The Night Sky

The Night Sky

Author(s):

My name is Kim Baker. This lesson plan is based off a plan done by a group including myself, Sarah Wallace, Cheralyn Gaeddert, and Katie Kerr in Block 2 of the teaching program. This lesson was used during a study of stars and it was modified to be longer and include technology.


Grade Level:

5th grade

Timeframe:
This is a 10 day, or 2 week lesson on stars. The lesson will be approximately 60 minutes each day.

Lesson Description or Explanation

Students will be learning and understanding stars and their lifecycle. Students will create a group presentation to share with their class. The presentation will be given in a technology form where choices are given to the students.

Indiana Curricular Standards


Language Arts
5.2.1 Use the features of informational text, such as formats, graphics, diagrams, illustrations, charts, maps, and organization, to find information and support understanding.
5.7.5 Clarify and support spoken ideas with evidence and examples.
Art
5.6.2 Utilize new interests, current events, or personal experiences as subject matter in artwork.
Science
5.3.3
Observe the stars and identify stars that are unusually bright and those that have unusual colors, such as reddish or bluish.
5.3.2
Observe and describe that stars are like the sun, some being smaller some being larger, but they are so far away that they look like points of light.



ISTE Standards

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Assessments
Formative/Summative

Formative: For this assessment the students will be keeping journals through their investigating and research. This journal will be used for keeping notes, keeping vocabulary information, as well as concept maps where the students will show their prior knowledge and their new learning. Also, for this assessment students will be creating some form of technology to present their idea of the lifecycle of a star to their class. This assessment will be graded on a rubric to see if the student first incorporates the technology needed, the information about stars and a creative view for their classmates.
Summative: The main part of this lesson is based on formative assessment.

Prior Knowledge

Curricular Knowledge or Skills: Students will need some prior knowledge of the solar system and space. The way that I will assess this prior knowledge is by first voice recording the conversation of the students. It will begin with a thinking starter where I will ask children to voice the first words that come to mind when they hear the word star. Responses will also be simultaneously recorded on chart paper. Students will then draw the first image that comes to mind when they hear the word star. I will lay out pictures of “real” stars on the table for children to see.
They will then journal for a few minutes about what they know about stars.
I will also have them journal any questions that come to mind. The students will group share with drawings, ideas, and questions. I will record group sharing on chart paper.
Then, the student’s journal after hearing their peers, what they are interested in learning more about. Also ask them and have them write about the different ways they think they could learn more about stars.
Technology Knowledge: Students will need the basic skills of computer use. From Microsoft Word to internet searching. Students will also need understanding of the technology that will be available for their presentations. Students will have the opportunity to create a PowerPoint presentation, a graffiti wall based on technology information, or a video or webcast.


Technology


Internet Resources: (please list URLs) These sites will help student when researching for their projects and learning about the solar system and stars.
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/
http://www.aao.gov.au/images.html/
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/
http://www.nasa.gov/

Hardware: Computers with internet access, printer capable of printing photos as well as papers and diagrams, tape recorders, and video cameras.

Software: Microsoft Office, webcast software, Kidspiration
Materials: Students will also need journals, pencils, markers, poster board, and different types of paper.

Procedure

Day 1: We will begin this unit with an activity created on Kidspiration by the teacher. The activity will be called, “What are those white dots in the night sky?” Students will work on this activity prior to our introduction unit.
Day 2: Building Prior Knowledge:
· Explain/Introduce the tape recorder and why and how we will be using it. Make sure they are comfortable with it by letting them hear their voices played back.
· Thinking starter will ask children to voice the first words that come to mind when they hear the word star. Responses will be simultaneously recorded on chart paper.
· Next students will draw the first image that comes to mind when they hear the word star.
· Lay out pictures of “real” stars on the table for children to see.
· Have them journal for a few minutes what they know about stars.
· Also have them journal any questions that come to mind.
· Group share with drawings, ideas, and questions.
· Record group sharing on chart paper.
· Have them journal after hearing their peers, what they are interested in learning more about. Also ask them and have them write about the different ways they think they could learn more about stars.
Day 3: Students will be split into groups of no more than 5 per group. They will begin discussing the important ideas about stars. They will begin discussing what is most important to their group that was written on chart paper the previous day. Students will come to a consensus of what they would like to present to the class the next week. Students will begin using this time to research information on their specific topics.
Day 4 –Day 6: These days will consist of students researching websites, books, and other medias to find information on their topic of stars. Students will also begin discussing how they will present this topic to the class. They will be given the option of PowerPoint, a graffiti wall based on technology information, or a video or webcast. Students will then begin researching how they will affectively prepare and present this topic and technology.
Day 7-Day 9: Students will begin creating their presentation for their star topic. With the choice of three technologies they must all actively participate in production and in presentation of the material. Students must collaborate well and build a presentation that will teach us about their topic of stars. Day 9 will be the final day for any last minute presentation work.
Day 10: Students will present their star topic to the class and teach us about that topic. It is important that students all participate in the presentation. Students will be assessed on this presentation by a rubric that focuses on collaboration, technology use, and use of important information.

Differentiated Instruction

ESL
Some internet sites that are open for use have both English and Spanish wording so that students still learning English will still be capable to learn the material whether they are reading English or Spanish.

Challenge/Extend

For my students with challenges I would make this lesson as much hands on as I can. If I focus on the 5th graders I am with now those students with challenges work best with hands on activities. The graffiti wall would be best for them to create They can focus on building their information and having a space to themselves to create a wall of what they are learning.

Special Needs

For those students with special needs I would take the time to first group them with students from the general education class. It is important to me that they all have a general education no matter if there is a disability or not. For those students who need vocal assistance with the computer I would use headphones as well as microphone so students could hear and speak to the computer to do what is needed.