Middle School: Earth and the Universe Vocabulary Game

Students play a vocabulary game while studying the universe. This Bite Sized Science Moment takes about 5–15 minutes and can be used within a Science block or at any time. It is designed to be flexibly implemented in your day!

By Amplify Classroom

6th - 8th Grade

Science

Today's Goals • Define and practice using terms about outer space. • Language Goal: Students will ask questions using vocabulary terms to identify the image that group members have chosen. (Speaking and Listening) Prep Checklist • This is a whole class activity. • Click "Present" when you are ready to start the lesson. Lesson Preview • Students will take turns being the person that asks questions. • Students must use "yes" or "no" questions to narrow down the image that group members have chosen. Polygraph • Polygraph supports students in playfully developing language to describe the universe. • This polygraph can be played before a universe lesson to create a need for students' vocabulary throughout the lesson. • This polygraph can be played during or after a universe lesson so students can practice using vocabulary terms they have learned. Vocabulary Terms and Definitions asteroid: small, rocky formation without a defined shape that orbits a sun in a variety of paths galaxy: stars, gas, dust, and other celestial objects held together in a system by gravity gravitational pull: the attraction that one body in space has on another object in space moon: an object that orbits around a planet orbit: a circular path that planets, moons, or other objects in space follow around a larger object planet: an object in space that has a circular motion around a star solar system: system of a star with objects that orbit it sun: the star that objects in space orbit around universe: all existing matter in outer space