Lesson Plan Guide

Teacher Candidate:

Kristen Carter

Date: 1116/2016

Grade and Topic:

4th Grade Science

Length of Lesson:

Mentor Teacher:

Dr. Cornelius

School:

45 Minutes

University of Memphis

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

What big ideas guide human understanding about the origin and structure of the universe, Earths place
in the cosmos, and observable motions and patterns in the sky
LESSON OBJECTIVE:
After researching selected websites, the student will create a ToonDoo comic that accurately describes
the phases of the moon. The student must score at least at 18/20 on the rubric.
STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
GLE 0407.6.1 Analyze patterns, relative movements, and relationships among the sun, moon, and earth.
SPI 0407.6.1 Organize the phases of the moon in the correct sequence
ISTE STANDARD
ISTE Standard 3. Research and information fluency. Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and
use information.
MATERIALS:
Paper and pencil
Moon worksheet
Computer

Internet Access to:

www.toondoo.com

https://quizlet.com/9576884/phases-of-the-moon-4th-grade-science-flash-cards/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/moon/Phases.shtml
http://earthsky.org/moon-phases/understandingmoonphases

http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/moon_phases.php

Students will use the listed websites as resources to complete their Moon worksheet. The ToonDoo website will
be used to create a comic that labels each phase of the moon. The students will print off their comic for grading.
A sample of the comic is at the end of this document.

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:

What are the different phases of the moon and what causes their shapes?
Academic language is not discussed in IDT 3600.
This lesson continues with the study of Earth and Space Science.
Subsequent lessons will include projects that incorporate the phases of the moon.

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: When you look up at night what do you see? Does the shape of any of these things change? What
do you think causes the moons shape to change? Have you ever noticed a pattern in the shapes? Wouldnt
knowing why the moon changes shapes be interesting? Today we will learn about the moons different shapes
called phases. You will use the computer to research the moons phases and complete a moon worksheet. You
will then create your own cartoon about the phases!
Procedures:

Before the computer (ten minutes):

The worksheets will be passed out according to the classroom procedures.

I will explain to the class what to write on the sheet (name of the phase
and description of the phase)

I will give the students a brief tutorial on ToonDoo and provide an

example of a comic.

The students will be reminded of computer rules.

At the computer (30 minutes)

The teacher will have the above sites bookmarked on the computers.

The students will begin researching the different phases of the moon. They will
use their pencils to complete the worksheet as they research.

Once their research is complete, the students will open ToonDoo and begin
creating their comic.

When students are finished creating their comic, they will print.

After the computer (five minutes)

The students will return to their desks and write their name on the back of their
comic.

The Moon worksheets and the comics will be collected.

Closure: We will have an open discussion about the phases of the moon. I will ask the students questions about
the phases of the moon. For example, Could you explain to me what the waxing crescent looks like? and
What is the fourth phase of the moon called?

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:
The students will be assessed on their ToonDoo comic using the following rubric.
Criteria
Organization
Appearance

Labeled Correctly

10 points
All 8 phases are in the
correct sequence.
The pictures do not overlap,
phases are clearly labeled,
and it is easy to distinguish
which labels correspond
with each picture.
All 8 phases are correctly
labeled.

8 points
All but two phases are in
the correct sequence.
Some pictures overlap, 1-2
labels are not clear, and it is
difficult to determine which
pictures are labeled.

6 points
More than two phases are
out of sequence.
The pictures all overlap,
more than 2 labels can be
confused for a different
picture.

All but two phases are in

the correctly labeled.

More than two phases are

incorrectly labeled.

MODIFICATIONS:
I am aware modifications will be e 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.
Example of ToonDoo Comic: