SNC1P Astronomy Lesson Plans:
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In the top right corner of each day’s lesson are the coded curriculum expectations and the
associated textbook sections.
In the top right corner of each day’s lesson are the coded curriculum expectations and the
associated textbook sections.
UNDERLINE AND BOLD indicates due date or summative (count for marks) evaluations.
Anything bolded should be completed for homework.
Text 1.2
Introduction
1. Seating plan.
2. General introduction & handouts. Website.
3. Get to know your peers. Turn to your desk partner and tell them as many things about
yourself (that you’d like to share and may even have relevance to the class) as you can in 30 s.
Start with the shorter person. Switch.
4. Textbooks.
5. What is Science? Brainstorm – this is modeling for the next part. Emphasize that purpose of
the course is to develop scientific literacy and critical thinking skills (Text 1.2).
6. Astronomy handouts. What is Astronomy?
Brainstorm other key words that might be associated with astronomy. Write them down and
feel free to add doodles to represent ideas as well. Feel free to use your textbooks for this.
7. Get first day sheet signed and bring it to class tomorrow.
D2.1, D2.2
Text 8.1 & 8.2
Unit 1 Day 1: Stuff in the Sky & How We See It.
1. Cornell Notes
2. Note on Objects in the Sky and Telescopes.
3. Text p. 296 # 2, 4, p. 299 # 2, 3, 4.
D3.1, D3.2, D3.3
Text 8.3 & 8.4
Unit 1 Day 2: Moon & Planets
1. Note on Moon & Planets
2. Text p. 304 # 3, 4, 5, 6 and p. 307 # 1, 3.
D3.1 – D3.4
Text 8.4
Unit 1 Day 3: Solar System Model Activity
1. Solar System Model Activity (due at end of class).
2. Catch up on any missed work.
D3.4
Text 8.5 & 8.6
Unit 1 Day 4: Stars and the Sun
1. Note on Stars and the Sun
2. Text p. 311 # 1, 2, 3, p. 315 # 1, 4, 5.
D2.2, D2.3
Text 8.7 & 8.8
Unit 1 Day 5: Observing from Earth
1. Discuss SETI
2. Note on Galaxies
3. Text p. 319 # 1 – 4.
D2.3
Unit 1 Day 6: Alien Assignment
Computer Lab
1. Information about Quiz 4a.
2. Introduction to Aliens Assignment – choose planets.
3. In class period to work on Alien Assignment.
4. Work on Alien Assignment.
D2.3
Unit 1 Day 7: Alien Assignment
1. Quiz 4a.
2. In class period to work on Alien Assignment. Be sure to bring poster materials and research.
3. Work on Alien Assignment
D3.5
Text 9.1 & 9.2
Unit 1 Day 8: Motions & Seasons
1. Note on Motions and Seasons.
2. Demonstration: Explorelearning.com (Solar System Explorer, and Seasons).
3. Text p. 335 # 1, 2, 4, 5, p. 339 # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
D3.5
Unit 1 Day 9: Explorelearning.com
Computer Lab
1. Log into www.explorelearning.com using the code provided in class.
2. Explore available astronomy Gizmos.
3. Catch-up on any missed work.
D3.6
Text 9.3 & 9.4
Unit 1 Day 10: Star Patterns
1. Note on Star Patterns
2. Constellation & Star Map Activity
3. Work on Constellation Assignment
D3.6
Unit 1 Day 11: Constellations Assignment
1. Class period to work on Constellation Assignment
2. Constellations Assignment DUE at end of class.
3. Finish Aliens Assignment
D3.5
Text 9.6 & 9.7
Unit 1 Day 12: Moon & Eclipses
1. Aliens Assignment DUE
2. Note on Moon Phases & Eclipses.
3. Demonstration: Explorelearning.com (Moonrise & 2D Eclipse)
4. Text p. 350 # 1, 2, 4, p. 352 # 2, 3, 4.
D3.5
Text 9.8 & 9.9
Unit 1 Day 13: Big Bang
1. Note on Expansion of the Universe
2. Balloon Expansion Activity (bring balloons)
3. Read p. 356.
4. Class Discussion: Who owns the Moon?
5. Information about Quiz 4b.
6. Text p. 355 # 1, 3, 4.
D1.1, D1.2, D2.4
Text 10.1 – 10.3
Unit 1 Day 14: Space Exploration
1. QUIZ 1b
2. Note on Space Exploration.
3. Working in Space Activity (bring coats, gloves, nuts & bolts).
4. Text p. 377 # 2, 5, 6, p. 386 # 1 – 6.
D1.1, D1.2, D2.4
Unit 1 Day 15: Space – the final frontier…
1. Space Travel Movie.
D1.1, D1.2, D2.4
Unit 1 Day 16: Catch-up/Review
1. Finish Space Travel Movie.
2. Class period to catch-up on any missed work.
3. Catch-up/Review
D1.1, D1.2, D2.4
Text 10.4 – 10.6
Unit 1 Day 17: Challenges of Space Travel
1. Read Section 10.4 – 10.6
2. Discuss the pros/cons of space travel and debate if it’s worth the money.
3. Introduce Mars Assignment.
4. Think about Mars Assignment (done in class tomorrow).
D1.1, D2.4
Unit 1 Day 18: Mars Assignment
1. Class period to complete Mars Assignment (due at end of class).
2. Catch-up on any missed work, organize binder, and start studying for the test.
Unit 1 Day 19: Review
1. General information about the test.
2. Review activities: Key terms list, key diagrams, key formulas, major & minor concepts.
3. Study for test & prepare binders for submission.
Unit 1 Day 20: Test
1. TEST
2. Submit binders for evaluation of organization and homework completion.
3. Science safety video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr7roogzM8c.
4. Read p. 547 – 548 and write down three new things that you learned/surprised you.
Share with the class.
5. WHIMIS symbols – cut and paste matching symbol and definition.