EDUC 303
P P TLESSON LAN ROJECT EMPLATE
Candidate Name: Jazmyne Griffith
I.Subject and Grade Level: 6th grade science
II.Topic: Solar System
III.Subtopic: Planets
IV. STANDARDS
A.Virginia Standard of Learning: VA SOL 6.8: “The student will investigate and
understand the organization of the solar system and the interactions among the
various bodies that comprise it.”
B.Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.2: “Determine the
central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct
from prior knowledge or opinions.”
V.Objective: Given a list of the 8 planets, each student will be able to classify them as
either an inner planet or an outer planet in addition to listing a characteristic of each with
7/8 classified correctly.
VI.Materials:
Interactive notebooks for each student – the students will use these when I am teaching to
record notes/thoughts
Toothpicks of various lengths – these will be used to connect the playdough ‘planets’ one to
another in the guided practice activity
Several packs of playdough in different colors – students will form planets out of balls of
playdough in the guided practice activity.
Picture of the solar system – a great visual that will reinforce the placement of the planets in
the solar system
VII.Technology Connection:
Personal Computer – I will use my computer to connect to the projector to
display the video clip and presentation. It will benefit me since I will be able to
display visuals for the class; the students will have the benefit of seeing the
material so that they can better understand it. The lesson will be benefited by
the fact that I can share something that the students will relate to.
PowerPoint Presentation – My PowerPoint presentation will show the
students a slide in each planet along with the Three W’s. This will benefit me
because ‘A picture is worth more than a thousand words.’ Sometimes, you can’t
explain it anymore; you just have to demonstrate it. My students will benefit
from this because they will be able to see the spectacular designs and images of
the planets. Finally, the lesson will be benefited because of the visual
component that I have included.
Projector – The projector that I will use will project the videos and
Presentation on the wall so that everyone can see and hear. I will be benefited
because I will not have to print out copies of my presentation for my students.
My students will be benefited because I will be able to point out things and
highlight important things with a projector. My lesson will be benefited with the
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visual component I have added.
Video – The videos (Video 1 and Video 2) that I will show at the beginning of
the lesson will be a great attention getter. I will be benefited by having a great
‘hook’ to start of the lesson. My students will have their attention riveted right
from the beginning. The lesson will have the added benefit of being engaging
and visual.
Students’ Computer/iPad – The students will use their own (or ones provided
by the school) to explore the NASA website in their Independent Practice. I will
have the benefit of knowing that the students who finish early will have
something educational to do with their time. The students will be able to
solidify the material in their minds and learn new things independently. The
lesson will benefit because the students will have an opportunity to grow by
themselves while having fun at the same time.
VIII. Biblical/ Character Education Principle:
Students, today we are going to take a trip through our Milky Way galaxy. Our focus is the
planets in our solar system.
Before we get started, let’s dive into Scripture. It’s amazing what we can find in the Bible
about Creation.
(Psalms 8:3-5) "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the
stars, which thou hast ordained; {4} What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son
of man, that thou visitest him? {5} For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and
hast crowned him with glory and honour." (King James Version)
Aren’t you in awe? I encourage all of you to read the entire chapter of Psalm 8; it is just
wonderful! Really, what are we? We are but dust, yet here we are described as being ‘a little
lower than the angels.’ Isn’t that special?
When you consider the heavens like the Psalmist, what do you see? I see order. In just a
moment, you will see how orderly the Milky Way is designed.
Are you orderly in your work and in your life?
We marvel when we see order and design (i.e. constellations) in the sky. Others will do the
same when you are orderly and neat in your life.
Let’s strive to maintain order and design in our work, our school, and our home!
IX.Procedures:
A.Anticipatory Set: I will show my students this short video about the solar system. It
provides a great overview of the planets. After, I’ll share this video which is a great
visual representation on the size and distance of the planets.
B.Developmental Activities:
i.Instruction:
1. Have this picture hanging on the board or projected on the screen:
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2. Show a PowerPoint presentation that I created which highlights a planet on each
slide.
3. Share the Three W’s for each planet:
1. Where? – Where is the planet located? (Inner or outer planet in addition to
planet order)
2. Which? – Which characteristics are the most notable?
3. What? – What is its name?
4. Talk briefly about each planet highlighting each ‘W’.
5. As I am talking, students will be busy filling out their interactive notebooks with
interesting facts. When they are doing their independent work (or even at home),
they will realistically color the planets in their notebooks.
6. Discussion Question: What is your favorite planet and why?
ii.Guided Practice: The class will be divided into small groups. Each group will be
given play dough and toothpicks. They will work together to build a model solar
system. Students should try to make it as accurate as possible in regards to size and
distance. Also, they will have different colors of playdough so that they can match
up the colors as much as possible. Imagination and creativity will be encouraged.
When finished, they will be put on display. For added incentive, students can vote
on the best solar system model. The best team will get a ribbon and/or a treat.
iii.Independent Practice: At their desks, students will draw and color a planet, name
it, and list 3 characteristics about it. I will walk around the classroom offering
encouragement and help to everyone. In their free time, students can have fun
exploring this website from NASA, or they can color the planets in their interactive
solar system.
X.Closure: Students, are you awed by the peek into the solar system you had today? You
all know Neil Armstrong. He was the first man to walk on the moon. It’s enlightening to
hear what he had to say, “It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was
the earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet
earth. I didn’t feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.” Wow!
XI.Diversity/Differentiation for Exceptionalities:
A.Learning Styles (modalities / multiple intelligences):
Auditory – I can create workstations where auditory learners can put on headphones and listen
to an audio recording of my class presentation.
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Visual – My lesson is already visual with the presentation, video and poster. An additional
poster can be very riveting.
Kinesthetic – These learners will be happy in the guided learning part of the lesson. A chant
with hand motions will help kinesthetic learners grasp the material more readily.
B.Gifted: My gifted students will use their device and go to JSTOR or Google Scholar.
In addition to the 3 planet characteristics thy will write in the independent practice,
they will research pertinent scientifical information about each planet (i.e. moons,
satellites, etc.)
C.LEP: These students will benefit from me making a conscious effort to speak slowly
and clearly. I will also use simpler language when possible. Visuals and graphics can
help clear things up when they can’t understand what I’m saying.
D.LD, ED, ADD: To help these children understand and keep them engaged, I will keep
them active. These students typically have short attention spans. Having them sit on
an exercise ball will help them focus. It is more comfortable, and they can do some
small unobtrusive movements – light bounces and short rolls. For special needs
children, I will be sure to include tools that will help them in class (i.e. magnifier,
large pencils etc.)
E.Multicultural Connections: When discussing the solar system and planets, I will be
sure to include scientists, astronomers, and researchers from different backgrounds. I
will try to include as much multicultural examples and images as possible.
XII.Summative Assessment/Evaluation: To assess how well my students understood
this, I will hand my students a quiz later in the week (or even the week after). First,
students will list the planets that are either an inner planet or an outer planet. Finally, they
will have a list of questions to match. One side will be the planets’ names. The other side
will have a list of characteristics – one for each planet. Finally, to help students who may
be challenged in various ways, I will provide aids like larger font type, read-aloud
software, extra-large pencils, and ear muffs to block out distractions. I will also tweak the
assessment to fit each child’s needs.
