Unit Goal:
Students read informational and literary texts to understand how different scientific theories have changed over time. They express their understanding about these theories and the process of scientific inquiry by gathering evidence and comparing and contrasting different theories.
Texts:
“The Making of a Scientist” by Richard Feynman as published in Cricket Magazine, October 1995 (Vol. 23, #2)
The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner
The 13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System by David A. Aguilar
“New Theory: Galileo Discovered Neptune” by Robert Roy Britt (SPACE.com)
Giants of Science: Isaac Newton by Kathleen Krull (Chapter 8)
Skills:
Main Idea and Supporting Details
Comparing/Contrasting
Theme
Summarizing
Writing Process
Assessments:
Comprehension Cold Reads – weekly
In-Class Writing Assignments - one essay each 9 weeks
Group/Class Participation - 100 point grade each 9 weeks
Extra Credit Points: Maximum 25 points earned for every AR point earned and/or every score of a 100 on Digital Readworks passages.