Lesson Plan Day 2 | Wolfingers Classroom

Day 2
What Does the Big Bang Theory Claim?

Learning Target

I can identify the central idea of a scientific explanation and explain one piece of evidence used to support it.

LESSON OVERVIEW

Day 2 moves students from asking questions to investigating a scientific explanation. Students learn that a scientific theory is not “just a guess,” but an explanation supported by evidence and open to revision when new evidence improves understanding. Students read a Big Bang passage or teacher-selected source and annotate for central idea, evidence, and vocabulary. They practice identifying the claim and explaining how evidence supports that claim. This aligns with the unit’s Day 2 focus: Investigate → Analyze, classifying/improving questions, close reading for central idea, evidence, and vocabulary.

AT A GLANCE

In this lesson you will:

Review questions from Day 1 and connect them to scientific investigation.
Learn what a scientific theory is and why it is evidence-based.
Identify the central idea of a Big Bang source.
Find evidence that supports a scientific claim.
Begin building the class evidence timeline: Big Bang → matter → stars/galaxies.
Practice explaining how evidence supports a claim.

BELL RINGER

Write one thing you already know about the universe’s creation and one question you have about how scientists study it.

OBJECTIVES

Define scientific theory in student-friendly language.
Identify the central idea of a Big Bang reading.
Distinguish a claim from supporting evidence.
Explain one piece of evidence used to support the Big Bang Theory.
Add early universe events to a class evidence timeline.

I CAN STATEMENT

I can explain that a scientific theory is evidence-based.
I can identify the central idea of a Big Bang source.
I can name one piece of evidence that supports a scientific claim.
I can explain why that evidence matters.

I CAN GUIDE

No understanding: Completely lost. Needs direct help.

Very little understanding. Struggling. Needs major support.

Partial understanding. Knows a little. Needs more practice or guidence.

Good understanding. Mostly gets it. Can worl with minor help.

Full understanding. Completely understands. Can work or explain it by themselves.

Mini-Lesson: Scientific Theory

Learn why a scientific theory is not just a guess.

Read and Annotate

Read the Big Bang source. Underline the central idea, circle evidence, and box unfamiliar vocabulary.

Document

KEY VOCABULARY

Big Bang Theory: A scientific explanation for the beginning and expansion of the universe.
Scientific Theory: An evidence-based explanation that can be tested, supported, revised, or improved.
Claim: A statement or answer that needs evidence.
Evidence: Information that supports, proves, or challenges an idea.
Central Idea: The most important idea in a text.
Universe: All space, time, matter, and energy.
Matter: The physical material that makes up things.
Revision: A change made to improve thinking, writing, or explanation.

Partner Evidence Check

With a partner, answer:

What is the claim?
What evidence supports it?
How does the evidence help?

Document

Class Evidence Timeline

Add early universe events to the timeline:

Big Bang → matter → stars/galaxies

Document

EXIT TICKET

List three new facts you learned about the Big Bang Theory. Choose one and explain why it counts as evidence.
- Sentence Frame:
  Three facts I learned are ___, ___, and ___.
  One fact that counts as evidence is ___ because ___.

ESL SUPPORTS

Universe: universo
Means: everything in space
Say it: The universe is very old. / El universo es muy antiguo.
Big Bang Theory: Teoría del Big Bang
Means: scientific explanation for the universe’s beginning
Say it: The Big Bang Theory explains the universe. / La Teoría del Big Bang explica el universo.
Scientific Theory: teoría científica
Means: an explanation supported by evidence
Say it: A scientific theory uses evidence. / Una teoría científica usa evidencia.
Claim: afirmación
Means: an answer that needs evidence
Say it: The claim needs evidence. / La afirmación necesita evidencia.
Evidence: evidencia / prueba
Means: proof or support
Say it: The evidence supports the claim. / La evidencia apoya la afirmación.
Central Idea: idea central
Means: the most important idea
Say it: The central idea is important. / La idea central es importante.