ED 315 LESSON PLAN Lesson #3

Format and Cooperating Teacher Feedback Form

Name: Amanda Dlugi
Content Area: Astronomy: Introduction to the Solar System: The Size and Scale of Planets
Date: 03/19/13
Grade Level: 10th- 12th

Goal(s):
National Science Education Content Standards:
Earth and Space Science: Content Standard D:
- As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of energy in
the earth system, geochemical cycles, origin and evolution of the earth system, origin and evolution
of the universe.
- As a result of their activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of the
structure of the Earth system, Earths history, and Earth in the solar system.

A DNA: Do Now Activity, will be used in order to pre-assess the students level
of understanding of the solar system. This will be done by students following the
instructions on a hand out provided to them, and we will review the objectives
that we will meet pertaining to the solar system over the course of three day.
Students will be asked to do the following on a hand out:
1. On the back of this sheet of paper, draw a picture of our solar system. In your drawing, show the
different sizes of the planets and where they are located. Label everything.
2. Using the chart below, list what you know about our solar system in the column What I Know. In the
column, What I Want to Know, write down some questions you have about our solar system.

Pre-assess:

Objective(s)::

1. Students will be able to create a size and scale model of our solar system in order to be
able to analyze the difference in size between the planets, as well as locate the distance each planet is
from the Sun.

Assessment:

Informal:

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Throughout the duration of this lesson, I will record the progress of students
individually throughout the day by make abbreviations of students names on a
post-it note and recording the following:
- tallying next to their name if they make a comment or answer
- a question mark if they ask a question
- a check mark if they behaved inappropriately and discipline was issued
A DNA, Do Now Activity, warm-up exercise will be issued in order to preassess the understanding levels of the students on the topic of the solar system.
Follow up questions handout: after the solar system model to assess if individual
students were able to grasp the material.

Formal: After learning about the solar system over three days, students will be
administered a paper and pencil assessment to determine if the students were able to
grasp an understanding of concepts pertaining to the solar system.

Materials Needed:

Totaltime
timeneeded:
needed:
Total

Post-it notes
Folders for each student for the course of three days
Receipt paper rolls (approximately 4m each roll)
Power Point created by Amanda Dlugi
Projector and document camera
Projection screen
~20 printed copies of DNA warm-up exercise handout
~20 printed copies of The Size and Scale Model of Our Solar System handout
~20 printed copies of Follow up Questions handout
Chalk Board
Writing utensils
20 I-pads/ laptops
Molding Clay (approximately 15lbs)
~20 Manila Folders
___

90 minutes total:
15-20 minutes: DNA warm-up exercise and Review of Basic Concepts
10 minutes: Provide instructions to students for daily activities
40-50 minutes: Work time for students on building their model of size and scale of the solar system, as well as
answer the attached questions pertaining to the model they produced.
10-15 minutes: Work on follow up questions individually, go through the answers together, and turn in to folder
at the end of class.

Procedures:
Procedures:
(Include time allotments)
Introduction:
15- 20 minutes: Do Now Activity, will be used in order to pre-assess the students level of understanding of
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the solar system. This will be done by students following the instructions on a hand out provided to them, and
we will review the objectives that we will meet pertaining to the solar system over the course of three day.
Also, a brief review of some of the incorporate concepts will be covered, as well as the objectives for the day
will be stated. Students will be given a few minutes to create a pneumonic device to help them remember the
order of the planets form the sun.
Steps for instruction:
10 minutes: The instructions to the daily activity will be provided to the students.
40-50 minutes: Students will be given the time to work in their groups to develop a scale of the solar system.
Closure:
10-15 minutes: Students will have the time to answer follow up questions pertaining to the activity, as well as
any clarifications will be made. If time permits, a Bill Nye video will be played to review a main concept that
was covered with the students.

Strategies for students requiring additional assistance:

If recommended by my cooperating teacher, I will be sure make adjustments to this lesson plan as
needed in order to accommodate the learners in his classroom. For example, to accommodate the needs
of students that have a difficulty in reading/seeing, I will be sure to read each question posted out loud to

the class, as well as provided a printed copy of the questions to the students.
To meet the needs of those who have difficulty understanding the material, I will be monitoring student
understanding throughout the solar system scale activity, so I will be able to address any individual
questions of students, as well as monitor participation. I will also ask for the assistance of my
cooperating teacher to complete these actions effectively so that all students receive the attention they
need. Also, for students that need more practice the material, with the permission of my cooperating
teacher, I will instruct students to come to his room after class on the day of my lesson or also during his

preparation period/ over lunch the following day with any questions that they may have.
For students that understand the information clearly and are ready to move on, I will be sure to instruct
them to assist classmates that appear to be struggling with the material, and also continue their own
practice with the material. Also, I will be sure to talk to Mr. Coffey about any additional assignments or
tasks that can be provided to these learners.

Cooperating Teacher Signature:

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Cooperating Teacher Feedback:

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Lesson date: ___________________________