Mississippi Science E.2.8.5
The Standard
- E.2.8
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the appearance, movements, and patterns of the sun, moon, and stars.
Use informational text and other media to observe, describe, and predict the visual patterns of motion of the Sun (sunrise, sunset) and Moon (phases).
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Earth and the Universe
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use pictures and short texts to track where the Sun appears at sunrise and sunset. They put Moon pictures in order and predict which shape comes next.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can put sunrise, midday, and sunset pictures in order and say sunrise comes again the next day. Given a sequence of Moon pictures, they can sketch the next lit shape and explain their choice.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students think the Sun turns off at sunset or the Moon appears only at night. Others think clouds cause the Moon's changing shape.
How to Assess It
- Give students two picture strips: sunrise, midday, sunset, and a crescent, half Moon, nearly full Moon. Ask them to draw what comes next in each strip and explain why.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs sunrise, midday, and sunset photo cards to sort, then have them order crescent, half, and full Moon photos.
Show a short sunrise-to-sunset time-lapse; ask, 'Where does the Sun appear to move, and what would you see tomorrow morning?'
Play 'What's Next?' with dated Moon photos; pause after three and have students draw the next lit shape.
Show tomorrow's local sunset time on a weather page; ask when to turn on a porch light and why.
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Printable E.2.8.5 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to E.2.8.5, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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- E.2.8
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the appearance, movements, and patterns of the sun, moon, and stars.
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