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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 60 minutes

The scale of the universe

Space

CCSS NGSS.MS-ESS1-2CCSS NGSS.MS-ESS1-3CCSS NGSS.5-ESS1-1England: KS3 Physics: Space physics

Objective and success criteria

Students will: The scale of the universe.

  • 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 planets of the solar system

Leads to: The life cycle of stars

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 · 6 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (The planets of the solar system). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which planet is known as the Red Planet? (Mars / Mercury / Jupiter / Venus) → MarsPrompt: Its surface is covered in iron oxide (rust) dust.
  2. Which planet is the hottest? (Mars / Jupiter / Mercury / Venus) → VenusPrompt: It is not the closest to the Sun, but it has a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere.
  3. What is Pluto classed as today? (a star / the ninth planet / a moon of Neptune / a dwarf planet) → a dwarf planetPrompt: It was reclassified in 2006.

Hook · 6 min

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

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: 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?
  • Step 1: 150000000 ÷ 300000 = 500
  • Step 2: That is about 8 minutes 20 seconds.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: 500 s
  • Answer: 500 s
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 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. Light travels about 300 000 km every second. How far does it travel in 5 seconds, in km? → 1500000 kmPrompt: distance = speed × time
  2. What is a light-year? (a very bright year / the distance light travels in one year / the time it takes to orbit the Sun / the time light takes to reach the Moon) → the distance light travels in one yearPrompt: Despite its name, it measures distance.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. What is the Milky Way? (a moon of Jupiter / a constellation of seven stars / the galaxy that contains our solar system / a planet) → the galaxy that contains our solar systemPrompt: It contains hundreds of billions of stars.
  2. Light travels about 300 000 km every second. How far does it travel in 10 seconds, in km? → 3000000 kmPrompt: distance = speed × time

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 planets of the solar system.
  • 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 life cycle of stars.
  • 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-6.

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

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The scale of the universe

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    What is a light-year?

    • A. the distance light travels in one year
    • B. the time it takes to orbit the Sun
    • C. a very bright year
    • D. the time light takes to reach the Moon

  2. Question 2

    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?

    Answers

  3. Question 3

    What is the Milky Way?

    • A. the galaxy that contains our solar system
    • B. a moon of Jupiter
    • C. a constellation of seven stars
    • D. a planet

  4. Question 4

    Which is the nearest star to Earth?

    • A. Sirius
    • B. the Sun
    • C. Proxima Centauri
    • D. the North Star (Polaris)

  5. Question 5

    Light travels about 300 000 km every second. How far does it travel in 2 seconds, in km?

    Answerkm

  6. Question 6

    Light travels about 300 000 km every second. How far does it travel in 10 seconds, in km?

    Answerkm

  7. Question 7

    What keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun?

    • A. gravity
    • B. wind
    • C. magnetism
    • D. friction

  8. Question 8

    Light travels about 300 000 km every second. How far does it travel in 60 seconds, in km?

    Answerkm

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Answer key: The scale of the universe

  1. 1. A. the distance light travels in one year

  2. 2. 500 s

  3. 3. A. the galaxy that contains our solar system

  4. 4. B. the Sun

  5. 5. 600000 km

  6. 6. 3000000 km

  7. 7. A. gravity

  8. 8. 18000000 km