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Lesson Plan

Jillian Finger

Unit topic: Earth and Space Science

Grade: 4th

Lesson topic: Our Solar System’s Planets

Objectives:

The student will be able to name all 8 planets in our solar system in the order that they are in.

The student will be able to identify each planet’s average temperature, how long it would take to get there from Earth, and two other additional facts of their choosing.

Instructional Technique:

This lesson includes individual work, optional partner work, and whole group discussion.

Instructional Materials:

The Planet Information handout for each student and a computer for each student.

Theoretical Perspective:

This lesson is important because physical science is a very interesting and significant subject and learning about the solar system is a good introduction. Also, this lesson could pique the interest of some students to pursue science as they go through their school years. Overall, I think it is important for everyone to have a general understanding of our solar system and where we live.

Procedure:

The students will start by each getting a computer/laptop for themselves. Next, they will search for the Solar System Planets website by typing in the link that I will write on the board in front of the classroom. I will have the students go through the quiz (just answering the questions) either alone or with a partner. The quiz questions will serve as a pre-assessment. When all the students have completed the quiz, I will pass out the Planet Information worksheet. Individually, they will go to the beginning of the quiz and redo it but instead of just going through the questions, when they reach the correct answer they will click on the external link to learn more about the planet. They will then fill out the table on the Planet Information worksheet and complete the bottom question. By going through the quiz a second time it is reaffirming the knowledge. Once students are done they will discuss with one another what their favorite planet is and why or just facts they found interesting from different planets. Then, once everyone has talked to somebody, we will gather together for a whole-class discussion for any questions that the students have and what they think about our solar system. I will also ask them to recollect what the order of the planets are without looking at their paper. Some adaptations in this lesson for students could be that they could work with another student or teacher on the website. This person could read the website text out loud or help them read it out loud. There will be no homework for this lesson.

Evaluation:

The first objective is that the student will be able to name all 8 planets in our solar system in the order that they are in. I will determine if a student has met this objective by observing during the whole class discussion who appears to know the information and who appears to have not learned it yet.

The second objective is that the student will be able to identify each planet’s average temperature, how long it would take to get there from Earth, and two other additional facts of their choosing. I will determine if the students have met this objective by reading and evaluating their Planet Information worksheet to assure they have all the correct information. I will give this paper back to them the next day so they can look at it again.

Mercury:

Venus:

Earth:

Mars:

Jupiter:

Saturn:

Uranus:

Neptune:

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