Lesson 7: A Star, Some Planets and More!

 Preparation

Equipment

• Research materials

 Lesson Plan

Tuning In

• Ask the class to recall what solar system objects have been studied thus far. Revise the previous lessons on the sun, Earth and the planets. As a class, brainstorm any other objects or celestial bodies in the solar system. Record the students' suggestions on the board.
• Introduce the statement to be investigated: The solar system is composed of more than just the sun and planets.
• Watch the video Solar System 101 in its entirety (note: content ends at 3:53). Encourage the students to take notes.

Teacher Instruction

• After the video, discuss the main points regarding other objects/regions of the solar system and write them on the board. Ensure students have the information recorded in their notebooks.
  • Asteroid belt - a flat disc of rocky objects orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter
  • Ceres - a dwarf planet located in the asteroid belt
  • Kuiper belt - a flat disc of rocks and ice that orbits beyond Neptune
  • Pluto -  a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper belt
  • Comets - balls of ice that are pulled towards and around the sun, originating from the Kuiper belt and beyond.

Guided/Independent Learning

• Distribute the What About Me? Other Objects and Regions of the Solar System Worksheet. Read through the task with the students and check they understand the instructions. Discuss and demonstrate how to conduct the research.
• Monitor and support the students as they work through the activity. The task can be completed by students individually, in small groups or as a jigsaw activity, with research topics either chosen independently or allocated by the teacher.

Wrapping Up

• Gather the class together. Discuss and check the information collected for each of the objects and regions. Refer to the statement being investigated and decide whether it is true or false, using the information collected in the activity to support or refute it.
• Add the words asteroid belt, Ceres, Kuiper belt, Pluto and comet to the Solar System Word Wall.
• Collect the students’ worksheets. These could be included in a portfolio of work samples and used to assess the students’ understanding of the unit objectives.

 Differentiation

Extending Students

• Encourage more capable students to research a 'famous' comet and explain its journey through the solar system.

Supporting Students

• Less confident students can work in small groups with adult assistance.

 Assessment Strategies

Suggested Assessment Strategies

• used strategic whole class or individual questioning
• observed student participation during learning activities
• recorded student progress on a checklist
• annotated student work samples
• collected and reviewed student work samples
• facilitated whole class or peer feedback sessions
• encouraged student self-reflection
• administered formal assessment tasks.

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