UNIT PLANNER
Subject:
Term/Year:
Unit Title:
Assessment:
Key Resource:
SCIENCE
4 / 2015
Earth and Space
Exam
Year Level
Science Ways 1 – unit 2.4
Science Ways 2 – unit 3.1-3.3
10
Science Ways 3 – unit 1.1-1.3
Key ideas from curriculum documents:
Science Understanding
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investigating how human activity affects global systems
modelling a cycle, such as the water, carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus cycle within the biosphere
explaining the causes and effects of the greenhouse effect
investigating the effect of climate change on sea levels and biodiversity
considering the long term effects of loss of biodiversity
investigating currently occurring changes to permafrost and sea ice and the impacts of these
changes
examining the factors that drive the deep ocean currents, their role in regulating global climate,
and their effects on marine life
describing how the evolution of the universe, including the formation of galaxies and stars, has
continued since the Big Bang
identifying the evidence supporting the Big Bang theory, such as Edwin Hubble’s observations
and the detection of microwave radiation
recognising that the age of the universe can be derived using knowledge of the Big Bang
theory
Science as a Human Endeavour
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considering the role of science in identifying and explaining the causes of climate change
recognising that Australian scientists such as Brian Schmidt and Penny Sackett are involved in
the exploration and study of the universe
considering how computer modelling has improved knowledge and predictability of phenomena
such as climate change and atmospheric pollution
researching examples of major international scientific projects, for example the Large Hadron
Collider and the International Space Station
describing how science is used in the media to explain a natural event or justify people’s
actions
using knowledge of science to test claims made in advertising
considering the scientific knowledge used in discussions relating to climate change
evaluating claims relating to environmental footprints
recognising that the study of the universe and the exploration of space involve teams of
specialists from the different branches of science, engineering and technology
KEY REQUIREMENTS
LITERACY
Students will:
• listen, read and view published and self created texts and work towards critical evaluation of their content
• communicate using scientific terminology including:
- technical vocabulary and everyday language used in science contexts, procedural vocabulary which will largely have been introduced in the
previous years; emphasis will be on critiquing, analysing and applying
- visual representations
• create printed, visual and digital materials accurately and purposefully.
NUMERACY
Students will:
• collect, represent and analyse first and second hand data from investigations and research and focus materials
• identify trends and patterns from numerical data, tables and graphs
ICTs
Computer simulation, Onenote and research.
DIFFERENTIATION
Students requiring support can…
The learning experiences within this unit can be differentiated by increasing:
• the frequency of exposure for some students
• the intensity of teaching by adjusting the group size
• the duration needed to complete tasks and assessment
Students requiring extension can…
For guided and/or independent practice tasks:
• student groupings will offer tasks with a range of complexities to cater for individual learning needs
• rotational groupings that allow for more or less scaffolding of student learning
Document1
Term 4
WK
1
2015
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Discovering the lithosphere
• Examine the structure of the lithosphere and describe the use of the surface of the lithosphere.
• Discuss the effects of changes to the lithosphere.
Discovering the atmosphere
• Explore the structure of the atmosphere.
• Define weather and climate.
• Discuss the influence of the atmosphere on other systems.
Discovering the hydrosphere
• Explain the composition of the hydrosphere and describe the distribution of fresh and salt water on the planet.
• Discuss the influence of ocean currents on global systems.
Discovering the biosphere
• Explain the composition of the biosphere.
• Identify the interconnectivity of the systems.
• Describe the influencing factors on habitats and biodiversity.
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Analysing the flow of carbon
• Explain the importance and structure of the carbon cycle in nature.
• Explain the carbon cycle's influence on the planet.
Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
• Explain the greenhouse effect and define global warming and climate change.
• Examine data on climate change and identify changes to the global systems.
Analysing changes to water distribution
• Revise the water cycle, Draw a diagram of the water cycle and describe the changing conditions of water use and
availability.
• Discuss the impact of climate change on water resources.
Analysing changes to nutrient cycles
• Outline the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles.
• Discuss how humans have influenced the cycles.
Evaluating the effect of change on the biosphere
• Explain current ecosystems and examine current research on biodiversity and its importance.
• Discuss the impact of human influence on biodiversity
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Discovering the universe
• Definitions and examples of planets, stars, constellations, galaxies and nebulae.
• Relative sizes of, and distances between planets, stars and galaxies
• Explore the shape and composition of the universe.
• Use appropriate scales to describe the distances between celestial bodies.
• Describe our Sun as a Star, explain how nuclear fusion to generate heat and light, sunspots
Observing changes in the universe
• Examine the life cycles of stars
• Identify time scales over which star changes occur
• Explain that the colour of stars depends on temperature
• Supernovas and Black Holes
Examining the Big Bang theory
• Outline the Big Bang theory and the calculated age of universe
• Explain red shift and how it supports Big Bang theory
• Explain CMBR and how it supports Big Bang theory
REVISION
8
Critical
Learning Lesson
EXAM
Literacy
Focus
Numeracy
Focus
ICT lesson
Creative
Thinking
Practical
Lesson
Key Words
lithosphere
Carbon cycle
universe
Document1
atmosphere
Phosphorus cycle
Big bang theory
biosphere
Nitrogen cycle
galaxies
hydrosphere
Global warming
planets
biodiversity
stars
Human impacts