Lesson Plan: Star Charts and Constellations

Teacher Candidate: Madison Lansdon Date: April 30, 2017

Grade and Topic: Grade 5, Science

Length of Lesson: 60 to 90 minutes over four days.

Mentor Teacher: Marla Phillips School: University of Memphis IDT-3600

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

The Star Chart Lesson plan will expand upon the students knowledge of space and the universe. The student
will learn to recognize the purpose of star charts and will learn how to use them to identify star patterns.

LESSON OBJECTIVE:
Given a star chart, TLW be able to identify its purpose with 100% accuracy.
Given a computer, TLW be able to use it to research a constellation and present their found information with a
score of at least three out of four on the rubric.
Given a group, TLW interact with their classmates to create a PowerPoint presentation with a score of at least
three out of four on the rubric.
GOAL: The goal of this lesson is for the students to demonstrate a clear understanding of star charts and their
purpose as well as an understanding of what constellations are.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
1) TN State Standard 6 The Universe:
a) GLE 0507.6.2 Recognize that charts can be used to locate and identify star patterns.

b) SPI 0507.6.3 Identify methods and tools for identifying star patterns.

2) ISTE Standard
a) 4b) Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.

b) 6a) Understand and use technology systems.

MATERIALS:
Materials Used
Laptop or Desktop Computer (preferably PC, but Macintosh may be substituted if need be)
Pencil or Pen
Paper
Internet Access
Microsoft Paint or Similar Art Application
Microsoft PowerPoint or Similar Application
Microsoft Word or Similar Application
 Technology Integration
This lesson integrates technology by using a variety of tools to assist learning. The students will
view educational videos, use websites to view the labeled night sky, and also will use computer
applications such as Microsoft Paint and PowerPoint to create projects.

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:

Students will demonstrate a clear understanding of star charts and their purpose.
Academic Language is not addressed in IDT 3600
This lesson is a continuation of TN science standard 6.0
We will use the projects made in this lesson to reference for information later on in the course.
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: To begin the lesson pass out the handout sheet to evaluate how well the students already know
the material. After distributing and filling out the handout quiz, begin by displaying Super Stars
(Constellations): Crash Course Kids #31.1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZffhapfOgg) and
Constellation Location: Crash Course Kids #31.2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbzCA0Lgf3Y) to
introduce the lesson.
Procedures:
1) After the brief pre-evaluation of the class knowledge on star charts and constellations has been conducted
and the videos have been watched, the teacher will direct the students to turn on their computers and open up an
internet browser.

Teacher Procedures Student Procedures

1) Distribute and conduct evaluation and 1) Complete evaluation quiz and watch the
display introductory videos. introductory videos.
2) Distribute computers or enter computer 2) Receive a computer or enter computer
laboratory. laboratory.

3) Prompt students to open the internet 3) Open computer, open an internet

browser and navigate to browser, and access
http://www.astroviewer.com http://www.astroviewer.com

2) Upon accessing astroviewer.com, students will be asked to navigate to the current night sky tab. The students
may choose any city of their choice by searching the city in the search bar to the left of the website. After
choosing the city of their choice, the students will be asked to open Microsoft Paint, or similar application on
their computer.

Teacher Procedure Student Procedure

1 Instruct students to navigate to current night sky.
) After students have navigated to this link, instruct
them to choose a city to view the constellations.
2 Instruct students to draw a constellation of their
) choice on a piece of paper.
3 After students have finished drawing their
) constellation, instruct the students to open Microsoft
Paint or a similar application on their computer.
4 Instruct students to use the art application to draw
After navigating to the current night sky,
choose a city to view the constellations in
the current night sky.
Draw a constellation of your choice on a
piece of paper.
After drawing the constellation, open up
the application Microsoft Paint or a
similar application on your computer.
Draw your constellation on the art
 ) their constellation on the computer. The students will application and include a text box with
need to include the constellations name and why they the constellations name and why you
liked this constellation. liked this constellation.

The following day, the students will be put in groups. These groups will research a well-known constellation
and star charts. The research gathered should be written on paper or written in a word document.

Teacher Procedure Student Procedure

1) The teacher should assign students in even
groups.
2) Assign each group a well known
constellation to research such as The
Little Dipper or Orions Belt piece of paper or word document.
3) In addition to the constellation, assign all
the groups the task of researching the
purposes of star charts and any information
they personally find interesting about them.
Be assigned to a group in your class.
Research the constellation assigned to your group
by the instructor. Record your information on a
In addition to researching the constellation assigned
to the group, research the purpose of star charts and
note any information you find personally
interesting. Record your information on a piece of
paper or word document.

5) The following day, the students should group up in the same groups they were assigned the previous
class. In this next part of the lesson, the students will create a PowerPoint presentation that displays the
Teacher Procedures Student Procedures
1 Instruct students to open Microsoft PowerPoint and create a 1) Open Microsoft PowerPoint
) presentation that includes: and construct a presentation that
- Each students constellation from day one of the lesson. includes:
- Research about the groups assigned constellation. - Each group members
- Research about star charts. constellation from day one of
the lesson.
-Research about your assigned
constellation.
- Research about star charts.
constellations they created on the first day and their research about the constellation they were assigned as
well as the information gathered about star charts.
 Closure: When the groups have completed their PowerPoint presentations they will present their findings to the
classroom. Projects should be submitted to a drop box or e-mailed to the instructor.

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:

Criteria 1 2 3 4

Created No constellation Only the constellation Constellation was created, Constellation created
Constellation was created for was created for this missing name OR skillfully, includes name
this project. project. Missing name description. and description of
of constellation constellation.
and description
OR
Constellation is poorly
Created.

PowerPoint No PowerPoint PowerPoint created, PowerPoint created, PowerPoint created,

created. but is missing 3 or but missing only one includes all elements asked
more elements asked element asked for in the for in criteria. Aesthetically
for in criteria. criteria, or poorly created. pleasing.
AND
Aesthetically project
is very poorly created.

Presentation No or little Vague or small amount ofThe presentation The presentation demonstrat
and group Participation Participation in demonstrates what the what the student learned
participation In presentation presentation and group. student learned from the completely.
and group. lesson accurately & fairly. Great participation and
Participation in presentationDemonstration of mastery.
and group displayed.

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.