Lesson Planning

Waynesburg University

Writing the lesson plan:

Translating thoughts into a plan of action
_____________________________________________
Pennsylvania Academic Standard(s) addressed during this lesson:
(Provide Standard number and statement)

Academic Standards: Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening
• 1.1 Learning to Read Independently
A. 1.1.5 Establish the purpose for reading a type of text
(literature, information) before reading.

C. Knowledge of phonics, syllables, prefixes, suffixes, the dictionary or context clues to

decode and understand new words during reading. Use these words accurately in writing and
speaking.

D. Identify the basic ideas and facts in text using strategies (e.g., prior knowledge, illustrations
and headings) and information from other sources to make predictions about text.

G. Demonstrate after reading understanding and interpretation of both fiction and nonfiction
text.
 Clarify ideas and understandings
through reading and discussion.

•
1.2 Reading Critically in All Content Areas
A. 1.2.5 Read and understand essential content of
informational texts and documents in all academic
areas.
 Make inferences about similar
concepts in multiple texts and
draw conclusions.
B. Use and understand a variety of media and evaluate
the quality of material produced.
 Use a variety of media (e.g.,
computerized card catalogues,
encyclopedias) for research.
• 1.8 Research
B. 1.8.5 Locate information using appropriate sources and strategies.
 Select appropriate sources (e.g.,
dictionaries, encyclopedias, other
reference materials, interviews,
observations, computer
databases).
Academic Standards for Science and Technology

3.1 Unifying Themes

C. 3.1.4 Illustrate patterns that regularly occur and reoccur in nature.
 Use knowledge of natural patterns to predict next
occurrences (e.g., seasons, leaf patterns, lunar phases).

3.4 Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics

• 3.4.4 D. Describe the composition and structure of the universe
and the earth’s place in it.
 Recognize earth’s place in the solar system.
 Explain and illustrate the causes of seasonal changes.
 Identify planets in our solar system and their general
characteristics.
 Describe the solar system motions and use them to explain
time (e.g., days, seasons), major lunar phases and eclipses.

Assessment Anchors for Reading:

• R4.A.1 Understand fiction appropriate to grade level.
 R4.A.1.2 Identify and apply word recognition skills.
 R4.A.1.3 Make inferences and draw conclusions based on
text.
 R4.A.1.4 Identify and explain the main ideas and relevant
details.
 R4.A.1.5 Summarize a fictional text as a whole.
 R4.A.1.6 Identify genre of text.
• R4.A.2 Understand nonfiction appropriate to grade.
 R4.A.2.1 Identify and interpret the meaning of
vocabulary in nonfiction.
 R4.A.2.2 Identify and apply word recognition skills.
 R4.A.2.3 Make inferences and draw conclusions based on
text.
 R4.A.2.4 Identify and explain main ideas and relevant
details.
 R4.A.2.5 Summarize a nonfictional text as a whole.
 R4.A.2.6 Identify the genre of text.
• R.4.B.1 Understand components within and between texts.
 R4B.1.1 Identify, interpret, compare, and describe
components of fiction and literary nonfiction.
 R4B.1.2 Make connections between texts.

Assessment Anchors for Science:

• S4.D.3 Composition and Structure of the Universe
 S4.D.3.1 Describe Earth’s relationship to the Sun and the
Moon.
Lesson Objective(s)
(Stated in observable and measurable terms)
• The students will be able to read DK Guide to Space by Peter Bond (1999).

• The students will be able to help complete a FQR chart by orally expressing their
answers.

• The students will be able to complete their own FQR chart by writing in their own
opinions.

• The students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of following directions by

viewing only the sites listed.

• The students will be able to use Open Office to create a flier showing the phases of the
moon.

• The students will be able to listen as the other students participate in the completing of
the FQR chart.

• The students will be able to complete a quiz based on the material that was covered in
class.

Assessment Plan
(What will be done to determine if lesson objectives have been met?)
• A checklist will be completed to assess the students understanding of following
directions while using the computer.

• Assess the students understanding of what they read by their responses to the questions
being asked.

• Observe the students as they use Open Office to create their flier for the phases of the
moon.

• Assess the students’ responses while completing the FQR chart.

• Observe the students while completing their own FQR charts and collect their work.

• Use a rubric to assess the students understanding of the assignment for Open Office.

• The quiz will be collected and graded.

Materials:

• FQR chart, DK Guide to Space, computers, paper, Internet access,

Inclusion Techniques for Students with Special Needs:

• For the student with Down syndrome, more time will be allotted for him to complete the
drawings of the phases of the moon.
 • For the student with Down syndrome, he will be allowed to hold up a picture card to
express his answers when completing the FQR chart. This is in case the student’s speech is
difficult to understand or he does not want to speak.
Enrichment Techniques:

For students who are gifted they will be asked to provide 5-7 facts about each planet instead of
3 facts.

Lesson Differentiation (What modifications/accommodations will be made to ensure that ALL students have access to and are able
to participate in the lesson):

I will have the students complete their flier in the computer lab with the assistance of myself,
the computer teacher, and any support teachers available while we are in the lab. The teacher can
chunk the assignment for students who are having trouble focusing (ADD, ADHD). The teacher will
circulate to ensure the students are on task.

Lesson Presentation
Introduction/Motivational Activities/Anticipatory Set:

Begin the lesson by explaining to the students that for today’s lesson they are going to be
completing an FQR chart based on what they read in DK’s Guide to Space. The students will then be
introduced to Open Office to create a flier based on the phases of the moon.

Detailed Teaching Sequence:

(Provide sufficient detail that would enable a substitute to effectively present this lesson. Bulleted statements are preferred)

• Before reading a selection taken from the DK Guide to Space by Peter Bond (1999), the

students will have to complete a FQR sheet.

• One large FQR chart is created with the help of the students on the board.

• The students will first state the facts they know about moons, and or Pluto after reading

the selection.

• Then, questions will be generated from the facts that were stated.

• Finally, the students will express their responses about the facts and questions that were

recorded.

• After the FQR chart is completed, the students will go to the computer lab to research

about the phases of the moon.

 • While the students are researching the phases of the moon the students will be asked to

generate three questions they have about the phases of the moon.

• After the selection has been read and the FQR chart has been completed the students will

complete their research of Pluto. The students will go to the site:

o http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Pluto.

The students will be able to conduct their research about Pluto on this site. The students

will be asked to compile a list of information they found interesting and a list of questions

they have after researching Pluto.

The students will go to the website:

o http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/moon/Pha
ses.shtml/

This site will help the students take a closer look at the phases of the moon and the

definitions of each phase. This will help the students gain a better understanding of each

phase. After the students read about each phase they will be asked to create a diagram of

the phases.
Guided Practice/Independent Practice/Assessment Activities

• Assessment of the flier will be done using a rubric. Students will be assessed on creativity,
information on the topic, and accurate use of the application.
• Assess the understanding of the phases of the moon using the FQR chart.
• Assess the ability to differentiate the different phases of the moon using question and answer
discussions.

Closure:

To conclude the lesson the students will share their fliers with other students in the class. The
teacher will put students into groups of four and the students will use their fliers to ask their group
members questions about the different phases of the moon. The students will then back their flier with
construction paper to make a classroom display for the science bulletin board.