Lesson Plan Guide

Teacher Candidate: Sophia Rizzi Date: 4-29-18

Grade and Topic: 3rd grade-Science Length of Lesson: 1-2 days

Mentor Teacher: Jennifer Townes School: University of Memphis-IDT 3600

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

● This graphic organizer lesson plan is part of a bigger unit plan on the solar system and outer space
science.

LESSON OBJECTIVE:
 Given the online tools and sources, students will create a graphic organizer of the solar system and facts
describing them.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
 TN Core Standard: Grade 3, Standard 6- The Universe. GLE 0307.6.1 Identify and compare the major
components of the solar system.

 ISTE Standard:
3. Research and Information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use
information.
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of
sources and media

MATERIALS:
● Computer
● Kidspiration (K-5th)
● Internet Access to a search engine
● Solar System/Planet Website
● Solar System Facts Handout

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:

● Students will demonstrate a clear understanding of a few planets from the solar system to create a
graphic organizer. Through the creation of the graphic organizer, they will provide newly learned facts
from an online source about each planet they choose.
● Academic Language is something that is not addressed in ICT 3600.
● This lesson is a continuation of TN science standard GLE 0307.6.1.
● In reference back to this lesson, we will continue to explore the solar system and all of its components.
Also, students will keep their graphic organizers for future help on the subject.
● I am aware that the lesson will be differentiated for students who did not master the objectives and for
those ready for enrichment. However, modifications are not covered in this course and are not part of
this particular lesson.
PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE:
● Introduction:
1. Begin by discussing the importance of the solar system and give some background information
on it.
2. Give the students time to ask questions about the planets and everything else in the solar system.
3. Explain that they will be using two forms of technology on the computer in this assignment.
● Procedures:

Solar System Facts Handout:

1. Students will receive solar system handout and head to a computer.
2. At the computer, students will look up planet facts on a search engine and begin exploring.
3. After doing some research on a solar system/planet website, students will choose five planets to
include in their graphic organizer.
4. Then, they will write down four facts about each planet on their handout in the spaces provided.
Planet Graphic Organizer:
1. With the planet facts that students have decided to use, they will create a graphic organizer on
Kidspiration.
2. On Kidspiration, students will make the sun the center of their graphic organizer with the five
planets of their choosing surrounding it.
3. In order to make the sun and planets stand out, students will use of different colors and fonts.
This will also add some creative components to the graphic organizer.
4. Students will add photos or graphics for each of the planets and the sun to represent themselves.
5. When the graphic organizer is complete, they will print it out to turn in for grading.

● Closure: Students will volunteer to share their graphic organizers and the planets that they choose to do
their assignment on. After the students’ presentations, all graphic organizers and handouts will be turned
in for a grade.

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:
● Students will demonstrate their understanding of the planet facts through their graphic organizer and
how well it is done. Their understanding of the subject will be monitored through not only the graphic
organizer, but also the solar system fact handout.
● At the end of this lesson plan, each student will have turned in both of their assignments (graphic
organizer and handout) to be graded. These two assignments with show the student’s growth, creativity,
and knowledge of the new information they have learned.

MODIFICATIONS:
 I am aware that modifications will be made for students who did not master the objectives and for those
ready for enrichment. However, modifications are not covered in this course and are not part of this
particular lesson.