Lesson Plan Guide

Teacher Candidate: Gracie Hathhorn Date: 4/29/18

Grade and Topic: 4th grade; Phases of the moon Length of Lesson:1 hour 20 minutes

Mentor Teacher: Townes School: University of Memphis

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

● Students will overall be able to analyze patterns, relative movements, and relationships among the sun,
moon, and earth while learning more about the universe as a whole.

LESSON OBJECTIVE:
● Given the different phases of the moon, TLW be able to identify each phase with 100% accuracy.
● Goals and expectations include the full understanding of the different phases and effects of the moon,
while using different types of technology software in order to reflect and learn more about this lesson.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
● 0407.6.1: Organize the phases of the moon in the correct sequence.
● ISTE: Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge,
produce creative learning experiences for themselves and others.

MATERIALS:
● Phases of the moon handout
● Students will use different types of technology technology in order to understand and master the
objective.
● Computer
● http://highered.mheducation.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::800::600::/sites/dl/free/0072482621/
78778/Lunar_Nav.swf::Lunar%20Phases%20Interactive
● WebQuest: http://mrscienceut.net/phasesofthemoonwebquest.html

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:

● Students will understand the phases and effects of the moon, in order to learn more about the universe
altogether.
● Critical and academic language
● General: space, moon, sun, planets
● Technical: phases, new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning
gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent
● This lesson connects and builds on previous lessons by becoming more specific compared to previous
lessons and explains in detail the specific phases and effects of the moon.
● The next lessons will build upon this lesson by focusing on how the moon is a part of many other
aspects in the universe (sun, earth, planets).
● Differentiated activities and assessments will keep students occupied and interested, and overall gain
more knowledge about the moon and the universe as a whole.

PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE:

 ● Introduction: To begin, students will be asked about what they previously know about the moon. This
creates an open discussion and group engagement that will overall keep them focused and motivated to
learn more.
● Procedures:
● Students will read in groups (5 people) the section in the book that discusses the different phases
of the moon. Students who need additional help reading can be assisted with a partner or help of the
teacher. The teacher will walk around to make sure students are staying on task. (15 minutes)
● Computers will be distributed by the teacher to each student, where the students will complete a
WebQuest that discusses definitions of the phases and why we see phases of the moon throughout the
month with a partner to promote student engagement. (45 minutes)
● After the WebQuest, they will participate in the interactive website activity which allows students
to see what the moon looks like on each day of the month at a specific time. (10 minutes)
● Closure: To close, students will receive a handout that they will complete independently in order to
show what they have learned and whether they have mastered the objective or not. (10 minutes)

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:
● Reading in groups is related to the objective due to the fact that reading about the phases of the moon
creates an introduction for the subject and the knowledge they need to continue to the next assessments.
● Technology is an immense part of this lesson. Two ways technology will be implemented is through the
WebQuest, which discusses many aspects of the phases of the moon and the process as a whole. After
developing a general understanding for the phases of the moon, students will participate in the
interactive website activity, which allows students to pick a day and time and see what exactly the moon
looks like during that time. These two technology-based activities will keep the students engaged and
allow them further and master their knowledge about the universe and more specifically, the phases of
the moon.
● The handout is a fill-in-the-blank worksheet, where students fill in the corresponding phase of the moon
to the correct letter. This will also be the assessment piece in order to make sure the students have
mastered the objective of identifying each phase of the moon.

MODIFICATIONS:
● I am aware that modifications will be made for students who did not master the objectives and for those
ready for enrichment. However, modifications are not covered in this course and are not part of this
particular lesson.