Milky Way Cause and Effect

This cause-and-effect worksheet supports students in Grades 5, 6, and 7 as they explore how motion within the Solar System leads to observable events such as seasons and eclipses. Through structured cause-and-effect chains, students analyze how Earth’s tilt, orbit, and positioning relative to the Sun and Moon create predictable patterns visible from Earth. The activity strengthens scientific reasoning, sequencing, and comprehension by helping learners connect cosmic motion to everyday astronomical phenomena.

Learning Goals

• Astronomical Cause and Effect (Grades 5-7) – Explain how planetary motion produces seasons and eclipses
• Planetary Motion Understanding – Describe the roles of tilt, orbit, and alignment
• Sequencing & Logic – Complete cause-and-effect chains in the correct scientific order
• Scientific Reasoning – Connect large-scale cosmic movements to observable Earth patterns

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with Earth and space science and ELA standards
• Structured Cause-and-Effect Format – Supports clear, step-by-step reasoning
• Visualizing Complex Systems – Helps students understand interconnected astronomical processes
• Flexible Use – Ideal for science units, review lessons, formative assessments, or homeschool study

This astronomy worksheet helps students build a deeper understanding of how motion within the Solar System shapes natural cycles we experience on Earth. By linking causes and effects, learners strengthen logical thinking and scientific literacy while gaining insight into seasons, eclipses, and planetary behavior. It’s a no-prep resource for both classroom and homeschool settings that supports comprehension of complex systems through clear, structured reasoning.

This worksheet is part of our The Solar System collection.