Module 6: Mini Lesson Plan-Creating

Teacher name
Subject
Grade Level
Time duration
Materials needed

Lizzie Leighton
Earth Science
8th Grade
60-80 Minutes
Internet
Animoto
Promethean Board
iPads or Computers
Solar System Notes Packet
Textbook
Instructions/Rubric Sheet

Lesson Objective
SOL ES.3 The student will investigate and understand the
characteristics of Earth and the solar system. Key concepts
include:
a. Position of Earth in the solar system;
b. Sun-Earth-moon relationships; (seasons, tides, and
eclipses);
c. Characteristics of the sun, planets and their
moons, comets, meteors, and asteroids; and
d. The history and contributions of space exploration.
Purpose of the
lesson

Activity

The student will be able to:

1. Explain how the seasons and tides work
2. Be able to list the planets in our solar system
3. Identify the difference between comets, meteors, and
asteroids
4. Know important people, dates, explorations, and
theories of space
5. Use the videos as an additional study guide
Real-World Connection:
1. Understand our position in the solar system, and how
our position affects Earths seasons, tides, and
temperatures.
1. Teacher will review the solar system, seasons, tides,
eclipses, and contributions to space exploration with
students, and ask for any questions pertaining to the
material.

Assessment

2. Students will be placed into one of six groups:

Seasons
Space exploration
Comets, meteors, and asteroids
Inner Planets
Outer Planets
Solar System facts and theories
3. Students will watch an example made by the teacher on
The Sun
(https://animoto.com/play/snsN7W8e9NIyGnRRTBh
1SQ) to see what is expected in their own group videos.
4. Teacher will explain project directions, show students
how to create a video, and how to use the digital tools
provided to make their video attractive.
a. Students will work together to create an Animoto
video that is geared towards their assigned topic.
The video should highlight key points of their topic,
include images, appropriate music, a video time
ranging from 2-4 minutes, and show an
understanding of the digital tools used, and
demonstrate knowledge of the topic material.
b. Students will be able to use their textbooks and their
class notes and/or worksheets to draw information
from.
b. To practice safe and legal technology use, students
will write down the sites in which their photos came
from on their rubric, which will be turned in at the
end of class.
5. While students are working in groups, the teacher will
walk around the classroom to assist students, hear ideas
and positive communication within the groups, and to
make sure everyone is giving input and has a job within
the group.
6. There will be a 15, 30, and 45-minute reminder to the
students so they are conscious of their time left to finish.
7. Once time is up, or the group is finished, they will send
the teacher an email with the link to their video on the
Animoto website for grading.
8. Next class, students will share their videos with their
peers in front of the class and answer any questions the
students may have pertaining to the groups topic.
Can students recognize the relationship between the Earth,
Sun, and Moon?
Can the students list the planets and their characteristics

within our solar system?

Can students list scientific advances within our solar
system?
Teachers example created with Animoto:
https://animoto.com/play/snsN7W8e9NIyGnRRTBh1SQ