Mississippi Science E.6.8.2
The Standard
- E.6.8
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s place in the universe and the interactions of the solar system (sun, planets, their moons, comets, and asteroids) using evidence from multiple scientific resources to explain how these objects are held in orbit around the Sun because of its gravitational pull.
Use graphical displays or models to explain the hierarchical structure (stars, galaxies, galactic clusters) of the universe.
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 drawing or model to show stars within galaxies and galaxies grouped in clusters. They explain the levels from smallest to largest.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can draw a star inside a galaxy and several galaxies inside a cluster. They can use the drawing to explain what each level contains.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may call the Milky Way a star or think a galaxy cluster is a group of individual stars. They may draw all three levels side by side instead of showing how they fit together.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Draw one star inside a galaxy and that galaxy beside a second galaxy inside a cluster. Label all three levels and explain your drawing in one sentence.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups star cards, galaxy envelopes, cluster folders, and a universe sheet; have them nest the pieces and label each level.
Ask, 'Why is a galaxy cluster not just a large galaxy?' Students answer with a labeled sketch showing where stars go.
Give pairs three nesting diagrams, one correct and two with swapped levels; they find the correct diagram and fix the others.
Show a NASA image of the Coma Cluster; students circle two galaxies and explain why individual stars inside them are not visible.
Free download
Printable E.6.8.2 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to E.6.8.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- E.5.8A
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the locations of objects in the universe.
- E.3.9.1
Develop models to communicate the characteristics of the Earth's major systems, including the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere (e.g., digital m...
- 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...
- P.3.5.2
Develop and use models to communicate the concept that matter is made of particles too small to be seen that move freely around in space (e.g., inflation and sh...
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson