LEARNING-FOCUSED Lesson Plan
Plan for the concept, topic, or skill – Not for the class period
Unit: Earth in Space- Dates:
Learning Goals for this Lesson
Students will know:
The properties of the sun
The properties of the solar system
Subject Area:
Name:
Topic:
Standards:
SC.8.E.5.4, SC.8.E.5.5, SC.8.E.5.6,
SC.8.E.5.7,
Students will do:
Classify the properties of stars
Classify the properties of objects in the solar system
Compare the properties of the Sun and other stars
Lesson Essential Question: What are the properties of solar bodies and stars?
Activating Strategy: How the Universe Works: Extreme Stars (41min) Discuss
the extreme stars and features mentioned during video. Optional Extension:
How the Universe Works fill in the blank notes.
Key vocabulary to preview and vocabulary strategy:
sun, planet, gravity, apparent magnitude, luminosity, absolute magnitude, sunspots, solar flare,
prominences
Lesson Instruction (Activities completed as Centers)
Learning Activity 1:
Students will visit thinkcentral.com and complete the digital lessons.
Students will create Star foldable. Read pgs. 66-71 Cornell Notes.
Assessment Prompt for LA 1: What are terms used to describe the
properties of stars?
Differentiation: Leveled Groups, Guided through independent
activities
Learning Activity 2:
Read pgs. 112-119 in Cornell notes, students will define solar flare,
sunspot, nuclear fusion, and prominence. Students will the then use
the text to find the temperatures from the Sun’s layers and color code
the different layers based on pg. 113.
Assessment Prompt for LA 2: What are some properties of our Sun?
Differentiation: Leveled Groups, Guided completion of Sun Layers
Graphic Organizer:
 Cornell Notes
 Star Foldable <four
door/barn door>
Apparent
Absolute
Magnitude Magnitude
Luminosity Color/
Temp
Chart
Assignment:
Students will compare and
contrast the sun vs. other
stars in a Venn diagram using
the Cornell notes. Discuss
with their partner, and
compare with group
members.
Summarizing Strategy: Ticket Out the Door- Students will compare the
characteristics of planets to solar bodies. How are planets and stars different?
Provide examples to support.
© LEARNING-FOCUSED. All Rights Reserved.
Student
Modification/Accommodations
1. Seat student near teacher.
2. Stand near student when giving
directions/presenting.
3. Provide visual aids/graphic organizers.
4. Ensure oral directions are understood.
5. Allow extra time to complete tasks.
6. Simplify complex written directions.
7. Give test items orally.
8. Provide peer assistance/study groups.
© LEARNING-FOCUSED. All Rights Reserved.