Baltimore County Public Schools Division of Curriculum and Instruction

Lesson Plan

Lesson Pre-assessment and Activity (Day 1)

Unit Title Taking A Closer Look at Space

Objective Students will make observations and read for information in order to
identify the characteristics of the sun.
Alignment Maryland State Curriculum Indicator
Grade 4
2.0 Earth/Space Science
D. Astronomy
1. Identify and describe the variety of objects in the universe
through first-hand observations using the unaided eye,
binoculars or telescopes or videos and/or pictures from reliable
sources.
b. Identify the sun as the Earth’s closest star.

ISTE Standards
1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity
2. Design and develop digital age learning experiences and
assessments
3. Model digital age work and learning
4. Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility

Formative Students will complete the Google form in the Weebly. Students will be
Assessment/ assessed on their ability to identify the sun as the source of heat and
Exemplary light for Earth because it is the closest star to us.
Response
Sample Response
The sun is very important to the Earth. Because it is the closest star
to us, it gives us the heat we need to survive. It also gives us the light
we need to survive. Other stars are too far away for their heat or a
significant amount of light to reach us.

Scoring Tool
3- correct response includes three of the following details: the sun is
the closest star to Earth and it provides us with both heat and light
2- correct response includes two of the following details: the sun is
the closest star to Earth and it provides us with both heat and light

Grade 4 Science 21 Taking a Closer Look at Space

Baltimore County Public Schools Division of Curriculum and Instruction

1- correct response includes one of the following details: the sun is the
closest star to Earth and it provides us with both heat and light
0- no response, response unreadable or unrelated to the activity

Learning Visual Auditory

Preferences Kinesthetic Tactile
Field Dependent Active
Field Independent Reflective
Global Sequential
Lesson Planner Components Brief Description
with  Students go onto the Weebly:
Differentiation
http://takingacloserlookatspace.weebly.com/
 Students then complete the pre-assessment.
Engagement  After submitting the pre-assessment, students
are to write at least one post on the Padlet
explaining what they would like to learn about the
sun.
 Tell students that they will be making
observations about the sun and sunlight.
 Students will view the “Night Sky” tab of the
Weebly.
 Students watch a BrainPop video about the sun.
(Have them log in with the BCPS login.)
Exploration/
 Students will take notes in their Science journals.
Explanation
 Students will explore the digital planetarium.
Have the students select their location and night
mode.
 Students should locate the sun and other stars.
 Students should record two constellations in
their journal to prepare for future lessons.
Materials For the teacher
 vocabulary cards for star and sun (provided on BCPS Intranet)
For the student
 Science Journal
 BCPS Devices
 Headphones

Grade 4 Science 22 Taking a Closer Look at Space

Baltimore County Public Schools Division of Curriculum and Instruction

Vocabulary star – a huge ball of glowing gas that appears as a bright point in the
night sky
sun – a huge ball of gases around which Earth and other planets of
the solar system revolve

Grade 4 Science 23 Taking a Closer Look at Space