Oklahoma Science 5.ESS1.2

Science5th GradeEarth’s Place in the Universe

The Standard

Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in the length and direction of shadows, in addition to different positions of the Sun, Moon, and stars at different times of the day, month, and year.

Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science (2026)

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do: Students measure shadows at set times, then graph their lengths and record their compass directions. They plot where the Sun, Moon, and stars appear on sky diagrams from different times and dates.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can graph shadow lengths, draw their directions, and identify when the shadow is shortest. They can compare dated sky diagrams and describe how the Moon’s position and the stars visible at night change.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a shadow points toward the Sun rather than away from it. They may think the Moon appears only at night or that the same stars appear in the same place all year.
How to Assess It: Give students these shadow records: 9 a.m., 80 cm west; noon, 25 cm north; 3 p.m., 75 cm east. Have them graph length by time, draw a compass arrow for each shadow, and circle the shortest one.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

Mark a meter stick’s shadow with chalk at 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m.; measure each line and label its compass direction.
Give pairs star charts from two months and ask, “Which stars appear at 9 p.m. in both charts, and which appear in only one?”
Give groups six cards with a time, shadow length, and compass direction; have them race to plot the lengths and draw the arrows.
Plot a playground post’s shadow directions, then choose where to place a water bottle so the post shades it at noon.

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