Brad ColemanLesson For 2/13/14Science – 8th Period

Ancient Models of the World/Cosmos Lesson (Two days)

Rationale I am teaching this lesson so students can understand how different ancient

cultures had different theories and stories on the creation and existence of Earth and the rest of the universe.

This lesson is important to our space unit because students should understand that while we aren’t positive how life began, there are many different theories and it did not “just happen.”

This lesson fits into the “big picture” as it is part of the beginning of the astronomy unit

StandardsScience – 5.1.4.B.3 – Formulate explanations from evidence5.1.4.D.2 – Work collaboratively to pose, refine, and evaluate questions, investigations, models and theories5.4.4.A.4 – Analyze and evaluate evidence in the form of data tables and photographs to categorize and relate solar system objects

SourceThe source of this lesson comes from an activity used by the third grade in their solar system unit. I am making it my own by combining the activity and relating it to “The Woman Who Fell from the Sky” by John Bierhorst.

ObjectiveSWBAT understand that ancient civilizations view of the cosmos were shaped by their geographical surroundings

Materials “Ancient Models of the World” Activity Pencils Colored pencils World maps

Procedure

Introduction Students remain at desks. No materials are needed. Activate prior knowledge by asking what kind of stories we read last week

o Creation (African & Iroquois) What did we discuss that influenced these creation stories?

o Geography/where they lived Introduce activity to the class

Lesson Development Explain activity

o You will each be given four “Ancient Models of the World”o There are four short explanations of the Earth, from four different

countries. They are each very different.o Together, we are going to read each one

Put copy on overhead Call on four different students to read each myth Continue directions after reading

o Work with your science partner. You will be given a map. Find each of the four countries on the map. On pages two and three, you will write how the geographical location of each country influenced their story of the Earth.

For example, we just discussed how the Iroquois creation story was heavily based on nature and things you would find in the woods, because they lived where?

Forrest Discuss with your partner because they might have ideas that

you didn’t think of.o If you are finished with time left, the next page allows you to create

your own theory of the world Use your maps to pick any place in the world. Write a short

story about that country’s ancient model of the world. Use geographical features that you see on the map or may know about your country to write your story.

After you write your story, you may draw a picture to model your story, such as the ones on the first page.

We will continue with this part tomorrow, and then we will share some of our stories

Dismiss students to begin working Teacher will walk around helping partners that are struggling or failing to

stay on tasko Many students may need assistance finding one or more of the

countries on a mapo If too much time is being spent locating countries, teacher may put up

a map on the overhead to show the class as a whole where the countries are.

DifferentiationStudents are partnered and will be able to help each other. Mr. Coleman and Mrs. Reil will be available for students who are struggling.

Conclusion How do we think the ancient countries based their world design?

o Their surroundingso Geography of where they live

Do you think people living in the middle of Russia thought the Earth floated in the ocean?

o No, they would be surrounded by land We know so much more today, thanks to scientists and technology. These

stories might sound silly to us now. But if you lived thousands of years ago, you would believe stories like these, because until people started exploring the globe, you would have no way of knowing what was outside of your country.

We will finish this activity tomorrow. Please put this in your science folder and have everything you need to pack up on your desk

Dismiss students to pack up by table

AssessmentStudents will be assessed throughout the lesson through participation and teacher observance. Further assessment will come from the completion of the “Ancient Models of the World” activity.