BASIC SCIENCE SECOND TERM E-LEARNING NOTES

Week 4: The Earth in Space

Subject: Basic Science

Class: JSS 1 (Basic 7)

Term: Second Term

Week: 4

Duration: 40 minutes

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Behavioral Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the solar system.
2. Describe the rotation and revolution of the Earth and Moon.
3. Define space as the place beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

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Keywords

• Solar System – The sun and the celestial bodies that revolve around it.
• Rotation – The spinning of the Earth on its axis.
• Revolution – The movement of the Earth around the sun.
• Space – The vast, empty area beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
• Satellite – A body that orbits a planet, such as the moon.

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Instructional Materials

• Wall charts of the solar system
• Pictures of planets and the moon’s phases
• Online resources (videos, animations)
• Textbooks

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Previous Knowledge

Students have previously learned about Drug Abuse, Addiction, and Sources of Drugs.

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Lesson Content

Sub-Topic 1: The Solar System

The solar system consists of the sun, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids. The sun is the center of the solar system, and all the planets revolve around it in a fixed path called an orbit.

The planets of the solar system in order of distance from the sun are:

1. Mercury
2. Venus
3. Earth
4. Mars
5. Jupiter
6. Saturn
7. Uranus
8. Neptune
9. Pluto (now classified as a dwarf planet)

Each planet moves around the sun due to gravitational forces. Earth is the third planet from the sun and the only one known to support life.

Evaluation Questions

1. What is the solar system?
2. List the planets of the solar system in order.

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Sub-Topic 2: Rotation and Revolution of the Earth and Moon

Rotation of the Earth

• The Earth rotates on its axis, an imaginary line passing through the North and South Poles.
• It takes 24 hours (one day) for the Earth to complete one full rotation.
• Effect of Rotation: It causes day and night.

Revolution of the Earth

• The Earth revolves around the sun in an orbit.
• It takes 365¼ days (one year) to complete one full revolution.
• Effect of Revolution: It causes the seasons (summer, winter, spring, and autumn).

Rotation and Revolution of the Moon

• The moon is a natural satellite of the Earth.
• It rotates on its axis and also revolves around the Earth in about 29½ days.
• The moon has different phases, which are:
  1. New Moon
  2. Quarter Moon
  3. Half Moon
  4. Three-Quarter Moon
  5. Full Moon

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Sub-Topic 3: Space

• Space is the vast, empty region beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
• It contains planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial bodies.
• Astronauts use spacecraft and satellites to explore space.

Evaluation Questions

1. Why is the moon referred to as a satellite?
2. What happens during the Earth’s rotation?
3. List the phases of the moon.
4. In which planet do we live?
5. What is space?
6. Define the term satellite.

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Class Activities

1. The teacher explains the concept of the solar system using a wall chart.
2. The students discuss how the Earth moves in space.
3. The teacher demonstrates the rotation of the Earth using a globe and a flashlight (sun).
4. Students observe pictures of the phases of the moon and identify them.
5. The teacher asks students to mention what they know about space.

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Assessment (Short Answer Questions)

1. Define the solar system.
2. Name the planet closest to the sun.
3. How long does it take the Earth to rotate once on its axis?
4. What is the effect of Earth’s rotation?
5. How long does the Earth take to complete one revolution?
6. List three planets in the solar system.
7. What is the natural satellite of the Earth?
8. Mention one effect of the Earth’s revolution.
9. What is the full moon?
10. What do we call the path of planets around the sun?

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Conclusion

The teacher reviews key points on the solar system, Earth’s movement, and space. Students’ understanding is assessed through questions, corrections are made, and feedback is provided.