the shadow of the Earth on the Moon! But this not correct. The revolution of the Moon around the Earth makes the Moon appear as if the earth is creating a shadow. The Moon change is caused by the different angles from which we see the bright part of the Moon's surface.
These are called "phases" of the Moon. Of course, the Moon doesn't generate any light itself; it just reflects the light of the Sun. The Moon passes through four major shapes during a cycle that repeats itself every 29.5 days. The phases always follow one another in the same order.
The phases were understood as early as 500 BC by the Greeks.
Moon facts
The moon is actually moving away from earth at a rate of 1.5 inches per year.
The moon is not round, but egg shaped with the large end pointed towards earth.
The earth rotates about 1000 mph. By comparison, the moon rotates about 10 mph
When the moon rises:
The New Moon always rises at sunrise.
The first quarter at noon.
The Full Moon always rises at sunset.
And the last quarter at midnight