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.
- What is Pluto classed as today? (a star / a moon of Neptune / a dwarf planet / the ninth planet) → a dwarf planetPrompt: It was reclassified in 2006.
- Which is the largest planet in our solar system? (Saturn / Jupiter / Earth / Neptune) → JupiterPrompt: It is a gas giant with a Great Red Spot.
- Which planets are the rocky (terrestrial) planets? (all eight / Earth and Pluto / Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars / Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune) → Mercury, Venus, Earth and MarsPrompt: They are the four closest to the Sun.
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.
- 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
- What keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun? (friction / wind / magnetism / gravity) → gravityPrompt: The Sun has a huge mass.
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.
- What keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun? (magnetism / gravity / friction / wind) → gravityPrompt: The Sun has a huge mass.
- Light travels about 300 000 km every second. How far does it travel in 5 seconds, in km? → 1500000 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