SIMPSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
All lesson plans are due electronically to grade level admin by 4:00 Thursdays for
the upcoming week.
Unit Title: Astronomy
Grade: 6th
Week of: March 21st25th
Content: Exploration of Space
Teacher: Whiting, Donn, Brown, Rose
DETERMINE THE GOALS AND OUTCOMES
(desired results/assessment evident)
UNIT CONTENT STANDARDS
S6E1. Students will explore current scientific views of the universe and how those views evolved.
a. Relate the Nature of Science to the progression of basic historical scientific models (geocentric,
heliocentric) as they describe our solar system, and the Big Bang as it describes the formation of the
universe.
b. Describe the position of the solar system in the Milky Way galaxy and the universe.
c. Compare and contrast the planets in terms of size relative to Earth, surface and atmospheric features,
relative distance from the Sun, and ability to support life.
d. Explain the motion of objects in the day/night sky in terms of relative position.
e. Explain that gravity is the force that governs the motion of the solar system.
f. Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
S6E2. Students will understand the effects of the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
a. Demonstrate the phases of the moon by showing alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun.
b. Explain the alignment of the Earth, moon and sun during lunar eclipses.
c. Relate the tilt of the Earth to the distribution of sunlight throughout the year and its effect on climate.
Enduring Understandings:
Students will utilize the discoveries of historical astronomers to develop their own beliefs
regarding the formation of our universe.
Students will explore the roll that gravity plays in heavenly body systems.
.
Unit Essential Question(s):
Why have scientific theories about the universe and views on the formation of the solar
system changed over time?
Propose how the universe formed?
What is the position of the solar system in the Milky Way Galaxy and the universe, and
where are we going?
Compare and contrast comets, asteroids, and meteors.
How are planets in our solar system similar and different?
Content (Unpack Nouns from
Skills (Unpack Verbs from Standards):
Standards): Students will know…
Students will be able to…
Solar system, Big Bang, universe, Milky Relate, describe, compare and contrast,
Way galaxy, Planets, gravity, comets,
explain, and demonstrate
meteors, and asteroids
KEY VOCABULARY
(What critical vocabulary must be learned in order to master the content?)
Geocentric, Heliocentric, Big Bang Theory, solar system, universe, retrograde
motion, Milky Way, galaxy, Hubble telescope, star, inertia, gravity, elliptical, spiral,
revolution, terrestrial, gas giant, planet, satellite, dwarf planet, asteroid, comets,
meteors, meteoroid, meteorite, rotation, waning, waxing, lunar eclipse, solar
eclipse, neap tide, spring tide, and gravitational pull.
ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE
Pre-assessments
benchmark test
informal
Formative:
Adjusted questioning
(orally or written)
Anticipation guide
Checklist
Cloze
Conferences
Exit ticket
Graphic organizer
observation
pre-test
Observation
Thumbs up/down
Quiz
Writing (i.e. journaling,
prewriting, drafting, editing,
proofreading)
Other-
Body Biography
Carousel Brainstorming
Choice Board
Concept Attainment
Contracts
Creative Problem Solving
CRISS
Cooperative Learning
Cubing
Debate
Deductive Learning
Fact Finding by Fraternizing
Flexible Grouping
Graphic Organizers
Hot Seat
test data
writing prompt
Summative:
Benchmark
Project
Test
Writing
Performance Task
Other-lab
STRATEGIES/BEST PRACTICES
Independent Learning
Process Writing
Inductive Learning
QAR (Right There, Think and Search,
Author and You, On My Own)
Jigsaw
Quote- 5 Star
Learning Logs
Reader’s Theater
Learning Styles
Reciprocal Learning
Literature Circles
Role Play / Simulations
McRel (Rdg/Wtg in content)
Shared Inquiry/Socratic
Metaphorical Expression
Seminar
Mini Lesson
Stations
Modeling
Six Thinking Hats
Multiple Intelligences
Task Rotation
Museum
Tiering
Mystery Box
Think Aloud
New American Lecture
Think-Pair-Share
Notetaking
Other-inquiry lab
Problem-Based Learning
Learning Plan for ___ Monday, March 21st
Essential Question: How
are the planets spaced?
Standard/Element(s):
S6e1.c
Materials: 50 meter measuring tape, scale sun and
Jupiter
Launcher/Activator:
Instructional Method/Lesson: Relative distance of the planets/planet walk. (AC)
calculate scale before walk.
Differentiated/Specialized instruction: SPED teacher will differentiate all tests, quizzes and
worksheets for students
This lesson was differentiated / modified by meeting students’
Readiness
Interest
Learning Profile
Evidence: (AC) students will Evidence:
Evidence:
scale out distance.
Performance Task:
Summarizer / Lesson Closure:
Learning Plan for ___ Tuesday, March 22nd
Essential Question: How are
the planets similar and
different?
Standard/Element(s):
S6e1.c
Materials: (CL) Venn diagrams, compare/contrast
sheets.
Launcher/Activator: (SOS) Inner and outer planet Venn diagram. (AC-Mystery activity)
Instructional Method/Lesson: Inner planet compare/contrast. Outer planet
compare/contrast.
Differentiated/Specialized instruction: SPED teacher will differentiate all tests, quizzes and
worksheets for students
This lesson was differentiated / modified by meeting students’
Readiness
Interest
Learning Profile
Evidence:
Evidence:
Evidence: Pre-made
diagrams for CL students.
Performance Task:
Summarizer / Lesson Closure:
Learning Plan for ___Wednesday, March 23rd
Essential Question:
Compare and contrast comets,
meteors, and asteroids.
Standard/Element(s):
S6e1.f
Materials: Comets, meteors, and asteroids review sheet.
Launcher/Activator: (AC-Problem solving activity)
Instructional Method/Lesson: Comets, meteors, and asteroids.
Differentiated/Specialized instruction: SPED teacher will differentiate all tests, quizzes and
worksheets for students
This lesson was differentiated / modified by meeting students’
Readiness
Interest
Learning Profile
Evidence:
Evidence:
Evidence:
Performance Task:
Summarizer / Lesson Closure: comets, meteors, and asteroids review sheet.
Learning Plan for ___ Thursday, March 24th
Essential Question: How are
the Earth, Moon, and Sun
positioned to cause the phases
of the Moon?
Standard/Element(s):
S6e2.a
Materials: Variable levels of lab sheets. 5 lights,
Styrofoam balls.
Launcher/Activator: Moon phases picture/video
Instructional Method/Lesson: Phases of the moon inquiry investigation.
Differentiated/Specialized instruction: SPED teacher will differentiate all tests, quizzes and
worksheets for students
This lesson was differentiated / modified by meeting students’
Readiness
Interest
Learning Profile
Evidence: Variable levels of
Evidence:
Evidence:
inquiry and independence.
Performance Task:
Summarizer / Lesson Closure:
Learning Plan for ___Friday, March 25th
Essential Question: How are
the Earth, Moon, and Sun
aligned during an eclipse?
Standard/Element(s):
S6e2.b
Materials: variable levels of demonstration sheet.
Launcher/Activator: review phases of the moon.
Instructional Method/Lesson: Eclipses and tides
Differentiated/Specialized instruction: SPED teacher will differentiate all tests, quizzes and
worksheets for students
This lesson was differentiated / modified by meeting students’
Readiness
Interest
Learning Profile
Evidence: Variable levels of
Evidence:
Evidence:
demonstration sheets.
Performance Task: Eclipses and tides demonstration sheet.
Summarizer / Lesson Closure:
3 days of emergency lessons and activities for this unit:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Reciprocal Teaching for p. 564-570. Questions p. 571 (1-11)
Reciprocal Teaching for p. 582-588. Questions p. 589 (1-10)
Reciprocal Teaching for p. 590-594. Questions p. 595 (1-12)