Grade 8 Science Unit Two Title Suggested Time Frame Earth and Space: ➢ Light Years and Theories Big Ideas/Enduring Understandings ● Distances in space are measured in light­years. ● Students research scientific theories of the origin of the universe. 1​st​ Six Weeks 3 Days ●
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Guiding Questions How do we study objects that are hundreds of light years away? How big is the universe? What unit of measurement is best to use to measure distances between objects in space? Vertical Alignment Expectations *TEKS one level below* *TEKS one level above* None None Sample Assessment Question How long does is take the light from a star that is 11.9 light­years away to reach earth? a. 11.9 years b. 11.9 x 9.5 trillion years c. 11.9 sec d. 11.9 x 9.5 trillion sec Updated May 2016 The resources included here provide teaching examples and/or meaningful learning experiences to address the District Curriculum. In order to address the TEKS to the proper depth and complexity, teachers are encouraged to use resources to the degree that they are congruent with the TEKS and research­based best practices. Teaching using only the suggested resources does not guarantee student mastery of all standards. Teachers must use professional judgment to select among these and/or other resources to teach the district curriculum. Some resources are protected by copyright. A username and password is required to view the copyrighted material. Ongoing TEKS 8.1A, 8.2A­E, 8.3A­C, 8.4A Updated May 2016 Knowledge and Skills with Student Expectations District Specificity/ Examples Vocabulary The student will learn how astronomers measure distances to the stars and how astronomers describe the scale of the universe. Students will also learn about theories of the origin of the universe. Questions and Stems: ● Why are light years used to measure distances in space? ● What are the different theories used to explain the origin of the universe? ● What unit of measurement is best to use to measure distances between objects in space? Teacher notes: ● Identify a light year as a measurement of distance, not of time. ● Speed of light = 300,000 km/s ● Light year = 9.5 trillion km ● Include several different theories of the origin of the universe. Ex: Big Bang, Big Crunch, Inflation Universe, Oscillating Universe ● Explain the difference between explosion and expansion when discussing the Big Bang Theory. ● Some distant galaxies are so far away that their light takes several Light Year Theory Big Bang Theory Suggested Resources Resources listed and categorized to indicate suggested uses. Any additional resources must be aligned with the TEKS. Subtopic: Light Years & Theories 8.8 Earth and space. The student knows characteristics of the universe. The student is expected to: (D)​ model and describe how light years are used to measure distances and sizes in the universe *Supporting Standard *Bloom’s Level­ Applying and Understanding (E)​ research how scientific data are used as evidence to develop scientific theories to describe the origin of the universe *Neither a Supporting or Readiness Standard Children’s Literature: Activities: Theories Research Powerpoint Theories Research Blank Notes Big Bang Research Organizer Big Bang Research Organizer Blank Light Year Powerpoint Light Year Powerpoint Light Years and Theories Blank Notes Balloon Lab Comparing Distances Lab STAAR Science Tutorial Light Years Websites: Lessons: Textbook: Measuring Distance pg 279 Visual of Milky Way Galaxy showing diameter in light years pg 308 Big Bang Theory pg 310 STEMscopes Light Years 8.8D STEMscopes Origins of the Universe 8.8E Background/Extra Information: Updated May 2016 billion of years to reach the earth. From Earth we see them as they were in the past. Additional Vocabulary Needed for Understanding: meter stick, astronomical unit (AU) Updated May 2016