Lesson Plan: Is There Life on Other Planets?

Subject: Sciences

Topic: Planet Earth

Level: Third Level

Desired Outcome: By using my knowledge of our solar system and the basic needs of living things, I can produce a reasoned argument on the likelihood of life existing elsewhere in the universe.

Focus: Planets

Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes:

SCN 3-20a: By researching and exploring, I can consider the sustainability of key aspects of my local environment and make suggestions for improvement.

SCN 3-06a: By investigating some extreme weather events, I can describe the impact they have on people and the landscape.

SCN 3-07a: By exploring climate zones around the world, I can compare and describe how climate affects living things.

SCN 3-20b: By exploring the properties and uses of Earth’s materials, I can compare and contrast them and make informed choices when selecting materials for different purposes.

SCN 3-06b: By exploring the ways in which plants and animals depend on each other, I can make informed predictions about what might happen to some of the living things if there were changes to the environment.

SCN 3-07b: By comparing the life cycles of plants and animals, I can identify and describe the different stages of their development.

Resources:

• Interactive whiteboard
• Computer with internet access
• Videos and images of planets
• Worksheets
• Pencils and erasers

Introduction (10 minutes):

• The teacher will introduce the topic of planets and ask the students what they know about them.
• The teacher will show images and videos of planets and ask the students to identify them.
• The teacher will explain that planets are celestial bodies that orbit around a star and that there are eight planets in our solar system.

Main Activity (40 minutes):

• The teacher will divide the class into groups of four and give each group a worksheet with questions about the planets.
• The students will research and answer the questions on the worksheet using the internet and books.
• The teacher will ask the students to share their findings with the class and discuss the characteristics of each planet.
• The teacher will explain that some planets have conditions that could support life, such as water and a suitable atmosphere.
• The teacher will ask the students to think about the basic needs of living things and how they relate to the conditions on other planets.
• The teacher will ask the students to work in their groups to produce a reasoned argument on the likelihood of life existing elsewhere in the universe, based on their knowledge of the planets and the basic needs of living things.

Plenary (10 minutes):

• The teacher will ask each group to present their argument to the class.
• The teacher will encourage the students to ask questions and challenge each other’s arguments.
• The teacher will summarize the main points of the lesson and ask the students to reflect on what they have learned.

Assessment:

The teacher will assess the students’ understanding of the topic through their participation in the group work and their ability to produce a reasoned argument on the likelihood of life existing elsewhere in the universe. The teacher will also assess the students’ research skills and their ability to use different sources of information to answer questions.