Lesson Plan Guide

Teacher Candidate: T. Wadley Date: 04/21/2018

Grade and Topic: 6th grade Science Length of Lesson: 45 – 60 minutes
Mentor Teacher: Cornelius School: U of Memphis

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

 The cosmos is vast and explored well enough to know its basic structure and operational principles.

LESSON OBJECTIVE:
● SWBAT identify and explain the similarities and differences between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse
by creating a graphic organizer for both solar and lunar eclipse with 80% accuracy.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
 SPI 0607.6.7 Explain the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
● ISTE 3. Research and Information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use
information. b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a
variety of sources.

MATERIALS:
● Print resources including the textbook and dictionary
● Computer
● Kispiration or Inspirations software
● Microsoft Word
● Pencil and paper
● Internet Access to
● NASA SpacePlace
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/solar-cycles/en/
● Exploratorium
https://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/astronomy-space
● Free pictures/clipart
http://all-free-download.com/free-photos/

● Students will use the listed websites as resources for their research about solar and lunar eclipse.
Kisdpiration/Inspiration will be used to create a graphic organizer with information and images relating
to both types of eclipses. Students will submit their completed work to a Dropbox folder as well as
submit a printed copy. Sample is at the end of this document.

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:

● What are the characteristics of a solar eclipse? What are the characteristics of a lunar eclipse?
● This lesson continues with the study of the positions of the earth and sun.
● Subsequent lessons will create two graphic organizers with at least 5 facts about solar eclipses and 5
facts about lunar eclipses.
● 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:
You are wanting to attend a NASA science camp this summer. One of the requirements is to submit proof of your
knowledge of earth and space science. Since you were able to witness a partial solar eclipse this school year, you
have chosen to research and explain in detail your knowledge of solar eclipses and lunar eclipses. What are some
aspects about a solar and lunar eclipses that may be relevant to prove your knowledge? The Umbra? The
Penumbra? Difference between partial and total eclipse? How often do they occur?

Procedures:

ACTIVITY 1
Prior to the computer
1. The teacher will divide the class into teams of 3 students.
2. Students will use the printed resources (textbooks, dictionaries, library books, etc.) to obtain
information and research their topic and fill out their worksheet (provided below).
At the computer
1. The teacher will have the above sites bookmarked on the computers.
2. Each student will research the bookmarked websites to complete their assigned worksheet and gather
information for graphic organizer.
After the computer
1. Student teams will meet together at a table.
2. The team will review and discuss their answers to their worksheet

ACTIVITY 2
Prior to the computer
1. Teacher will distribute an example of a graphic organizer and review the parts that should be
included.
2. Students will sketch out how they will create their organizer using the information they gathered in the
Activity 1.
At the computer
1 Teacher will have Kidspiration/Inspiration opened on each team’s computer.
2 Teams will create their graphic organizer using Kidspiration/Inspiration and include the required
information from the Moon Phases worksheet. The graphic organizer should include the following
technical requirements in addition to the solar and lunar eclipse information:
Title, a concept shape that identifies each type of eclipse, appropriately used color, either Times
New Roman or Arial font, in easy to read contrasting color, no grammatical errors
3 Students will print a copy of their graphic organizer and submit one to class dropbox.

After the computer

1. The teacher will supply a ½ size poster board and markers for each team.
2. Each team will mount their graphic organizer on the poster board and label with a title and each team
members’ names. The team members will prepare their presentation of the information to the class.
*Each team member must participate in the presentation.
3. Each team will present their information to the class.
4. Team will also submit their Moon Phases worksheet to teacher.

● Closure: After the presentations, each student will write a short paragraph (3 – 5 sentences) about
the similarities and differences they discovered in their research about solar and lunar eclipses.

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:
Students will submit and present their Graphic organizers as well as write a reflective paragraph on the
similarities and differences between solar and lunar eclipse by providing their rationale. They will also submit
their completed Moon Phases worksheet.

Each team member will receive the same score for the graphic organizer using the following rubric.
Students will receive individual scores for the assessment of their participation in the presentations and
of their reflective paragraph.

Criteria Level 3 Level 2 Level 1

Graphic Organizer - At least 2 correct At least 2 correct At least 2 correct
Information provided examples for first examples for 3 of examples for 1-2 of
about topic 4 listed topics; the first 4 listed first 4 listed topics,
One interesting topics., One Interesting fact may
fact is listed interesting fact is or may not be listed.
listed.
Graphic Organizer - Graphic organizer Graphic organizer is Graphic organizer is
Organization is well well constructed and not well organized
constructed and easy to understand and is difficult to
easy to but may have understand.
understand with missing some Connecting lines may
appropriate connecting lines, etc. or may not be
connecting lines. present.
Graphic Organizer - Organizer has a Organizer lacks 1 of Organizer lacks 2 or
Appearance title, identifying the following: at more of the
concept shape, least one graphic per following: at least
required font, at topic, a title, one graphic per topic,
least one graphic required font, a title, required font,
for each topic, colorful, identifying colorful, identifying
and is colorful concept shape concept shape
Participation Student Student Student lacked
(Presentation) demonstrated demonstrated knowledge solar and
knowledge of knowledge but did lunar eclipses.
solar and lunar not speak clearly
eclipse. and distinctly.
Similarities and
differences.
Reflection paragraph Reflection Reflection presented Reflection did not
presented facts facts that supported present facts that
that supported the the similarities and supported the
similarities and differences between similarities and
differences solar and lunar differences between
between solar and eclipses. More than solar and lunar
lunar eclipses. 2 grammar and eclipses. May or may
Used correct punctuation errors. not have used correct
grammar and grammar and
punctuation (less punctuation.
than 2 errors)
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.

STUDENT SAMPLE
 Moon Phases Worksheet (Handout that supports Lesson Plan)
Team members (in alphabetical order)
1. 2. 3.

1. During a full moon, why is one side of the Moon dark?

a. The dark side of the Moon is shaded from the direct light of Earth.
b. The dark side of the Moon is shaded from the direct light of the Sun.
c. The light side of the Moon is releasing less energy than the dark side.
d. The light side of the Moon is releasing more energy than the dark side.

2. What causes the phases of the Moon?

a. The relative positions of the Moon, Earth, and the Sun
b. The tilted orbit of the Moon
c. The Moon’s period of revolution just equals its period of rotation
d. Sunlight reflecting off Earth’s surface

3. Which phase comes after a 1st quarter moon?

a. New moon c. Waning gibbous
b. Full moon d. Waxing gibbous

4. Which phase comes after a waxing gibbous?

a. New moon c. Waning gibbous
b. Full moon d. Waxing gibbous

Use the diagram and word bank below to answer questions 5 – 7.

Word Bank
a. waxing crescent
b. new moon
c. third quarter
d. full moon

5. Based on the diagram above, what

moon
phase is represented in number 5?
6. Based on the diagram above, what
moon phase is represented in number
6?
7. Based on the diagram above, what
moon phase is represented in number 7?
 8. Which is true in relation to the diagram?
a. D: A full moon occurs when all of the Moon’s surface
reflects light to Earth.
b. G: The first quarter moon occurs about a week after
the new moon.
c. F: The waxing crescent can be seen about 24 hours
after the new moon.
d. A: The new moon cannot be seen, since it’s dark side
faces Earth.

SPI 0607.6.5 Predict the types of tides that occur when the earth
and moon occupy various positions.

9. The chart shows the high and low tides of Seaside, California, on Saturday, March 15, 2011. Assuming
today is March 3, 2011, how can scientists provide such charts well in advance for the dates and times
of the tides?
Tide Time Height (in meters)
Low 12:24 AM EST 0.018
High 7:02 AM EST 0.560
Low 1:02 PM EST 0.128
High 6:56 PM EST 0.512

a. Since they calculate average rainfall in a particular region, they know when the tides will be
high or low.
b. Evaporation causes the tide to decrease during the day and condensation causes the tide to
increase at night.
c. Since the Moon’s orbit is predictable, they can predict the tide changes.
d. They provide their best guess for the tide changes due to seasonal variation in weather
patterns.

10. What type of tide occurs at a lunar and solar eclipse?

a. Neap tides c. Full tides
b. Spring tides d. Waxing Tides

11. What occurs when the Moon is at positions B & D?

a. Lunar eclipse c. Spring tide
b. Neap tide d. Solar eclipse

12. What occurs when the Moon is at positions A & C?

a. Lunar eclipse c. Spring tide
b. Neap tide d. Solar eclipse

13. What type of tide occurs when the moon is at a first quarter or third quarter moon?
a. Neap tides c. Full tides
b. Spring tides d. Waxing Tides

14. We have the highest high tides during ____________ and the lowest low tides during _________.
 a. Spring tide, Neap Tide c. Neap Tide, Neap Tide
b. Spring Tide, Spring Tide d. Neap Tide, Spring Tide

15. The _________ is the difference between the high tide and the low tide.
a. Tide c. High tide
b. Low tide d. Tidal range

16. Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted
by the ___________, ___________, and rotation of ___________.
a. Sun, moon, earth c. Oceans, moon, earth
b. Sun, oceans, earth d. Sun, moon, oceans

SPI 0607.6.7 Explain the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.

17. A __________ occurs when the Moon moves directly between the Sun and Earth and throws a shadow
on Earth.
a. Solar eclipse c. Waning gibbous
b. Lunar eclipse d. Waxing gibbous

18. Which of the following must take place for a solar eclipse to occur?
a. The Sun lowers its energy output, so it appears dim.
b. The Moon comes so close to the Earth that it blocks out all the light.
c. The Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun so its shadow hits the Earth.
d. The Earth passes directly between the Moon and the Sun so it blocks the light from hitting the
Moon.

19. Which phase is the Moon in and what type of eclipse would occur
when the Earth, Sun, and Moon are in the positions shown in the
diagram?
a. new moon, lunar eclipse
b. new moon, solar eclipse
c. full moon, lunar eclipse
d. full moon, solar eclipse

20. Which phase is the Moon in and what type of eclipse would
occur when the Earth, Sun, and Moon are in the positions
shown in the diagram?
a. new moon, lunar eclipse
b. new moon, solar eclipse
c. full moon, lunar eclipse
d. full moon, solar eclipse

21. Which of the following must take place for a lunar eclipse to occur?
a. The Sun lowers its energy output, so it appears dim.
b. The Moon comes so close to the Earth that it blocks out all the light.
c. The Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun so its shadow hits the Earth.
 d. The Earth passes directly between the Moon and the Sun so it blocks the light from hitting the
Moon.

22. Which type of eclipse occurs when the Moon is in the umbra and the penumbra of the Earth?
a. Total eclipse c. Hybrid eclipse
b. Partial eclipse d. Complete eclipse

23. If you were outside during a total solar eclipse, what would you experience?
a. The sun setting in the west c. The entire sky turns red
b. The day suddenly becomes night d. The moon disappears totally

24. What color can the moon often turn in a total lunar eclipse?
a. Blue c. White
b. Reddish brown d. Yellow