Sara Maglov

October 2017
TPACK Lesson Redesign

____ ​denotes changes made to original lesson plan

TPACK Components
Technology- Scratch
Pedagogy- Research & Integrated Learning
Content- 5th grade Science (Astronomy)

Lesson Title: Our Place in the Galaxy

Lesson/Activity Timeframe:​ ​1 week (five 50-minute class periods

Lesson Objectives:
● I can distinguish between the objects in the solar system.
● I can use scale to compare the sizes of objects and distances them within the Milky Way
galaxy and the solar system.
● I can work ​collaboratively to​ ​create a visual poster​ ​construct a digital model​ of the solar
system that accurately shows scale and size of objects in the solar system and distance
between those objects.

Original Lesson Plan Components

● Students used a variety of resources to research the planets in the solar system for the
following information:
○ Size
○ Atmosphere
○ Position in relation to the Sun and Earth
○ Classification (Icy, Gas Giant, etc.)
● Students record their information in their science notebooks
● Students create a poster complete with an image (hand drawn) of the order of the
planets and the research components listed on the poster

Background/Prior Lessons & Activities

● Students have completed 4 prior lessons about Earth, the Solar System and our role in
the Milky Way Galaxy.
● Students have used a variety of resources to research the planets of the solar system
with a partner of their choice for the following information
○ Size
○ Atmosphere
○ Position in relation to the Sun and Earth
 ○ Classification (Icy, Gas Giant, etc.)
● Students will compile their notes in a Google Doc that I have access to. In this way, I can
monitor student progress and pull students into small (or 2:1) groups as needed.
● Student have used the Scratch website on multiple occasions to create models. They will
have had opportunities for practice
● Students will view “Solar System Making” Tutorial available on Scratch in a small group.
(link: ​https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/45769538/​)
● Students will work with a peer of their choice to explore the commands on Scratch
needed to create a solar system
Assessment
● Students will use Scratch to create a model of the solar system using the research
gathered throughout the week
● The model must include:
○ All planets in our galaxy
○ Planets in correct position in relation to the sun
○ Planets should be scaled appropriately to accurately show their size relationships
○ Classification
Follow-Up
● Students will use their models to demonstrate our solar system to the Kindergarten class
we are paired with.

REFLECTION
I truly enjoyed redesigning this lesson and my students were excited to embark on this
task! Students are generally very interested in space however the output or products the
students are often asked to design lack interest and engagement. I chose the Scratch
technology because it allows the students to create a moving, scaled and interactive solar
system. I think this technology enhances the learning because it forces the students to really
understand the planets sizes in relation to one another and their place in the solar system. The
traditional lesson plan requires a poster which does not truly ask the students to demonstrate
their understanding of the scale of the planets; they only need to demonstrate the planets’
places within the solar system. Using Scratch required the students to problem solve and to use
their knowledge or science and mathematics in order to correctly code the planets into the
creations. Students were then able to demonstrate what they learned by presenting their models
to younger students. The use of the technology made the presentations more engaging and
more impactful; rather than viewing a 2-D poster with no movement, students were able to see
planets moving and how they interact with one another. This lesson redesign allowed the
students to be collaborative, creative and use critical thinking skills in order to be successful. It
also fostered independence within the classroom as the instructor often facilitated the activities
but the students lead the research, production and presentation of all of the content.