Know – Understand – Do Organizer
Name: 6th Grade
Date: Anticipated
Course/Subject: Earth Science
Team: Science
Topic: Universe and Solar System
School/District: Glynn County
Which Standards are students learning in this unit?
Focus Standards:
S6E1. Students will explore current scientific views of the universe and how those views
evolved.
a. Relate the Nature of Science to the progression of basic historical scientific models
(geocentric, heliocentric) as they describe our solar system, and the Big Bang as it describes the
formation of the universe.
b. Describe the position of the solar system in the Milky Way galaxy and the universe.
c. Compare and contrast the planets in terms of  Size relative to the earth  Surface and
atmospheric features  Relative distance from the sun  Ability to support life
e. Explain that gravity is the force that governs the motion in the solar system.
f. Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
By the end of this unit, students will be able to ……..
Know
Understand
Prior to the 1500's it was
believed that the earth was the
center of the planets
(geocentric model).
Copernicus first suggested the
heliocentric system, where the
sun is at the center of the
planets. With the use of
telescopes, Galileo confirmed
the heliocentric system.
The difference between a
scientific theory and a
scientific law.
The Big Bang Theory states
that the universe formed about
10-15 billion years ago
through a huge explosion. The
universe continues to expand
rapidly.
Our solar system is a single
star system, but is located in
Do
Scientific theories change
when scientists discover new
information.
Jigsaw activity to explore
creation stories from several
cultures
Observational evidence caused
the model of the solar system
to be changed from one in
which the sun and planets
orbit the Earth to one in which
the Earth and planets orbit the
sun.
Observe and write a reflection
of Big Bang demonstration
The “Big Bang” is a theory of
how the universe began.
The sun is a medium-sized
star located in the Milky Way
Galaxy.
The planets of our solar
system differ in size,
composition (rock or gas),
surface and atmospheric
features, and distance from the
sun.
Demonstrate an understanding
of galaxy classifications
Record notes and reflections
in science journal or notebook
Compare and contrast
geocentric and heliocentric
models of the Earth
Write Galactic Address
Create a scaled model of the
solar system
Explore and describe
differences and similarities
between inner and outer
Know – Understand – Do Organizer
the Milky Way Galaxy, which
contains other single stars,
double stars, star systems, and
dust and gas.
The Milky Way Galaxy is one
of billions of galaxies in the
universe.
Planets move around the sun
in nearly circular orbits.
The Earth is the only body in
the solar system that appears
to be able to support life.
Comets and asteroids are
objects smaller than planets
that orbit the sun and vary in
size, composition, and
characteristics.
The planets are divided into
two groups. The inner planets
are smaller, closer to the sun,
and have rocky surfaces, while
the outer planets are larger,
Gravity is the force that keeps
farther from the sun and do
planets in orbit around the sun
not have solid surfaces.
and governs the rest of the
motion in the solar system.
Inertia and gravity combine to
keep the planets in orbit. The
mass of an object and the
distance between objects
determine the force of gravity.
Comets, chunks of ice and
dust, revolve around the sun
with very, very elliptical
orbits.
Asteroids are smaller than
planets and are found orbiting
the Sun between Jupiter and
Mars.
Meteoroids are a chuck of
rock or dust found in space,
and usually come from a
comet or asteroid.
planets in our solar system
Compare and contrast comets,
asteroids, and meteors.