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Orbits and Satellites Lesson Plan
Orbits and Satellites Lesson Plan
Lesson Information
Date: Class/Group: Time: 10:00-11:05am
6/6/17 Year 7 Focus (Miss Hannah Beccarelli) Room: Sci 4E
Topic: Orbits as a result of gravitational pull (gravity)
Main science idea: The larger the mass of an object, the stronger the force of gravity. Planets have
huge amount of mass, and so their gravitational pull attracts other masses e.g. the Earth pulls the moon
towards it, and pulls us towards it too.
1. State the effect that mass has on the strength of force of gravity
2. Understand the idea that planets are massive (have lots of mass) and so their gravitational pull
is obvious.
3. Understand that an object in orbit around a planet, are called satellites
4. Give examples of natural and artificial satellites
It is expected that students will achieve the following during the lesson:
1. Show respect for themselves, other students, the teacher, the equipment, and the lesson topic
2. Work effectively as part of a pair/group in a discussion context
3. Ask appropriate and relevant questions
4. Contribute effectively and positively to the lesson discussions
Prior Learning:
Materials/Resources:
SAY: open up your notebooks and take out the model you
constructed last week!
ASK: what did we learn about last week? (Gravity, the effect of
mass on strength of gravity, ball experiment with the corn flour,)
b. Massstrength of gravity:
SAY: so if all things with mass have a gravitational pull, then why
arent these whiteboard markers being pulled towards me? (my
mass is small compared to massive Earth/planets)
SAY: if you remember back to last week, I told you about how only
very large masses have gravitational pulls that you can see.
b. Student notes:
ASK: so on your model, show me the moon orbiting the Earth. This
is one type of orbit. Can someone use their model to show me
another orbit (Earth around the Sun)
OPTUS 10- used for high quality broadcasting services for the
ABC, Seven network, Nine network, Network ten etc.
5 mins 6. Conclusion
a. Recap orbits and the link between mass and strength of
gravitational pull
Student Assessment
Informal assessment
1. Student participation in the questions about past lessons
2. Observe students participation in note taking and questioning after the orbits demo