MS-ESS1-1 | Earth-Sun-Moon Cycles · NYS standard

Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the Sun and moon, and seasons.

Clarification statement: Examples of models could include physical, graphical, or conceptual models.

Grade 8 Science Test Questions

No released Grade 8 science test questions for MS-ESS1-1 have been added to the wiki yet.

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Vocabulary

Terms from the Middle School Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 8 Science Test questions that assess it.

From this standard

apparent motion
axis
conceptual model
cycle
cyclic pattern
Earth-Sun-Moon system
eclipse
graphical model
intensity of sunlight
lunar eclipse
lunar phase
model
orbit
phase of the Moon
physical model
season
solar eclipse
solar system
spin axis
star
sunlight
tilt

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-ESS1-1 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Use a given model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to describe why seasons or the changing Moon’s appearance are cyclic in nature.

Level 2: Use a given model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to describe the cyclic pattern of either lunar phases, eclipses of the Sun and Moon, or seasons.

Level 3: Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun- Moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and seasons.

Level 4: Develop and use multiple models of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to explain why the patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and seasons are cyclic.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-ESS1-1.

This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-ESS1-1 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models
- Develop and use a model to describe phenomena.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars
- Patterns of the apparent motion of the Sun, the Moon, and stars in the sky can be observed, described, predicted, and explained with models.
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System
- This model of the solar system can explain eclipses of the sun and the moon. Earth’s spin axis is fixed in direction over the short-term but tilted relative to its orbit around the sun. The seasons are a result of that tilt and are caused by the differential intensity of sunlight on different areas of Earth across the year.

Crosscutting Concepts

Patterns
- Patterns can be used to identify cause and effect relationships.

Page contributors: Caroline Leonard, Conrad Richman, Shirley Shameen

MS | MS. Space Systems