Changing ideas about Earth
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how and why our understanding of the position and motion of Earth has changed over time.
Key learning points
- Earth was once thought to be flat, with all the stars and the Sun moving around it.
- Until the 16th century most people thought Earth was at the centre of the universe.
- Observations with telescopes provide evidence that helps us to understand the universe.
Keywords
Sphere - An object that is shaped like a ball is a sphere.
Geocentric model - In the geocentric model of the universe (which is incorrect), Earth is at the centre of everything.
Heliocentric model - In the heliocentric model, Earth and the other planets orbit the Sun.
Telescope - A telescope is able to magnify distant objects so they can be seen in more detail.
Common misconception
Science understanding is similar to politics and we can all have different opinions about what is correct.
Provide pupils with opportunity to see that scientific understanding is built up on evidence, and the best model we have fits with the evidence and can explain observations.
Teacher tip
This is a synoptic lesson that allows you to revisit ideas and understanding about Earth in space, and it uses examples to show how a scientific understanding requires observation and evidence.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is a large, hot star?
Q2.Which of the following happens to the time it takes a planet to orbit the Sun as the distance from the Sun increases?
Q3.Which of the following statements about the Sun rising and setting is correct?
Q4.Which of the following statements about Earth, when it is winter in the UK, is correct?
Q5.Which of the following explains why the stars appear to move across the sky during the night?
Q6.Apart from the Sun, how far is the nearest star to us?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following does a telescope do?
Q2.The model of the universe in which the Earth is at the centre is called the model.
Q3.The model of the universe in which Earth and the other planets orbit the Sun is called the model.
Q4.Which of the following statements are evidence that Earth is a sphere?
Q5.Why do we accept the heliocentric model of the universe (first suggested by Copernicus) instead of the geocentric model?
Q6.Which of the following explains why we can see different stars in the night sky at different times of year?
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Changing ideas about Earth, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Changing ideas about Earth, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Our solar system and beyond unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.