Saint Francis University
Education Department
Standards-Aligned Unit Planning Process-Domain I
1. Unit Overview
1a. Brief description of the unit of study
1b. Grade level standard(s) to be addressed in
this unit of study
2. Learning Targets - Domain I/III
2a. Concepts and Competencies for all students
Exploring and Creating Our Own Solar System
Content Area: Science
Grade Level: 2nd Grade
With Science being on Tuesday and Thursday we will separate this lesson into an introduction day
and a practice day. Tuesday will be used to introduce a concept whether it is planets, moons,
constellations, etc. This could be anything from an informative video to guided notes. Then
Thursday there would be a small review about what was learned on Tuesday and then there would
be an activity that reinforced what the class had learned. This was creating their own individual
planets, partner constellations, moon rocks, etc.
1. S.K-2.D.3.1.1
Identify objects that can be observed in the day or night sky (i.e., the Moon, planets, the Sun
and other stars).
2. Standard - 3.3.2.B1
Observe and record • location of the Sun and the Moon in the sky over a day. • changes in
the appearance of the Moon over a month. Observe, describe, and predict seasonal patterns
of sunrise and sunset.
2a. Concepts and competencies for all students
- Illustrate and discuss how the suns position changes during the day
- Identify that the sun rotates over a 24 hour period
- Chart how the moon changes over the course of a month (e.g. new, waxing and waning
crescent, full)
- Illustrate their own constellations
- Use the information they have learned about the way planets look to create their own
 - Us the information that they learned about the different constellations to look through the
telescope and identity the right one

2b. Key vocabulary for all students 2b. Prioritized key vocabulary and ideas for all exceptional learners
Planet, Moon, Sun, Constellations, Rings, Orbit, Atmosphere
Phases

3. Instructional Process - Domain III

Universal Design for Learning Principles:

Multiple Means of Representation, Expression and Engagement
Differentiation
Instructional
Components Instructional Materials, Resources Barriers of Access
Assessment Accommodations
Practices and Tools and Modifications

Television (with VHS) - Hinting when an

Difficult Movie to answer was about to
Informal Conversation Our Solar System
Introduction Informal Questioning Follow come on the movie
Informative Video Movie
Vocabulary Worksheet Answers Note Taking - Pausing and having a
Note Taking Note Taking Worksheet conversation about
New Vocabulary
the tougher topics

Styrofoam Balls
Old CDs
Hot Glue
Observation
Note Taking Paint - Groups are made by
Modeling Paper Towel Rolls Projects have difficult teacher to have high
Informal Questioning
Hands On Activities Aluminum Foil steps level and low level
New Concepts Guided Notes Rubber Bands student in each
Completion
Whole Group Instruction Tooth Picks Materials can break - Packets are made
Small Group Instruction Large Black Sheets of with guided note
Different Projects that
Paper Difficulty of content taking in mind
Show Comprehension
Planet Packet
Moon Packet
 - There is a picture of
Solar System Cut Outs Difficulty of content
Think-Pair-Share the solar system
Solar System Quiz Observation
Feedback displayed on the
Construction Paper Some of the planet cut
Closure Discussion board
Glue outs look the same
Summary/Reflection - Quiz is taken then
Scissors
gone over as a
Remembering Content
class

4. Individualized Student Planning

Student or groups will be identified Standards-Aligned IEP Goals Student-Specific IEP Goals Individualized Student Supports
here. If you do not have IEP Aligned to prioritized learning
students then you may leave this targets
section blank. 504 students may
also be included here. *GIEP
students would be included in this
section.

A
Unit Summary

Overview:

This unit was created to teach the students about the solar system. The main points were planets, the moon, and constellations. The way the unit was set
up was there was a day in which each topic was introduced and the students got an idea of each one. Then the next day of instruction had the student
use the information that they learned in an activity that was hands on and fun. The students loved the way the unit plan worked out. The day of
instruction was both informative and interactive. They seemed to learn a lot from those days, I could see a lot of knowledge being used in the activities
that followed.

Summary of Lesson Critiques:

All in all I would say that the lessons ran smoothly. I would not change much about the way it worked. The only thing that I would have to take into
consideration would be if there was a school cancellation. I got very fortunate because every Tuesday I would introduce a topic and then Thursday
would be the activity. This meant that there was not much time in between so most of the students kept the information in their mind. I would have to
think of something different if there was more time in between, especially a weekend. Other than that, I would make a few critiques with preparation.
Things could have went a lot smoother if all of the tools were accessible at the right time.

Student Outcomes:

I was very proud of my class during this unit. The students did tremendous when it came to the guided notes and other note taking activities on the
introduction day. Then on the activity days my students should the intelligence they needed to during the lesson. At the end of the unit I gave a unit test
and most of the students did very well on it. Of course there were students who missed a few questions, some of them were absent on days of
instruction, but with that being said there is always room for improvement.