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UNIT: Space and Weather
DATE: 12/01/2014
LESSON: The Night Sky
TIME LENGTH: 40mins
PA CORE STANDARDS:
1. Standard - 3.3.2.B1: Observe and record location of the Sun and the Moon in the sky over
a day and changes in the appearance of the Moon over a month. Observe, describe, and
predict seasonal patterns of sunrise and sunset.
ASSESSMENT ANCHOR DESCRIPTORS:
1. S.K-2.D.3.1.1: Identify objects that can be observed in the day or night sky (i.e., the
Moon, planets, the Sun and other stars).
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
1. After the lesson on the night sky and the field trip to the Planetarium, students will write
(list) the different stars that make up their constellation with no error.
2. Given the lesson on stars and constellations, students will identify the difference between
stars and constellations with no error.
3. Given examples and lessons on constellations, students will draw the little dipper, the big
dipper, and Orion the hunter with 80% accuracy.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS (Include three high level questions):
1. What is the solar system?
2. What are the nine planets?
3. Besides planets, what other things can you see in the night sky?
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS (Include at least two):
1. Teacher will say a definition from the vocabulary in the lesson, and students will shout
out the answer. If teacher notices students that aren’t participating, ask them if they
understand.
2. Ask essential question 2. If most of the students don’t know it, then go over it again. Teach
them the mnemonic device again. Have them repeat this process until they understand it.
LESSON TYPE (Pedagogy):
LESSON ELEMENTS:
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I. Lesson Introduction
A. Introduce topic by asking the students what they already know they can see in the
night sky.
1. Put students in groups of about 5, have them discuss the question.
2. Have each group share an answer.
II. Lesson Outline (Teaching Procedures Explained; Pedagogy)
A. Read section in the lesson on stars.
1. Ask students to raise their hand, and say the definition of a star in their own words.
2. Ask students if they have ever used a telescope.
3. If a student has used a telescope, ask them to share their experiences for students
who have not that opportunity.
B. Read section in the lesson on constellations.
1. Ask students if they have ever looked at the night sky.
2. Ask students if they’ve ever seen a constellation in the sky.
C. Read the section in the lesson on the planets.
1. Teach students mnemonics device to remember the planets.
2. My very excellent mother just served us nine pizzas.
D. Hand out work sheet for listing the planets.
1. Explain to students they need to list the planets in correct order.
2. Walk around classroom to observe and give assistance to students who need help.
3. When students are finished, collect the worksheets.
F. Show students Google Goggles.
1. Explain how to use them, and find information using them.
2. Check for understanding.
G. Tell students where we are going for the field trip.
1. Explain rules for the field trip.
2. Assign groups for field trip.
H. When we get to Planetarium have students get into their groups.
1. Hand out Google Goggles.
2. Hand out worksheet.
I. Give students two hours to look around and fill out worksheet.
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III. Lesson Summary (includes closure)
A. Students learned about stars, constellations, planets and the alignment of the planets.
B. Have students (in groups) come to front of the room and share what they learned
about their assigned star or constellation.
C. Have students turn to their neighbor and have them share two things they learned
from the lesson.
DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING ACTIVITIES (Include at least three):
1. Tier 1: All students will be provided with help as the teacher walks around the classroom
and planetarium.
2. Tier 2: Students will be provided with a word bank of all of the planets to put in order.
3. Tier 3: Students will be provided with a picture of each planet and a word bank of all of
the names of the planets to put in order.
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES, MATERIALS, AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Materials: The Harcourt Science textbook, worksheet
2. Technology: Google Goggles, Planetarium
3. Resources: The Harcourt Science textbook, websites provided on the Google Goggles.
HOMEWORK: Students will write a short essay about what they liked about the field trip, and
what they learned from the field trip.
REFLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
1. Do students know the nine planets in order?
2. Did the mnemonic device help the students learn the planets?
3. Was the field trip and effective way to have students learn about constellations and stars?
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