Name Amanda Padilla

Class ELED 3221-001

Date 03/07/2016
edTPA Indirect Instruction Lesson Plan Template
The Solar System: Learning About Planets
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Central Focus/Big Idea: Earth and the Solar System. Focusing on the planets- the order of the
planets in relation to the sun, facts about the planets.
Subject of this lesson: Planets in our Solar System
Grade Level: 3rd grade
NC Essential Standard(s): 3.E.1.1 Recognize that the earth is part of a system called the solar
system that includes the sun (a star), planets, and many moons and the earth is the third planet
from the sun in our solar system.
Next Generation Science Standard(s): I could not find one that matched what I taught. Most
were more about seasons, moon phases, and other things dealing with orbits and rotations as
opposed to the location of the planets in the solar system and facts about those planets.
21st Century Skills: Collaboration will be addressed in my lesson because the students will be
given the opportunity to work together to name the planets based on physical features as well as
to discuss what they already know and what they have learned about the planets. Initiative and
self-direction will also be addressed in this lesson because students will come up with questions
that they want answers to about the planets and then they will discover those things throughout
the lesson.
Academic Language Demand
Language Function: I chose compare/contrast because the students will be looking at
differences and similarities between the planets. I chose describe because by the end of
the lesson students should be able to describe key facts about the planets.
Analyze
Interpret

Argue
Predict

Categorize
Question

Compare/contrast
Retell

Describe
Summarize

Explain

Scientific Vocabulary: solar system, planet, sun, asteroid belt, mercury, venus, earth,
mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, orbit, rotate,

Instructional Objective: 3.E.1.1 Recognize that the earth is part of a system called the solar
system that includes the sun (a star), planets, and many moons and the earth is the third planet
from the sun in our solar system. The students are expected to learn the order of the planets.
Students should also be aware of at least three key facts about each planet. Students will be
checked for completeness on the crossword puzzle.

Prior Knowledge (student): Students should be aware of what a planet is. Students should know
which planets we live on.
Content Knowledge (teacher): The teacher needs to be aware of how many planets are in the
solar system (8) and the order that they are in in relation to the sun (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mar,
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune). The teacher should be aware that the sun is a star, not a planet.
The teacher should know that Mercury is the closest to the sun, Venus is second closest to the
sun, Earth is the only planet with life, Mars is the the red planet, Jupiter is the largest planet,
Saturn is the second largest planet and has the brightest rings, Uranus rotates on its side, and
Neptune is the farthest from the sun.
Accommodations for special needs (individual and/or small group): I will start with my special
needs students to give clear directions on how to solve the crossword puzzle. I will check in with
them frequently to make sure they are doing okay and to give assistance. Special needs students
may partner with a high flyer student to have student read to them.
Materials and Technology requirements: We will need a computer, internet access, youtube,
projector, 30 copies of crossword puzzle,
Total Estimated Time: one hour
Source of lesson: Ideas from Teachers Pay Teachers, Education.com, Pinterest, Youtube.
Safety considerations: Ensure that students stay in their spot on the carpet during video and
pick a spot to work in for the worksheet and be aware of their surroundings if they do have to get
up and move.

Content and Strategies (Procedure)

Engage: Have a picture of the sun and all 8 planets displayed on the projector.
Today we will be learning about the planets in our solar system.
In our theme center daybooks, lets make a KWL chart. Take a few minutes to jot down what you
already know about the planets in the solar system and what you want to learn about the planets
in our solar system. Come back together and ask a few students to share what they know and a
few share what they want to learn.
Can you name the planets? Write the names of the planets on the board as students name them.
Does anyone want to try to name the planets in order? Draw a sun on the board and put lines
on the board numbered 1-8 and place the planets in their space as students order them correctly.
Ask students to share what they might already know about any of the planets.
Explore: Show students video that teaches the order of the planets and a few important facts
about each planet. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzbCEF37MfU) Students will
take notes in their theme center day books. Stop repeatedly to ask questions about the vocabulary
terms and to give students time to write it. Ask students what they learned about each planet
during and ask students if they think its important and if they should write it down.
Explanation: Explain to students that they can easily remember the planets relation to the sun if
they memorize My Very Evil Mother Just Swatted Uncles Nose. Play video
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b2twHNy9L8). Explain to students that the first letter of
each word in that acronym represents the name of a planet in relation to the sun. Give the
students time to write it down and write the planets that go with the acronym.
Elaborate: Students will do crossword puzzle activity based on planet facts. Check for
completeness. Students will then go back and fill out what they have learned section of KWL
chart in daybook.
Evaluate: Formative assessment: Check students KWL charts. Make sure that they have learned
at least three things
Summative assessment: Check crossword puzzle activity for completeness.
To be completed after the lesson is taught as appropriateAssessment Results of all objectives/skills: All students were able to complete activities with
100% accuracy.
Reflection on lesson:
CT signature/confirmation: _________________________________ Date: ________________