Science Grade 8th Lesson Plan (November 4, 2024)
1. Lesson Information Section
• Date: Nov 4, 2024
• Day of the Week: Monday
• Week Number: Week 1
• Unit Name & Lesson Numbers: Unit 1 & Lessons 1, 2, 3, and 4
2. Lesson Objectives
• Lesson 1: The Solar System
o Compare the geocentric and heliocentric models of the solar system.
o Explain how Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler contributed to the acceptance of
the heliocentric model.
o Identify objects that make up the solar system.
• Lesson 2: Planets
o Identify characteristics shared by the inner planets.
o Identify characteristics shared by the outer planets.
o Identify each planet in the solar system.
• Lesson 3: Stars
o Explain how a star forms.
o Explain how stars are classified.
o Explain what happens as a star runs out of fuel.
o Identify the physical properties of stars.
• Lesson 4: The Suns
o Describe the structure, composition, and physical properties of the Sun.
o Discuss the different types of solar activity and explain how each activity
affects Earth.
o Explain how the Sun generates energy.
o Science Practice: Describe units used by astronomers to measure the
distance between the Sun and Earth.
Science Grade 8th Lesson Plan (November 4, 2024)
3. Lesson Breakout
Lesson 1: The Solar System
Students will learn what the solar system is, which includes the Sun and all the things
that orbit it, like planets and moons. They will find out about two different ideas about
how the solar system is arranged: one where Earth is in the center and one where the
Sun is in the center. They’ll learn how famous scientists helped us understand that the
Sun is at the center and discover what objects make up the solar system.
What You Will Teach: In this lesson, you will introduce the solar system, explaining
that it includes the Sun and all the objects that orbit around it, like planets, moons, and
asteroids. You will compare the geocentric model (Earth at the center) with
the heliocentric model (Sun at the center) to show how our understanding of the solar
system has changed over time.
Vocabulary:
• Solar System: The Sun and all the objects that orbit around it.
• Geocentric Model: An old idea where Earth is at the center of the solar system.
• Heliocentric Model: The correct idea that the Sun is at the center of the solar
system.
Lesson 2: Planets
In this lesson, students will learn about the different planets in the solar system. They
will explore the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) that are rocky and
closer to the Sun. Then, they’ll look at the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and
Neptune), which are bigger and made of gas. By the end, they will know how to identify
each planet and what makes them unique.
What You Will Teach: In this lesson, you will explore the planets in the solar system.
You will explain the difference between the inner planets (rocky) and the outer planets
(gas giants) and discuss the unique characteristics of each planet.
Vocabulary:
• Inner Planets: The four rocky planets closest to the Sun (Mercury, Venus, Earth,
Mars).
• Outer Planets: The four gas giants further from the Sun (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
Neptune).
Science Grade 8th Lesson Plan (November 4, 2024)
Lesson 3: Stars
Students will discover what stars are and how they form in space. They will learn about
different types of stars and how to tell them apart based on their color and brightness.
They will also find out what happens when a star runs out of energy, like becoming a
small star or exploding. This will help them understand what stars are like and why they
are important.
What You Will Teach: This lesson focuses on stars, explaining how they are formed,
classified, and what happens to them over time. You will introduce the idea that stars
are big balls of gas that shine in the night sky.
Vocabulary:
• Star: A massive ball of gas that shines brightly in space.
• Classification: How we group stars based on their properties, like color and
size.
Lesson 4: The Sun
In this lesson, students will focus on the Sun, which is the star that gives us light and
warmth. They will learn about what the Sun is made of and how it works. They will also
explore different kinds of activities on the Sun, like solar flares, and how these can
affect us on Earth. Finally, they will understand how the Sun creates energy, which is
essential for life.
What You Will Teach: In the final lesson, you will focus on the Sun, explaining its
structure, composition, and how it generates energy. You will also discuss the effects of
solar activity on Earth.
Vocabulary:
• Solar Activity: Events that occur on the Sun’s surface, such as flares and
sunspots.
• Nuclear Fusion: The process by which the Sun generates energy by combining
hydrogen atoms.
