UbD Lesson Plan Template

Teacher’s Name: Kelcey Miller

Lesson Title: Exploring the Planets of the Solar System
Subject/Course: Science
Grade Level: 4
Approximate Time Frame: 5 class periods
Essential Vocabulary: planet, solar system, characteristic
Stage 1 – Desired Results
Established Goals:

Standard 3.3.4.B1: Identify planets in our solar system and their basic characteristics.

Objective: During an independent activity, all fourth grade students will complete an
information guide with five characteristics of a planet and create a 3D model of the planet.

Understandings: Essential Questions:

Students will understand that…  What are the eight planets of the
 There are eight planets in our solar solar system? (Bloom’s Level 1)
system.  How can we compare and contrast
 While all of the planets share some the planets of the solar system?
common characteristics, each planet (Bloom’s Level 4)
has its own unique features.
Students will know… Students will be able to…
 The names of the eight planets of the  Research a planet of their choice
solar system  Create an information guide about
 The characteristic that all planets of the planet
the solar system have in common  Construct a 3D model of the planet
 The features that make each planet  Present the information guide and 3D
unique model to their classmates
 Take notes on their classmates’
presentations
 Identify 2 characteristics that all
planets have in common
Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence
Performance Task: Summary in GRASPS form

Goal: Your task is to research a planet and create an information guide and a 3D model of the
planet.
Role: You are an astronomer researching one of the planets of our solar system.
Audience: The audience includes the other astronomers in our class who do not know much
about the planet you have studied.
Situation: You are at a convention about the planets of our solar system.
Performance: You will create a presentation to inform the other astronomers of your
discoveries.
Standards: Your information guide and 3D model must address the criteria in the rubric.
Key Criteria
Information Guide:
 Your name
 Name of planet
 5 characteristics of the planet
3D Model of Planet:
 Name of planet is on cardstock holder
 Cardstock holder is decorated with colors that relate to the planet
 Cardstock holder is assembled neatly
 3D model accurately represents the planet in terms of color
 3D model is painted neatly
 3D model fits inside the cardstock holder
Other Evidence
 Self-Assessment Rubric
 Planet Characteristics Pages for Interactive Notebook
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Learning Activities
Students will
 Complete a pre-assessment to see what they already know about the planets of the
solar system
 Glue the Planet Characteristics Pages into their interactive notebook for the unit
 Participate in a Reader’s Theater to learn the characteristics of the planets and hook
their interest
 Choose the planet that they would like to research and explain their reasoning on a
Planet Selection Slip
 Visit a website and read information about their planet
 Locate 5 characteristics of their planet
 Write the name of the planet and 5 characteristics of the planet on the Planet
Information Guide
 Using a picture of the planet as a guide, paint the Styrofoam ball so that it resembles
the planet
 Decorate the cardstock holder with the planet’s name and colors related to the planet
 Assemble the cardstock holder and attach the 3D model (Styrofoam ball) to it with
glue
 Self-evaluate their information guide and 3D model using the rubric
 Present their information guide and 3D model to their classmates
 Listen to their classmates’ presentations
 Write notes on the information from their classmates’ presentations on the Planet
Characteristics Pages
  Draw and color a picture of each planet on the Planet Characteristics Pages
 Write 2 characteristics that all the planets have in common in the Planet
Characteristics Pages

The teacher will

 Post the learning targets and discuss them with the students so that the students
know where the unit is going and what is expected of them
 Review the answers for the pre-assessment with the students
 Divide the class into groups so that each student has the opportunity to participate in
the Reader’s Theater
 Explain the directions for the information guide, 3D model, and presentation
 Provide students with a rubric for the information guide and 3D model
 Record the planet that each student is researching on the Planet Research List
 Give students a list of recommended websites that they can use to research their
planet
 Show students an example of a completed information guide and 3D model
 Explain that the class will be divided in half and one group of students will present
while the other group walks around and listens to the presentations then the two
groups will switch
 Explain and model how the students will present their information guide and 3D
model when classmates walk over to their display
 Explain and model how the students will walk around, listen to one presentation for
each planet, and record the information on the Planet Characteristics Pages
 Tailor the instruction to students with unique learning needs by providing
accommodations to students who need them:
- Students with learning disabilities in the area of reading will be directed to
websites with text-to-speech software that will read the information aloud
- Students with dysgraphia or cerebral palsy who have difficulty writing or holding a
pencil will be given electronic versions of the Information Guide and Planet
Characteristics Pages so that they can type their notes
 Tailor the instruction to students with unique learning needs by providing
modifications to students who need them:
- Students who are gifted will be encouraged to locate more than five
characteristics of their planet
Key Resources Used:
 Planets Pre-Assessment
 Planets Reader’s Theater
 Planet Selection Slips
 Planet Research List
 List of Recommended Websites for Planet Research
 Planet Information Guide
 Rubric
 Styrofoam Balls (2.8 inch diameter) – 1 for each student
 Glue
 Acrylic craft paints
 Paint brushes
 Yarn
 Cardstock holder – 1 for each student
 Planet Characteristics Pages
 Interactive notebooks