Revolution vs. rotation
Objectives:
Events of Instruction:
Resources:
References:
Objectives:
- Define rotation: one complete spin of earth on its axis
- Define revolution: one complete trip around the sun
- Models of each planet
- KWL chart
Events of Instruction:
- Instruct students to sit in their small groups. Hand out a KWL chart for each student. Instruct students to fill in the K section with what we know, and the W section with what we want to know. Tell students to leave the L section, the what we learned section, blank. Tell students that we will fill this out at the end of the lesson.
- Ask students to share the K and W section with their small groups.
- Explain to the students that we will now learn how the objects in our solar system move.
- Ask the class if anyone knows how the planets move. Tell students that there is two types of movement. Write number 1 and number 2 on the board. Call on students at random.
- Write the definitions of rotation (one complete spin of earth on its axis) and revolution (one complete trip around the sun) on the board. Call on two students to read each word and definition for the class.
- Tell students that we will be learning these terms though a game.
- Everyone needs to stand for this activity.
- Hand out small, baseball sized model planets. Hand out the planets in a random order.
- The teacher plays the role of “leader”
- When the leader says ”rotate”, everyone demonstrates it by twirling their planet while keeping it in the same location.
- When the leader says “revolve,” everyone demonstrates it by moving their planet in a broad circle in front of them.
- An individual loses when he or she becomes confused.
- This person must now sit down.
- Those remaining continue in the activity until there is only one left standing. He or she wins and can become the new leader if you want to do it again.
- Review the concepts or revolution and rotation again with the students.
- Assessment: Tell students to fill out the L section of what we learned on their KWL chart that we began at the beginning of the lesson. This will serve as the summative assessment for this lesson.
- Call on students at random to hear what they learned. Write down which students are struggling so that they can get extra help.
Resources:
- KWL chart: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8CEcwYGyVp4/UBrHyBigIII/AAAAAAAABSk/6hjuTKmU9FQ/s1600/classroom+kwl+chart.jpg
- Instructions for the game and an online activity: http://utahscience.oremjr.alpine.k12.ut.us/sciber06/6th/moon/html/rotate.htm
References:
- http://quizlet.com/3327340/4th-grade-science-solar-system-flash-cards/
- http://utahscience.oremjr.alpine.k12.ut.us/sciber06/6th/moon/html/rotate.htm
- http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8CEcwYGyVp4/UBrHyBigIII/AAAAAAAABSk/6hjuTKmU9FQ/s1600/classroom+kwl+chart.jpg