Unit Topic: _______Space Exploration____ Grade level:______6______

Stage 1 Desired Results

Content Standard/Established Goals(s):
Standard - 3.3.6.B1, 3.4.6.B3, S6.A.1.1.2, 3.4.6.B4
Leave students with an understanding of the solar System we are a part of
and the role of human curiosity and innovation in refining that
understanding.
Understanding(s)
Students will understand that:

Essential Question(s):

Our Earth is a small part in the

What criteria do scientists use to
grand scheme of the universe with
classify things (moons, planets
many forces acting on it.
etc.)
Through exploration we learn more

What
advances has mankind made
about our world and refine our
understanding of it.
(scientific/technological) in order
Past accomplishments pave way
to study space?
for future endeavors. (students
What makes earth uniquely
potential)
hospitable to Life?

Student objectives (outcomes):

Students will know
8 planets, each unique in its
own way.
Some planets have moons, ours
is important for physical reasons
and cultural.
Our solar systems arrangement
in relation to the sun.
Major events leading to a man
on the moon.

Students will be able to

Describe the major features of
the planets in the solar system.
Recognize the pattern of the
phases of the moon, and explain
it.
Explain the role of US/soviet
competition in pushing
innovation, landing on the moon.
Assemble acquired knowledge to
facilitate further understanding.

Stage 2 Assessment Evidence

Performance Task(s):
Other Evidence:
Students will create scale models Classroom discussions and
of planets out of clay and sort
participation.
according to previous and newly Responses to classroom Do
gained knowledge.
Now activities that are less
Gather information about planets
formal that writing prompts.
(requiring research), assemble
Writing and drawing samples.
into a creative display and
Acting out understandings of the
present to class.
motion of celestial bodies.
Formulate opinions about
historical events and articulate
them.

Beginning

Culminating

Stage 3 Learning Plan

Objectives/Goals
Formative
Assessment
Creating clay models of Give students an
Students will reassess
planets
understanding and
their answers with
visual representation of each round of planet
the sizes of planets
sorting, correcting
relative to each other
their misconceptions
as the class
progresses.
Measuring the relative
Clarify to students the
See that students are
distance between
distances in space
able to connect the
planets.
beyond the intangible
scale planets and scale
Touch on math lessons
concept of light
distances to reality
in ratio to help clarify
years.
through discussion and
scales.
oral questioning.
Learning Activity

Simulation of phases of
the moon

Help students to
visualize the
movement of earth and
moon

Watch a video of the

moonlanding

Give students a visual

to go with their
readings (through
diagrams and
simulations)
Students will be
assigned planets
corresponding to their
academic level based
on previous
assessments. (students

Group research into

planets- culminating in
a poster including
information and a
drawing of each planet
to be displayed around

Checking with students

throughout to gauge
understanding.
Final assessment:
students will simulate
different lunar phases
and movement of
Earth and Moon to
demonstrate
comprehension of
relationship.
Brainstorming activitydifferences between
earth and moon.
Rough drafts and
evaluating initial
findings.
Final assessment
would be the

school.
Extra credit: students
will create an
advertisement
recruiting for NASAs
space program
(astronauts or
scientists)

on the lower end of the

scale or ELLs were
assigned Mercury while
more advanced
students the
experts- were given
more complex planets,
e.g. Saturn)
Division of labor within
the groups was also
determined according
to ability (students with
physical disability were
given tasks that do not
require advanced fine
motor skills, ELL
assigned drawing task
rather than organizing
information into
paragraphs.)

presentation in front of
the class.