In 5th grade, students will utilize their prior knowledge from previous grades, especially 1st grade, to understand more complex material. 5th grade students will observe the patterns in the sky which have to do with multiple components; At different times of day the sun is arranged in a different location in the sky and selected stars are visible only at particular times throughout the year. This is the time when the students can develop an understanding for why patterns such as amount of light, where the sun is located in the sky, and seasonal differences in regards to space systems. They will also dive deeper in their observations and use those observations to display their findings graphically. 

(MG, VG)

1. Days are shorter in the fall and winter 
2. Days are longer in the spring and summer 
3. Stars other than the sun are visible at night

5th grade

1. Position and rotation of earth with respect to the sun.
2. Selected stars are visible only at particular times.
3.Measuring daylight from the time the sun rises in the morning, to when the sun sets in the evening.

(MG, MA)

This standard is closely connected with Next Generation Math Learning Standards: NY-5.G 1-2: Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems. Similarly, in fifth grade, according to comprehension and collaborating standard 5SL2: Summarize information presented in diverse formats (e.g., including visual, quantitative, and oral). Creating a graph to visualize their findings is interdisciplinary as the graphing skill component of our 5th grade science standards is related to expected learning outcomes of ELA and Math. Between 1st and 5th grade students’ capabilities of writing expand (both qualitatively and quantitatively) so they are better able to explain their reasoning. Students can create a coordinate plane with their data and later reflect in writing the significance of their data. In first grade, we hope that students will make meaningful observations about patterns in space systems, but in 5th grade we are hoping students will be able to collect data, graph their data on a coordinate plane, and interpret their data in writing. (GW)

Science spiralling of the space systems that is learned in first grade can be developed into fifth grade as the students are taking prior knowledge from what they have learned and are applying it to the new material being presented. It is important to master the concepts in the earlier grades, so that the student is prepared in the upper grades which will be much harder and not as easy to grasp the material that is presented.
(MA)

Prior to teaching this lesson to fifth graders. we would teach students the arrangement of the sun and the planets in our galaxy and their features. After teaching this lesson we would teach students how to observe patterns of shadows and then graphically display them again to reinforce their graphical skills.