Instructional Planning Grid By Marc Thiltgen, 6 th Grade Science

1. TEKS: 112.18 Science Grade 6 7(A): Research and Debate the advantages
and disadvantages of Earths Finite and Renewable Energy Resources.
Objective: Students will work together to research and analyze each of
earths energy resources. Students will create graphic organizers to
demonstrate their findings. A class debate will cement the concepts
2. Big Understanding: Deciding what energy resources our society should
commit to using should be done by analyzing all the advantages and
disadvantages. Propaganda in modern media has no place for societys
important decisions
3. Assessment Evidence: Students in groups will create posters that will be
segmented in to four equal sections. Each group member will participate.
Posters will be taped to walls and class will do a gallery walk. Students will
be allowed to comment on posters using post-it notes. I will then have class
separate into four groups for a debate: A Pro/Con for renewable resources
and a pro/con for finite resources.
4. Opening Hook: I will ask students to use their tablet and Mindmash
application. I will give students 5 minutes to brainstorm as many positives
and negatives without stating what energy resource. I will then show results
to class on screen of all the results. While students are doing the
brainstorming I will show YouTube clips of news reports on pro/con of earths
different energy resources. I will show the MindMash results while they do
group posters.
5. Instructional Strategies/Activities: I will provide an edited video to illustrate
different viewpoints on the topic. I will Model how to make the graphic
organizer. I will keep students on task by keeping the clock. I will use A, B, C,
D system to create heterogeneous groups so that student of all levels work
together. I will have students learn how to use technology by having them
use tablet with productivity applications. I will have students discuss how
what they learned will help them question articles and stories they hear and
read in modern media.
Students: I will have students create work in group setting. With all the
information created by the groups, students will take knowledge to a higher
level by having a debate on the issue. Students will use classroom
technology extensively during exercise to develop and communicate
knowledge on the topic.
6. Materials/Resources: 5 poster sheets, 5 markers, tape, post-it notes, tablets
7. Grouping Patterns: Heterogeneous groups of 4 for graphic organizer project
and for debate

8. Ending, Summary/Reflection: What will society value more in the future? Is

Information found on TV, the internet, or in movies free of bias? As future
scientist or citizens what is our responsibility to society?