Class: Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1 / JS1)
Term: Third Term
Week: 7
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Basic Science and Technology
Curriculum Theme: Basic Science
Previous Lesson: Third Term Basic Science Examination.
Topic: GRAVITATION AND WEIGHTLESSNESS
Subject Matter: Effects of gravitation on objects

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is gravitation?
Mention three effects of gravitation on objects.
Explain what weightlessness means.
How is weight different from mass?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating the definition of gravitation, its effects, and the concept of weightlessness. The teacher assigns homework, asking pupils to list five objects that are affected by gravity in their homes.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding and are given a task to apply their knowledge.

Home Task: Record two correct examples of GRAVITATION AND WEIGHTLESSNESS from the lesson or home environment and explain each in your own words.

Lesson Keywords

Gravitation – The force of attraction between any two objects with mass.
Gravity – The force that pulls objects towards the center of the Earth.
Weight – A measure of the gravitational force exerted on an object.
Mass – The amount of matter an object contains.
Weightlessness – The apparent absence of weight, often experienced in freefall or space.
Force – A push or a pull that can cause an object to change its motion.
Attraction – The act of pulling towards something.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp the concepts quickly, the teacher can ask them to research how gravity affects artificial satellites. For pupils who need more support, the teacher can provide additional simple examples of gravity’s effects and review the definitions individually or in small groups.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage pupils to share their own observations and experiences related to gravity. Use simple, relatable examples to explain complex ideas. Visual aids, especially videos of astronauts, can greatly enhance understanding of weightlessness. Ensure pupils understand the difference between mass and weight, as this is a common point of confusion.

Cognitive Domain:

Define gravitation.
State at least three effects of gravitation on objects.
Explain the concept of weightlessness.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of gravity in daily life.
Show curiosity about the concept of weightlessness in space.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify objects that demonstrate the effect of gravity.
Draw simple diagrams illustrating the effects of gravity.

Discuss how gravitation influences phenomena around us and in space.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Basic Science and Technology for Junior Secondary Schools 1 by Macmillan
https://www.britannica.com/science/gravitation
https://www.nasa.gov/what-is-weightlessness/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Pictures or charts showing objects falling to the ground.
Images or videos of astronauts in space experiencing weightlessness.
A ball and a stone (for demonstration).

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding gravitation helps pupils comprehend why objects fall, why they stay on the ground, and how planets orbit the sun. This knowledge also helps them understand the concept of weightlessness, which is important for understanding space travel and physics.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of forces and motion from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

GRAVITATION AND WEIGHTLESSNESS

Gravitation

Gravitation is a natural force of attraction that exists between any two objects that have mass. The more massive an object is, the stronger its gravitational pull. Gravity is the force that pulls objects towards the center of the Earth, making them fall downwards.

Effects of Gravitation on Objects

Gravitation has several observable effects on objects around us:

It causes objects to fall to the ground when dropped.
It keeps us and all objects firmly on the surface of the Earth.
It is responsible for the tides in oceans and seas.
It keeps the planets in orbit around the sun and the moon in orbit around the Earth.
It gives objects their weight.

Weightlessness

Weightlessness is the apparent absence of weight. It occurs when an object is in a continuous state of freefall or when the force of gravity is effectively cancelled out. Astronauts in orbit around the Earth experience weightlessness because they are constantly falling around the Earth, rather than being pulled directly down onto its surface.

Note: Weightlessness is different from having no mass. An object always has mass, but its weight can change depending on the gravitational force acting on it.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what happens when they throw a ball up in the air or drop a stone. The teacher then introduces the topic: Gravitation and Weightlessness.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by saying the ball or stone falls back to the ground. They listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the lesson topic and connect it to a real-life observation.

Step 2: Explanation of Gravitation

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines gravitation as the force of attraction between objects with mass. The teacher demonstrates by dropping a ball and a stone, explaining that gravity pulls them down.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the definition and observe the demonstration, asking questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition of gravitation and observe its effect.

Step 3: Discussion of Effects of Gravitation

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains various effects of gravitation, such as why objects fall, why we stay on the ground, tides, and planetary orbits. The teacher uses charts or diagrams to illustrate these points.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, sharing their thoughts and relating the effects to their daily experiences.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the multiple effects of gravitation in their environment and beyond.

Step 4: Introduction to Weightlessness

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the concept of weightlessness and explains what it means. The teacher shows pictures or a short video clip of astronauts in space to illustrate weightlessness.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the visuals and listen to the explanation, trying to grasp the concept of appearing to have no weight.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of weightlessness and see examples.

Step 5: Distinction between Weight and Mass

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Clarification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher clarifies the difference between weight (a measure of gravitational force) and mass (the amount of matter in an object). The teacher emphasizes that an object’s mass remains constant, but its weight can change in different gravitational fields.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask questions to understand the difference between weight and mass.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that weight and mass are distinct concepts.