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Lesson Idea Name: Exploring our Solar System

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): 4th
Content Standard Addressed: Standard: S4E1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare
and contrast the physical attributes of stars and planets.

Technology Standard Addressed: Creative Communicator

Selected Technology Tool:

☒ Movie (list application):
☐ Audio (list application):
☐ Other: (list)
URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): https://www.dropbox.com

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☐ Remembering ☐ Understanding ☒ Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☒ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☒ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

Students will have the opportunity to choose what planet they would like to present to the class. They will
also be able to choose the way they would like to present it. There are eight planets that they will be able to
select from. The students will be carrying out research on their planet using any of the resources we have
discussed in class as good research tools. Students will have the opportunity to choose to do their research on
the computers or go to the school library to find books about their planet. Students learning will be supported
and enhanced through visual and auditory support. Video can will help students who have any hearing
impairments and the audio can help students will a visual impairment. The teacher can include transcript for
each presentation. Additionally, English learner students can benefit from this project because they can learn
the information based on the pictures they see and associating those pictures with the appropriate
vocabulary words.

Lesson idea implementation:

This lesson will start with the teacher forming a discussion about what the students learned about the solar
system based on the BrainPOP video that the teacher included on the classroom blog. The students will share
with the class the three facts they learned about the solar system. After the discussion is finished, the teacher
will talk about the eight planets and their place in the solar system. The teacher will discuss the similarities
and differences that are noted between the planets. Then, the teacher will have the students organize into
their table groups and choose one planet they would like to research together and present to the class. The
students will be assessed based on their collaboration with their group as well as the presentation they give
to the class.

Spring 2018_SJB
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The teacher will also assess them based on the information they share about their planet. Once the students
have organized their group and have selected their planet, the teacher will provide them with a rubric of what
should be included in their presentation. The teacher will give them a set number of research tools they will
need to have and the requirement length for their video. This lesson could be extended by having the
students share their final product on the classroom blog for others to view their work. We will conclude the
lesson by having the students present their final product to the class. This will take approximately three days
to complete. The teacher will provide feedback to their students by scoring their final presentation based on
the rubric she gave them before they began the project. She will write down any notes for the students and
strengths and weaknesses for the students to look back on.

Importance of technology:

This presentation could be completed without technology by using poster boards and drawings; however, the
students lose the chance to create their own video with their peers. By using technology, it enhances the
students’ skills of researching, communicating, and creativity. They can make their product whatever they
what it to be and are not stuck on just using the same materials as everyone else.

Internet Safety and Student Privacy:

It is important to note that while students are using the internet, there is always a concern of privacy issues
and if their safety is being compromised. In order to provide safety to our students and their personal
information, the teacher will provide the students with a list of websites and resources that are safe to use
while carrying out their research. If the students extended this lesson further and wanted to post their project
to the classroom blog, the teacher would be sure to not include any student names or personal information.
Additionally, the teacher would provide the students with directions on what videos, audio, and images
students can use that are copyright free.

Reflective Practice:

After designing this lesson, I feel that this activity can impact the students’ learning in a very positive way. The
lesson is focused around universal design for learning because it gives the students choice in how they are
carrying out this assignment. They choose what planet they would like to research and how they would like to
present it to the class. They get to decide if they would like to research using the books in the school library or
if they would like to do their research online. Overall, this lesson promotes creativity, communication and
collaboration skills.

Spring 2018_SJB