Lesson Plan Guide

Alexandra Lanier

Date:

Grade and Topic:

3rd grade Science

Length of Lesson:

Mentor Teacher:

November 16th, 2016

Teacher Candidate:

Cornelius

School:

60 minutes
University of Memphis

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

Identifying and comprehending the origin and structure of the universe.
GLE 0307.6.1 Identify and compare the major components of the solar system.
SPI 0307.6.1 Identify the major components of the solar system, i.e., sun, planets, and moons.
LESSON OBJECTIVE:

The student will be able to identify all planets and other key components that make up the solar system.
The student will be required to work alongside peers in order to research, gather, and present a Prezi containing
information about a particular planet of their choice.
The student will be expected to participate in creating their own planet and writing a reflection.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED:

SPI 0307.6.1 Identify the major components of the solar system, i.e., sun, planets, and moons.
ISTE 3. Research and Information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources.

MATERIALS:

Solar System Worksheet

Blank sheet of copy paper
Crayons/Markers
Notebook paper/Pencil
Science textbook
Laptop
Prezi
Internet Access to
We are the Planets, Solar System Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHAqT4hXnMw
Nine Planets for Kids
http://kids.nineplanets.org/general.htm
Kids Astronomy
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/other_worlds.htm
Science Kids
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/space/sun.html
Kids Astronomy
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/stars.htm
Kids Zone Science
http://www.kidzone.ws/planets/
Science Kids (Space Images)
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/pictures/space.html
Explore the Planets
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/pictures/space.html

Explore the Planets

http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/media/services/thechildrensuniversityofmanchester/flash
/earthandbeyond_c.swf
The sites listed above are resources provided for the students in order to gather and research information
to complete the Solar System Worksheet. These sites will also assist the students in creating their group
Prezi presentation including images and information regarding the planet the group will select.

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:

Recognizing the components of the Solar System, specifically the planets.
Academic Language is not addressed in IDT 3600.
This lesson provides insight and an introduction to the Solar System.
Subsequent lessons will focus on landforms, bodies of water, and other geological features of the planet Earth.
I am aware that the lesson will be differentiated for students who did not master the objectives and for those
ready for enrichment. However, modifications are not covered in this course and are not part of this particular
lesson.

PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE:

Introduction: Imagine that youve been granted the opportunity to take a trip to outer space! How many planets
will you see? What makes each planet unique? (show We are the Planets video) After we study our solar
system, you will be able to identify and answer these questions with ease. You will explore and discover the
mysteriousness of outer space. You will complete a Solar System worksheet alongside a classmate using the
internet. Today, at the end of our lesson of the solar system, you and your partner will select a planet to present
to the class.
Procedures:

ACTIVITY 1
Prior to the laptop
1. Using notebook paper, a pencil, and crayons students will utilize their textbooks in order to create a simple list
containing the planets in their correct order.
2. When the students have individually completed their lists, the teacher will divide the students into pairs of 2 and
distribute the Solar System Worksheet.
3. The pairs will discuss which student will answer the first 5 questions and which will answer the last 5 questions.
(The student with a birthday closest to the teachers will select first)
At the laptop
1. The teacher will have the above internet resources bookmarked on the computers.
2. The students will answer the questions accordingly on the worksheet based upon how they decided to complete the
worksheet.
3. The students will also look at the other sites provided for ideas on what planet the pair wants to present.
After the laptop
1. The teacher will tell the students to take their seats.
2. The students and the teacher will go over the worksheet as a class.
3. The teacher will discuss other important information regarding the solar system that was not included on the
worksheet. The students will individually take these additional notes on a piece of notebook paper to keep in their
classroom folders.
ACTIVITY 2
Prior to the laptop

1. The teacher will write the planets down on the board, and ask the pairs what planet they would like to present.
(Planet selection will be done according to which pair can guess the closest to the teachers number between 1-50;
The number will change as the pairs are narrowed down).
2. The pairs will write their names down on the board under the planet they have chosen.
3.The pairs will decide which student will gather the information while the other student will create the Prezi. (The
student with the birthday closest to Christmas will gather information).
4.The teacher will tell the students what they are to include on their Prezi including:
A picture of the planet
What number is the planet (ex: 3rd from the Sun)
Whether the planet is a small or giant planet
Whether the planet is a rocky or gas planet
How many moons the planet has
One unique fact about the planet
At the laptop
1. The teacher will have Prezi open at each pairs laptop.
2. The students will create their Prezi according to the expectations and requirements of the presentation.
After the laptop
1. Each pair will take turns connecting their laptop to the teachers main power source with the teachers assistance in
order to display the presentation on the screen. The pairs will present their presentations according to what number
their planet is.
2. Both students are expected to speak during the presentation. (The student that sits closest to the teachers desk will
speak first & the student who sits furthest away from the teachers desk will speak second)

Closure:
After the students have presented their planet presentations to the class, each student will write a
reflective paragraph about what he or she has learned in regards to the solar system. The paragraph
should provide insight to a general, yet complex understanding of the solar system. The student should
include what their favorite planet is and why. Also, using a blank sheet of paper and crayons/ markers,
the students will create their own planet.
ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:
Criteria
Planet List

Rising Star
List included little to
no planets in no
order.

Star
List included some
planets, somewhat in
order.

Shooting Star
List included all
planets somewhat in
order.

Supernova
List included all
planets correctly
placed in order.

Planet Presentation

Presentation included
little to no
requirements.
Information was
inaccurately
presented. Only one
student participated
period.

Presentation included
some requirements.
Information was
presented with little
accuracy. One student
participated more than
the other.

Presentation
accurately included
all requirements.
Information was
clearly presented
with accuracy. Both
students equally
participated.

Reflection

Reflection provided
little to no
understanding of the
lesson and the
students favorite
planet was not
mentioned.

Reflection provided
somewhat of an
understanding of the
lesson and included
the students favorite
planet with little
reason.

Presentation
accurately included all
requirements.
Information was
somewhat clearly
presented with
accuracy. Both
students somewhat
equally participated.
Reflection provided a
vague understanding
of the lesson and
included the students
favorite planet and
reason.

Reflection provided
a clear, detailed
understanding of
the lesson and
included the
students favorite
planet and reason.

MODIFICATIONS:
I am aware that modifications will be made for students who did not master the objectives and for those ready
for enrichment. However, modifications are not covered in this course and are not part of this particular lesson.

Solar System Worksheet

(Sample)

Names____________________
I have book marked a variety of sites for you at the top of your computer screen. You will use the following
sites listed to help you explore and discover different parts of the Solar System.
Use this site for questions 1&2 http://kids.nineplanets.org/general.htm
1) Which planets are small, rocky planets?
1.
2.
3.
4.
2) Which planets are giant, gas planets?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Use this site for questions 3,4,5 http://www.kidsastronomy.com/other_worlds.htm
3) Which planets have no moons?
_______________, ________________
4) Saturn has the most moons. How many moons does Saturn have? _________
5) Earth only has ___ moon. What is the name of Earths moon? ____________
Use this site for questions 6,7,8 http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/space/sun.html
6) The sun is a ________ found at the center of the Solar System.
7) Light from the sun reaches Earth in around ___ minutes?
8) The suns core is around __________ degrees Celsius?
Use this site for questions 9 &10 http://www.kidsastronomy.com/stars.htm
9) Name the 5 different types of stars
___________,____________,____________,____________,____________
10) At the end of their lives, many larger stars explode in what is known as a______________.
* Note: The additional informational and interactive sites bookmarked are for your benefit in gathering
additional information for your planet presentations! I advise that you use them!
PREZI SAMPLE URL http://prezi.com/kvnqewaef-0t/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy