Developmental Lesson Plan

Teacher Candidate: Nicole Smith and Rachel Ficco Date: 3/23/17

Group Size: 20-25 students Allotted Time 45 minutes Grade Level 3rd grade

Subject or Topic: How big is your crater?

Common Core/PA Standard(s):
3.3.3.B1
-Relate the rotation of the earth and day/night, to the apparent movement of the sun,
moon, and stars across the sky. Describe the changes that occur in the observable shape of the
moon over the course of a month.

Learning Targets/Objectives:
The third grade students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of craters on the
moon by participating in a crater drop inquiry.
Assessment Approaches: Evidence:
1. Watch and ask questions to further 1. Observation
understanding 2. Checklist
2. Stop light method
.
Assessment Scale:
The students will be assessed by their responses in their science journal about the crater
drop inquiry. In their journal entry, students should be talking about predictions on
what they think will happen when they drop a heavy ball in the sand compared to
dropping a small ball. Students will also include measurements of the craters they
made.

Subject Matter/Content: How craters are formed on the moon

Prerequisites: Basic understanding of the moon
Key Vocabulary:
Moon- ball of rock that orbits around Earth
Craters- large holes on the surface of the moon caused by heavy impacts from asteroids
and comets
Content/Facts: Craters can vary in size. Highland regions are heavily cratered and Maria
regions are dark and smooth.

Introduction/Activating/Launch Strategies:
Teacher will begin class by reviewing what the students learned the day before.
Teacher will begin a class discussion by asking the students what they know about the
moon.
Teacher will then read the book The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons

Development/Teaching Approaches
After the teacher reads the book, students will take out their science notebook to take
notes.
Students will take notes while watching a video all about the moon.
After the video, the teacher will go over important parts of the video and ask questions.
Teacher will go through a power point to help reinforce the ideas from the video.
To begin the inquiry, the teacher will explain the rules and expectations.
After explaining the rules and expectations, the teacher will hand out inquiry sheets
Before students begin, they will be asked to make predictions of what will happen
when they drop heavy balls into the sand compared to smaller balls.
Students will record their predictions on the inquiry sheets
After students have made predictions, students will drop different sized balls into sand
to represent a crater being formed by a comet or asteroid.
Once students have made their crater, they will measure how big it is.
Students will record their measurements on their inquiry sheets.
Students will also make a drawing of what their crater looks like
Closure/Summarizing Strategies:
After students are finished with their crater drop, they will clean up their station/table.
Reflective Response:
Report of Student Learning Target/Objectives Proficiency Levels

Remediation Plan (if applicable)

Personal Reflection Questions

Additional reflection/thoughts