Mississippi Science E.5.8A.3

Science5th GradeEarth and Space Science

The Standard

E.5.8A: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the locations of objects in the universe.

Describe how constellations appear to move from Earth’s perspective throughout the seasons (e.g., Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and Orion).

2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Earth and the Universe

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students compare sky charts from the same evening hour in different seasons. They describe when Orion is visible and how Ursa Major and Ursa Minor appear to change position. They connect these patterns to Earth's path around the Sun.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can find Orion on a winter evening chart and explain why it is missing from a summer evening chart. They can track Ursa Major's changing position and find Ursa Minor near the northern sky across the seasons.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think the stars rearrange into new shapes each season. They may think Orion disappears from space in summer, rather than leaving the evening sky. Some expect Ursa Minor to keep the same orientation all year.
How to Assess It: Give students January and July sky charts for 8 p.m. Ask them to circle Orion and Ursa Minor where visible, then explain why Orion appears on only one chart.

Lesson moves

Place an Orion card beyond a lamp, then move a globe around the lamp to compare which stars face Earth's night side.
Show January and July 8 p.m. sky charts and ask, 'Why does Orion appear on one chart but not the other?'
Give pairs four seasonal 8 p.m. sky charts and have them label Orion, Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor wherever visible.
Compare December and June evening sky charts to choose when to invite family outside to spot Orion.

Keep exploring

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