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Science lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 30 minutes

The life cycle of stars

Space

CCSS NGSS.HS-ESS1-1CCSS NGSS.HS-ESS1-3England: KS3 Physics: Space physicsEngland: KS4 Physics: Space physics (separate science)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: The life cycle of stars.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: The scale of the universe

Leads to: The expanding universe and the Big Bang

Materials: Torch and ball for a Sun-Earth-Moon model, Space images, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (The scale of the universe). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. The Sun is about 150 000 000 km away. Light travels at about 300 000 km/s. How many seconds does sunlight take to reach Earth? → 500 sPrompt: time = distance ÷ speed
  2. Which is the nearest star to Earth? (Sirius / Proxima Centauri / the Sun / the North Star (Polaris)) → the SunPrompt: You see it every day.
  3. What keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun? (wind / magnetism / friction / gravity) → gravityPrompt: The Sun has a huge mass.

Hook · 3 min

  • Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
  • Share the objective: The life cycle of stars. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: In the life cycle of a star much more massive than the Sun, what comes straight after "nebula"?
  • Step 1: nebula → protostar → main sequence star → red supergiant → supernova → neutron star or black hole
  • Step 2: So the answer is: protostar
  • Answer: protostar
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. In the life cycle of a star like the Sun, what comes straight after "main sequence star"? (protostar / red giant / white dwarf / nebula (cloud of dust and gas)) → red giantPrompt: The Sun is in its main sequence stage now.
  2. Where were elements heavier than iron made? (by plants / in supernova explosions and neutron-star collisions / in ordinary fires / in the Earth's oceans) → in supernova explosions and neutron-star collisionsPrompt: Huge energies are needed.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. What process releases energy in the core of a star? (burning coal / nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium / chemical reactions with oxygen / nuclear fission of uranium) → nuclear fusion of hydrogen into heliumPrompt: Small nuclei join together to make bigger ones.
  2. In the life cycle of a star much more massive than the Sun, what comes straight after "red supergiant"? (protostar / main sequence star / nebula / supernova) → supernovaPrompt: Very massive stars end their lives far more violently than the Sun.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: The scale of the universe.
  • Use concrete materials: torch and ball for a sun-earth-moon model.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: The expanding universe and the Big Bang.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-10.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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The life cycle of stars

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Where were elements heavier than iron made?

    • A. by plants
    • B. in the Earth's oceans
    • C. in ordinary fires
    • D. in supernova explosions and neutron-star collisions

  2. Question 2

    In the life cycle of a star like the Sun, what comes straight after "protostar"?

    • A. white dwarf
    • B. main sequence star
    • C. nebula (cloud of dust and gas)
    • D. red giant

  3. Question 3

    In the life cycle of a star like the Sun, what comes straight after "red giant"?

    • A. protostar
    • B. white dwarf
    • C. nebula (cloud of dust and gas)
    • D. main sequence star

  4. Question 4

    What will the Sun become at the end of its life?

    • A. a supernova
    • B. a planet
    • C. a black hole
    • D. a white dwarf

  5. Question 5

    In the life cycle of a star like the Sun, what comes straight after "main sequence star"?

    • A. white dwarf
    • B. nebula (cloud of dust and gas)
    • C. protostar
    • D. red giant

  6. Question 6

    What process releases energy in the core of a star?

    • A. nuclear fission of uranium
    • B. burning coal
    • C. nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium
    • D. chemical reactions with oxygen

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Answer key: The life cycle of stars

  1. 1. D. in supernova explosions and neutron-star collisions

  2. 2. B. main sequence star

  3. 3. B. white dwarf

  4. 4. D. a white dwarf

  5. 5. D. red giant

  6. 6. C. nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium