Mississippi Science E.5.8B.2
The Standard
- E.5.8B
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles that govern moon phases, day and night, appearance of objects in the sky, and seasonal changes.
Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to analyze the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, solar and lunar eclipses, and seasons.
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 a Sun, Earth, and Moon model to explain the repeating Moon phases and when eclipses can happen. They use Earth’s tilt to explain changes in daylight and sunlight through the year.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students predict a full or new Moon from its position in a model. They show which object blocks sunlight during each eclipse. They explain why summer days are longer and the midday Sun is higher.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Earth’s shadow causes every Moon phase. They may expect an eclipse every month because they miss the tilt of the Moon’s orbit. Some think summer happens because Earth is closer to the Sun.
How to Assess It
- Give students a sketch with Earth’s north pole tilted toward the Sun and the Moon directly between Earth and Sun. Ask them to name the possible eclipse, identify the Northern Hemisphere season, and explain why ordinary Moon phases are not Earth’s shadow.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Use a lamp and two foam balls as the Sun, Earth, and Moon; have students move the Moon to model phases and eclipses.
Show January and July Earth sketches; ask students to write why Northern Hemisphere summer days are longer.
Give pairs Sun, Earth, and Moon position cards to sort into new Moon, full Moon, solar eclipse, and lunar eclipse.
Use a printed local sunrise and sunset chart for January and June; calculate daylight hours and explain the difference using Earth’s tilt.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- E.5.8B.3
Develop and use models to explain the factors (e.g., tilt, revolution, and angle of sunlight) that result in Earth's seasonal changes.
- E.2.8.6
Create a model that will demonstrate the observable pattern of motion of the Sun or Moon. Use an engineering design process to define the problem, design, const...
- E.5.8A.1
Develop and use scaled models of Earth's solar system to demonstrate the size, composition (i.e., rock or gas), location, and order of the planets as they orbit...
- E.6.8.6
Design models representing motions within the Sun-Earth-Moon system to explain phenomena observed from the Earth’s surface (positions of celestial bodies, day a...
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