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ASSURE Model Instructional Plan

The Solar System, Seasons, and Moon Tides
6th Grade
Science
Lesson length: 75 minutes
Analyze Learners

Total number of students: 20

Male students: 9
Female students: 11
Students with low learning skills: 3
ESL Student:1
Hearing Impaired:1
SPL IEP: 4
Visual/Spatial learners (approximately 1/3 of students)
Kinesthetic learners (approximately 1/3 of students)
Verbal/linguistic learners (two to three students)
Interpersonal learners (one or two students)
Logical/Mathematical (one or two students)

State Objectives

6.8 The student will investigate and understand the organization of the solar system and the
interactions among the various bodies that comprise it. Key concepts include
a) the sun, moon, Earth, other planets and their moons, dwarf planets, meteors, asteroids, and comets;
b) relative size of and distance between planets; c) the role of gravity; d) revolution and rotation;
e) the mechanics of day and night and the phases of the moon; f) the unique properties of Earth as a
planet;
g) the relationship of Earths tilt and the seasons;
h) the cause of tides; and
i) the history and technology of space exploration.
Select Media, Materials, and Methods

Media:
4 classroom computers with internet access
Webquest Word document installed on desktop
Overhead Projector
Projection Screen

Materials:
4 classroom computers
Webquest word document
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Webquest paper document

Overhead projector
Projection Screen
Library Books about Space
Library Books about the Moon and Tides
Video about the seasons
Construction paper (Blue or Black)
Planet cutouts
Pins
Glue
Pencils
Coloring tools (markers, colored pencils)
Scissors

Methods

Whole group discussion skills to investigate and inquire about outer space, the seasons, and tides.
Whole group introduction to outer space, the seasons and tides
Whole group instruction of center activities
Small group centers
- Space coloring
- NASA Webquest
- Seasons Webquest
- Moon Tides Research Books

Utilize Media, Materials, and Methods

Media:

4 classroom computers with internet access: Will be used to do Webquest on outer space
and the seasons. Will have Webquest document downloaded on all computers
Webquest Word document installed on desktop: Webquest word document will contain
questions pertaining to space, the moon and tides, seasons, and space explorations.
Overhead Projector: Will be used to explore images of space and discuss space exploration.
Projection Screen: Will be used to explore images of space and discuss space exploration.

Materials:

Library Books about Space: Will be used in a center to find answers in webquest.
Library Books about the Moon and Tides: Will be used in center to find answers to webquest.
Video about the seasons: Will be used on two of the classroom computers to find answers to
webquest about the seasons.
Construction paper (Blue or Black): Will be used in centers to create a backdrop for students space
project.
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Planet cutouts: Will be used in centers to decorate planets and moons.

Pins: Will be used to pin planet cutouts together so that students can spin half of the planet up and
write information about the planet on the bottom side.
Glue: Will be used to attach planets to construction paper.
Pencils: Will be used to write information on web quests and on planet projects.
Coloring tools (markers, colored pencils): Will be used to decorate planet projects.
Scissors: Will be used to cut out planets for planet project.

Methods:

Whole Group Planet Exploration: The teacher will utilize the projector to show students images of
the solar system, earth, and planets. The teacher will ask the students about their knowledge of this
topic and invite discussion about the characteristics of planets, seasons, moons, and tides.

Whole Group Introduction to Web Quest: The teacher will describe the task for the day. The students
will research information about the planets, earths seasons, the moon, and tides. They will use the
computers and centers to find this information. In the end, they will create imagery that displays their
knowledge.

Whole Group instruction of Center Activities: The teacher will introduce each center and explain the
procedures. The students will be divided into groups of five. They will be instructed to work together
to find the information to the webquest questions in three of the stations. The fourth station will
demonstrate their knowledge of the information. The stations will be 15 minutes long. If the project
is not completed in class, it will be taken home and completed as homework.

Require Learner Participation

Whole Group Planet Exploration:

During this time the teacher will invite the students to identify specific planets on the overhead
projector. The teacher will discuss exciting facts about the planets. The teacher will ask questions
about the tides and seasons that evoke curiosity. The teacher will encourage the students to ask
questions about these topics. The students will be given some simple information about the topics.

Whole Group Introduction to Webquest:

The teacher will discuss the activities of the day with the students. The teacher will tell the students
they will complete a webquest in groups. The teacher will tell the students about the exciting
exploration they will get to do on NASAs interactive website regarding the solar system to get the
students engaged. The teacher will encourage the students to begin thinking of their hypotheses to the
questions on the webquest.

Whole Group Instruction of Center Activities:

The teacher will explain and demonstrate how to complete each center activity. The teacher will
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utilize the overhear projector and Webquest to demonstrate the process. The teacher will utilize the
materials for the solar system project to demonstrate how they will be used to create the final
product. The teacher will divide students into groups of five where they will collaborate on each
activity. The students will follow the teachers instructions in order to complete the assignment
thoroughly. The teacher will be engaged in the centershelping when the students have questions.

Small Group Center Activities:

TSW work in groups of five to collaborate on each center activity. Each center rotation will last
fifteen minutes.

NASA Solar System Exploration: The student will use NASAs interactive planet exploration
website to find information on each planet for their webquest.
Seasons Video: The students will observe an instructional video about Earths seasons and
listen for information that answers questions in their webquest.
Moon and Tides research books: The students will skim through different research books to
find information about the moon and tides for their webquest.
Planet Project: The students will take the information they found in their webquest and write
it on a blank cutout of the appropriate planet. The students will be required to pin an identical
planet cutout on top of the information planet and decorate it. The students will glue the
planets and moons on construction paper that resembles the sky and label it.

Each of these center activities appeals to multiple intelligences. Kinesthetic learners use coloring
tools, scissors, and paper to replicate the solar system. Every activity is visually stimulating in a
unique manner. The computer activities require engaging and exploration while the planet project is
visually creative. Interpersonal learners will be able to work with their peers as a team. All of these
things create a diverse learning environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, movement,
speaking, observing, and more
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Evaluate & Revise

Student Performance:

The students will be evaluated on each center activity by the information retrieved for the webquest
and presented in the planet project. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and
location of planets through proper planet displays. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the
Moon and Tides and Seasons by correct answers on their webquest. The student will demonstrate
knowledge of space exploration history through the webquest. The students will also demonstrate
collaboration by participation in the group centers.

Instructor Performance:

During the center activities, the instructor will observe students discussions and answers to certain
webquest questions. The teacher will observe the creation of planet projects and give helpful tips.
The teacher will collect WebQuest charts and planet projects when complete. The teacher will review
anything that needs more discussion and further instruction the next class.

Media Performance:

The media used in the lesson provided an interactive platform for students to research knowledge
necessary to complete a standard. If the students were able to view the season video and planet
exploration website, the media was used successfully.