SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY

Loretto, PA 15940

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

LESSON PLAN Format

Student Teacher Greg Johnston Grade 3

Subject Science _
Time Needed for Lesson 1 hour Lesson Concept Constellations __

PA STANDARD(S) (Write out standards):

Standard - CC.1.4.3.B

Identify and introduce the topic.

Standard - CC.1.4.3.C

Develop the topic with facts, definitions, details, and illustrations, as appropriate.

BIG IDEAS/ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

The Solar System is a quintessential example of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

EQ: What is the Solar System

ELIGIBLE CONTENT:

E03.C.1.2.2 Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and/or details.

OBJECTIVE(S) (Be sure to include all four parts):

After the lesson, the learner will know that constellations are patterns of stars and different
seasons bring upon different patterns. The lesson will be followed by students working
individually to create a constellation using the lesson as their guide. Each student is expected to
complete the activity on time.

MATERIALS:

 PowerPoint pertaining to Solar System

 Black Construction
 Qtips
 Glue
 White crayon for identifying the season the constellation occurs

ACTIVITIES (There are three sections here):

OPENING (Introduction, purpose, hook)

Has anybody ever met a person with the name “Stella”?

Stella comes from the Latin word for Star.

Latin is an ancient (define ancient – belonging to the very distant past) language spoken in
Rome…we credit the Latin language with many words used in science…including the word
science itself, scientialis

The word constellation also comes from the Latin word for star and the Latin word com
meaning “together”

In other words, a constellation is a group of stars altogether.

BODY (Bulleted step by step/differentiation must be included)

Slide…When you look at stars in the sky how many do you see?

No one could ever count them all.

Some are very bright, while others are hard to see.

This is because some are farther from Earth than others.

Slide…So, how do we tell one star from another?

One way is to use constellations.

Constellations are groups of stars that appear to form animals, people, or objects.

Looking for constellations help us find certain stars.

Cue north star slide.

Discuss Northstar and how it was the guiding star for explorers.

Many constellations were names after many Greek and Roman gods and heroes.

Cue constellation slides pertaining to Aquila, Orion…There are many

Just as seasons bring upon different weather patterns, they also bring upon different star
patterns.

During spring and summer, you can see some constellations that you cannot see in fall
and winter.

Others you can see all year round.

As Earth orbits the sun, the seasons change, and some of the stars you saw in summer
(for example) would be on the other side of the sun during winter.
 CLOSURE (Wrap up and brief summary): How will you plan to restate the lesson
objective?

Why do the sun, the moon, and stars appear to move across the sky?

Earth’s rotation causes this to happen. Therefore, stars may appear directly above you at
9pm and by 11pm they have moved west of you across the sky.

Things we see in the sky change in ways that have become very predictable thanks to
hundreds of years of people looking into the night sky…and the day, just never look
directly into the sun.

Handout materials to complete constellation activity.

ACCOMMODATIONS/MODIFICATIONS:

For those interested in learning more, pick a star or a constellation and track it over the
next few months. Provide a star map to those students who wish to participate.

Materials for activity may be precut and a template may be provided to place q tips in
proper places.

ASSESSMENT: (How you will determine that student has mastered objectives?): Consider
formative and summative assessment measures for all levels of differentiation.

Throughout the lesson students are given opportunities to respond to the different topics
discussed, teacher will listen carefully to check for understanding. The overall success of the
lesson will be determined by students answering questions throughout, by the student’s
attentiveness, and by the student’s ability to create a constellation by the end of class.

SELF-ASSESSMENT/REFLECTION: (Complete this section if you have taught this lesson to

peers or in clinical placement):

The lesson appeared to get sidetracked, when trying to satisfy everyone when end up satisfying
no one. Possibly too much additional information. Students has a whole appear to be growing
tired of the unit. Did not have time for activity. Not sure that Mrs. Reading is ready to turn over
the reigns.