Higher:
Is able to explain why some people believe that the Big Bang theory provides the most viable theory of how the universe came into being
Middle:
Can give reasons why some people might not support the Big Bang theory
Lower:
Can give a basic explanation of what the Big Bang theory is
Lesson Recap Starter: Think back to the last lesson. What are the characteristics of the planets in our solar system?
Lesson Starter: People have different ideas about how the world came into being. What do you think the 'Big Bang' theory is?
They could discuss different theories or write their answer on a sticky note / mini whiteboard.
Presentation - Starter Slide
Sticky Note / mini whiteboard (optional)
Answer questions and take part in activities during the presentation. Stop the presentation at the relevant slides: Talk Partners; AfLs; Songs. Take part in the Choral Response Questions activity (see Assessment section) after the Keywords/Rocket Words slide.
Key Concept:
During this unit, each lesson contains a key concept question housed in the '30 Second Challenge' slide. To help children master this content so the knowledge moves from their short term memory to their long term memory, at the beginning of the follow on lesson the question from the previous lesson is revisited.
The questions covered during this unit include:
1. What were Nicolaus Copernicus' ideas about planetary motion?
2. How does the Earth move through space?
3. What are the characteristics of the planets in our solar system?
4. What is the Big Bang theory?
5. How does gravity affect the movement of the Earth and Moon in space?
6. What are the different phases of the Moon?
Presentation
Expert Film: Dr Sam Rowe talks to Paul about the Big Bang Theory and how long ago it was predicted to have occurred.
What are the longest numbers they can say? Start with 1000 and work your way up to a million, then a billion, and try a trillion.
What sort of careers do mathematicians do? Debate with the group.
How we deliver the Gatsby Benchmarks:
2 - Learning from career and labour market information: Pop along to Developing Experts career’s zone to find out about jobs in your area.
4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers: This unit showcases careers in the people who work with earth and space. Access our 360° virtual work tours.
7 - Encounters with Further and Higher Education: Pop along to Developing Experts career’s zone to find out about training providers in your area.
Presentation - Expert Film.
The Expanding Universe
Children should partially blow up a balloon and use a clothes peg or a paper clip to keep the air in. They should then draw four dots on their balloon and label them A – D. They should then measure the distances between each dot using a measuring tape and record their results on the Handout.
They should then blow the balloon up the rest of the way and tie off the balloon. Children then remeasure the distances between these dots. Answer the questions on the Handout to help draw conclusions about this model and what it is showing about the Universe and the Big Bang.
Ask pupils to explain what they understand by the term 'Big Bang'. Ask them to explain why the Big Bang theory is a viable theory. Ask them to explain why some people might not believe in the Big Bang theory (religion vs. science?)
The Expanding Universe
Balloon
Marker pen
Measuring tape
Handout
Children to complete one or both of the handouts provided.
Quiz
With their talk partners, the children are to go through the quiz at the end of the presentation and answer the questions.
Assessment Trays
Ask the children to place their Handouts, notebooks, Formative Assessment Forms, Investigation Sheets, into either the Discover tray or Explorer tray
* Explain that the green tray means that the learner has understood the lesson well, and that the red tray means that the learner needs more time to practise.
* use whichever colours of tray you have in stock, or prefer to use for this.
Children to take interactive Assessment Quiz to test lesson comprehension.
Explain the Big Bang!
Handout
Distances from the Sun
Handout
Quiz in presentation
Assessment trays
Interactive quiz
Can children explain what the Big Bang theory is?
Can children provide reasoned arguments for and against the Big Bang theory?
1. Pupils to be allocated a mark out of 5 for their practical experiment.
2. Pupils to be awarded a mark out 5 for their experiment write up.
(Award pupils a practical mark out of 10 for the lesson).
The 'Big Bang' theory is...
Choral response / suggested phrase
The Big Bang Theory explains...
Scientists believe this happened...
It created...
Our solar system is just one of...
Science Behind the Science
Have you ever wondered how the Universe began? There are so many different speculations, but one thing is for sure, the Universe is still expanding. One of the most famous theories is known as the Big Bang theory. You’ve probably heard it before. The most important thing to take from this theory is that all the matter in the Universe was initially concentrated at one very, very tiny and single point. This apparently happened around 13.7 billion years ago. So, you were definitely not around. The matter that was concentrated at this very small point began to enlarge very quickly into an extremely hot explosion. It was a single point from which Space, time, matter and everything was created. It is still expanding today. The pieces of evidence that support this are known as redshift, cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) and the existence of different elements in the universe. Redshift explains that when an object moves further away from the individual who is observing it, its light is impacted by the Doppler effect. This explains why other galaxies are moving away from us. CMBR very much exists. This is the remains of the energy created just after the start of the Big Bang.
Pupils should find out about the way that ideas about the solar system have developed and learn that the Sun is a star at the centre of our solar system and that it has 8 planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune (Pluto was reclassified as a ‘dwarf planet’ in 2006).
Planet Earth - Space - By researching developments used to observe or explore space, I can illustrate how our knowledge of the universe has evolved over time.
The study of planet Earth and its position in the universe, particularly its relationship with the Sun; the natural phenomena and systems that shape the planet and the distinctive features that identify it.
Taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate
Grade 4 - our universe.
Grade 6 - Earth Science - Space - Solar System, Stars and Galaxies - Stars and Galaxies - What was the Big Bang (formation of Earth)