Week 2 Lesson 1 –  Centered on the Sun

Learning Intention

• Students will investigate the relationship between the Earth, Sun and Moon (movement).

Success criteria

• Students will create a 3D, moving model of the Earth, Sun and Moon

Background Reading

n/a

Resources

•  Objects to create their orreries – balloons, straws, icy pole sticks string, wire, permanent markers etc

Lesson Outline

1. Review the students’ exploration of the three different claims about the relative movement of the Earth, Sun and Moon.

2. Remind students how in ‘But it looks flat’ Eratosthenes used diagrams and models to explain his claim. Why is it easier to understand models when they are shown physically rather than just described?

3. Explain that students are going to work in collaborative learning teams to create an orrery (a 3D modelwith moving parts) to show how they think the Sun, Earth and Moon all move in relation to each other, for example, according to one of the claims from ‘Debating or place’.

5. Use scientific terminology in your orrery. Discuss the purpose and features of a glossary.

6. Add to glossary the terms ‘orbit’  and ‘rotate’ . Ask students to describe what each term means and how they are different.

7. Draw students attention to the equipment table and explain that balloons will be used to represent the Earth, Moon and Sun. Demonstrate two possible techniques for making the parts in their orrery.

8. Ask students to explain the time space object in their orrery takes to complete one orbit (one circle around another space object) or rotation (one turn or spin around its own axis). Ask students to use common timescale, such as minutes, hours, days, months or years.

9. Allow time for teams to complete their orreries. Share with grade when complete.

10. Watch video.