Science
Lesson 10
Lesson Title: The Big Bang Theory
Synopsis:
Students will complete a web-based research activity to familiarize themselves with the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe. Students will produce a class storybook of the origin of the earth. They will use a specific website and add sound effects for each page in this class storybook.
Authors: Valerie Ordway and Stefani Langol
Interdisciplinary Pairing:
- Primarily Science
- Secondary subjects include:
- Music
- Multimedia
- Technology
- Graphic Design (Art)
Objectives:
- Students will examine and evaluate evidence supporting the Big Bang theory.
- Students will explain in their own words the steps in this theory.
- Students will create a class collaborative “storybook” of the origin of the universe.
Intended Grade Level:
Middle School
Prior Knowledge & Skills:
Computer skills are helpful, otherwise, no special knowledge or skills are required
Equipment:
- Computers with access to the Internet
- CDs of sound effects.
- Tape recorder
- Optional: Video recorder and video editing software
- Play back equipment for the video
Duration:
Research will take at least 3 or 4 class periods. Creating the storybook will take another 2 classes and reading of the storybook will use one more class period.
Materials:
- Drawing paper
- Coloring utensils.
Procedure:
- Introduce students to the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe.
- Hand out the Big Bang research sheet.
- Allow students class time to research this topic, answering questions as they go along. (Teacher may want to cover this as an entire class presentation using a projector and not use a computer lab.)
- After questions are answered and students have a clear understanding of the big bang theory, divide class into groups of two.
- Assign each group one of the stages of the origin of the universe. Use the website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origins/ and click on the “History of the Universe” interactive to determine these stages.
- Students must write a paragraph telling the story of their assigned stage.
- Students must draw a picture depicting their assigned universe “stage”.
- Each group must also choose or create a sound effect for their stage.
- Compile a storybook of the origin of the universe.
- Once compiled, the students will present the storybook to the class, reading aloud and with sound effects.
Evaluation:
- Use attached rubric as a guideline for assessing student work.
Links & Resources:
Big Bang Theory
- http://www.uoguelph.ca/~sadura/vittop.htm
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origins/
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origins/spectra.html
- http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/search_astro.pl
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origins/et.html
Sound Effects
Lesson Extension(s):
- Teacher may video the reading of the story, transfer it to a video editor, create a QuickTime movie and post on the school web site.
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