Lesson Plan-Planets

I. RATIONALE:

It is important for students to be aware of our galaxy and the planets that are in our galaxy. Planets are a grade level curriculum and meets the standards for first grade.

II. OVERVIEW

Grade Level: 1st

Subject(s): Science

Topic of Study: Planets in our Solar System

Time Allotment: 2- 60 minute sessions

Standards: PO 2. Compare celestial objects (e.g., Sun, Moon, stars, etc.) and transient objects in the sky (e.g., clouds, birds, airplanes, contrails).

PO. 3 Describe observable changes that occur in the sky, (e.g., clouds forming and moving, the position of the Moon, etc.).

Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure. (1.W.2)

Objectives: Students will be able to write a letter explaining a new planet they have found, and some facts about their planet. Students will be able to use Pixie to type their letter, as well as create a model of their planet.

This lesson will be taught in the fourth quarter of their year. Students will have been taught  the necessary resources they need to create their planet by this point in the year. 

Procedure: TW start lesson by asking students, "what do you know about the solar system? Tell me something that you know." After students reply, teacher will begin powerpoint, going through each of the planets, and telling them basic facts, as well as their position in the solar system. Students will follow along on specified website on GoogleSlides. Once teacher has finished powerpoint, TW give students a template of a letter, which requires the student to explain their newly discovered planet and facts about their planet, there are blanks on the template that they are required to fill in. Once students have completed the template, they will open Pixie, and create 2 slides. On the first slide, they will type up the letter they have written. The second slide will have a picture of their planet, that they have created independently. Once students have completed their planet, if there is time, they will share/present their planet to the group.  

III. IMPLEMENTATION

Technology Integration: Teacher is using GoogleSlides to show students the planets and their order. Students are using Pixie to type up their letter as well as create their planet. 

Differentiated Instruction:

Cognitive delay- If students are struggling with reading the letter template, they can create their own letter, and type up what they have.

Gifted- Students could make a physical model, and they could also create an entire galaxy instead of just one planet. 

ELL- No modifications are needed, some key vocabulary may need to be taught to student.

IV. ASSESSMENT

Procedure: We will have a hard copy of the letter template that students wrote, as well as their Pixie slides. Their planet must include the following facts:

1. How far it is away from the sun

2. The temperature on the planet

3. Colors of the planet

4. How many moons it has

5. How long a day on their planet is in comparison to Earth

6. How many hours there are in one day on their planet

7. One cool thing they 'discovered'

Instruments: We will have the letter template, as well as the Pixie slides. Students are using the computers almost completely independently, with little support from the teacher. 

IIV. MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

Teacher has created the letter template, as well as the powerpoint presentation that students follow along with. TW provide a pencil for students to handwrite their first draft of the letter. Students will use a computer independently.