Lesson Plan
Lesson 1: The Solar System Begins
60 minutes
| Lesson 1 in Our Place in Space - Unit Plan
A 60 minute lesson designed to explore the circumstances and processes that led the formation of the solar system.
Preparation
Prior to conducting the lesson, review the procedure and equipment required for the activity.Equipment
- Water
- Clear jar/bottle with a secure lid
- 1 teaspoon of vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of dish detergent
- Optional: A pinch of glitter and/or 5 drops of food colouring
Lesson Plan
This lesson contains a link to an external video. Please watch the video prior to presenting this lesson to ensure that the content is appropriate for your students.
Tuning In
- Watch the trailer for Wonders of the Solar System. Afterwards, ask the students to consider what the solar system is, what makes it up and what do we know about it. Encourage students to share their ideas and discuss their responses.
Teacher Instruction
- Ask the students how they think the solar system was formed. Encourage them to offer suggestions.
- Watch the video The Order of the Solar System. Afterwards, discuss the main terms and concepts and write them on the board
- The solar system began as a cloud of dust and gas in space (nebula).
- The nebula began to spin, the middle of the cloud became more dense and it began to spin faster.
- A flat disc formed with a heavy central area.
- The sun ignited and planets eventually formed in the disc of materials surrounding it.
- Revise the term ‘conservation of angular momentum’ and discuss that it is the process whereby something that spins and then contracts, will spin faster.
- Introduce the statement to be investigated in this lesson: The solar system was formed by conservation of angular momentum.
Guided/Independent Learning
- Explain to the students that they will be working in small groups to perform an activity where they will be able to observe the conservation of angular momentum.
- Distribute the Tornado in a Jar Worksheet. Read through the activity step-by-step and answer any questions the students may have about the task. Afterwards, assist the students in collecting and preparing the required equipment.
- Monitor and support the students as they perform the activity and encourage them to complete the questions on the worksheet.
Wrapping Up
- As a whole class, review the activity and the worksheet questions. Encourage students to share their answers and discuss any discrepancies in their responses.
- Refer back the statement being investigated: The solar system was formed by conservation of angular momentum. Discuss how observations from the activity support or refute the statement. Students can write an evaluative summary of the task as a teacher-led, whole class activity or independently.
- Introduce the Solar System Word Wall. Add the words solar system and nebula to the display.
Differentiation
Extending Students
- More capable students could research evidence to support the theory of how the solar system was formed.
Supporting Students
- Less confident students could work in small groups with more capable peers and 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.
Resources
Find more resources for these topics
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