Download Earth History Unit

Earth History Unit
Time required for unit:
Four Weeks
Title of the Unit:
Origin of the Universe and Solar System
Purpose:
For students to gain an understanding of the types of objects in the universe,
including galaxies, stars and planets, with focus on our own solar system.
Students will develop and understanding of the theory of the origin of our
solar system and the origin of our planet Earth.
Big Ideas:
 The scale of the universe and our solar system: size, age, and distance between
objects.
 The origin and organization of the solar system
 Accretion
 Gravity
 Density
 Unique physical characteristics of the main bodies in our solar system
 Sun
 Each of the nine planets
 The Earth’s Moon
Connections to the real world:
A basic understanding of the history of our solar system and the origin of the
Earth is the foundation of a more detailed understanding of the physical
characteristics of our planet, Earth.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Describe Earth in the context of the rest of the universe.
2. Explain the current theory of the origin of the solar system from a
nebular dust and gas cloud to the formation of each planet.
3. Categorize the nine planets as terrestrial or a gaseous and describe basic
physical characteristics of each planet type, such as size, mass, and
mean density.
4. Use the concept of ratios and unit conversions to create a scale model of
the solar system that accurately represents both the size and relative
location of each planet within the solar system.
5. Explain the physical characteristics of the Sun and the Moon and their
importance to Earth.
6. Identify characteristics unique to Earth and explain why those
characteristics are important for the development of life on Earth.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on the various tasks throughout the unit. There will
be a total of three quizzes on the material covered in the lessons as well as the
individual and group activities. There will be continuing checks for
understanding throughout the unit, this will allow for any misunderstandings,
misconceptions and any unclear topics to be readdressed allowing for clearer
understanding by the student. A unit exam will ultimately be given, in this the
students will be asked to associate the material learned in the unit with their
immediate surroundings, this will test the students’ complete comprehension
of the topics and how it affects them directly. There will also be a research
project where in students will report on a topic of interest they have chosen
and report to the class their findings.
Outline of Unit Activities:
Day
Big Idea
The scale of the universe
1
and our solar system: size,
age, and distance between
objects.
2
3&4
5&6
7
8&9
10
11 - 15
The origin and organization
of the solar system: Gravity
The origin and organization
of the solar system:
Accretion, Gravity, Density
The origin and organization
of the solar system:
Accretion, Gravity, Density
The origin and organization
of the solar system:
Accretion, Gravity, Density
The scale of our solar
system: size and distance
between objects
Unique physical
characteristics of the main
bodies in our solar system:
Sun.
The scale of the universe
and our solar system: size
and distance between
objects. The organization of
Learning Outcome
Lesson Title
Ideas About the Universe.
1
2
Principles of Gravity
2&3
Formation of the Solar
System
2&3
2&3
4
5
The Role of Gravity in the
Formation of the Solar
System.
How and Why the Solar
System is Organized.
Scale Model of the Solar
System.
The Sun: It’s structure,
composition, and
significance to the Earth.
Planets Poster Project
3&6
the solar system. Unique
physical characteristics of
the main bodies in our solar
system.
16
17
18
19
Unique physical
characteristics of the main
bodies in our solar system:
Moon
Unique physical
characteristics of the main
bodies in our solar system:
Moon
Unique physical
characteristics of the main
bodies in our solar system:
Moon
Unique physical
characteristics of the main
bodies in our solar system:
Earth, gravity and density
5
The Moon: Geology,
Composition and Structure
5
Tidal Cycles: Earth Moon
Interaction
The Origin of the Moon
5
The Blue Planet
3&6
Materials:
 Computers with internet access
 Refer to each individual lesson plan for additional materials