3-TAS-02 Solar System, Seasons and Tides

Outcomes

• Pupils can name the major features of the solar system.
• Pupils can explain the causes of seasons and tides.

Specification References

• Not applicable

Starter

• Celestia tour of the solar system

Main Body of Lesson

• Create scale model of the solar system.
  • See also
• Link satellites' orbits to previous lesson on gravitation.
• Discuss the phases of the moon, using the familiar terminology. A short clip is quite useful; another
• Brainstorm ideas on causes of tides and seasons.
• Demonstrate with globe and lamp the cause of seasons.
  • Elicit different characteristics of seasons.
• Show video on cause of tides.

Plenary

• Blockbusters game

Homework

• Continue Alien Planet Project.

Additional Information

Resources Required

• Celestia software (or video thereof)
• Tide video and associated questions
• Globe
• Powerful lamp

Textbook References

• None

Website References

• Celestia

Skills Addressed

• Communication
• Calculation

Safety/Hazards

• Creating scale model of the solar system will involve substantial pupil movement and may involve pupils being spread out to a large extent.

Notes

• Pluto IS a planet