LESSON PLAN
Name: Erin Mueller-Hagreen
Content Area(s): ELA and Science
Today’s Lesson: 4-Square Vocabulary
Date: April 11, 2002
Unit Topic: The Moon
Grade Level: Four
Duration: 40 minutes
LESSON RATIONALE
New York State Learning Standards and Key Ideas:
 ELA Standard 1.1 and 1.2
Instructional Objectives:
1. Students will complete a vocabulary chart for one of the moon unit vocabulary terms with 80%
accuracy in all four squares [Bloom Level 5].
2. Students will then use their dictionaries to look up and record the definition of their term with
100% accuracy in spelling and content [Bloom Level 2].
Adaptations:
 Students with difficulty writing may use AphaSmart to type the information before gluing it into
the four square chart.
 Students that have difficulty with vocabulary will be assigned a word by the teacher and will be
assisted throughout the exercise.
 Teacher will monitor the room to provide support and assistence.
 Teacher modeled example will remain on the class easel to be used as an example for students
to follow.
Materials: Moon vocabulary list, Four square vocabulary chart (see example attached), pencil,
crayons or colored pencils, class easel
LESSON OPENING
I am going to pass around a moon vocabulary list (see attached) and I would like everyone to
choose a word that they would like to work with for today’s activity. I prefer that you challenge
yourself by picking a word that you have not mastered yet. We are going to do an activity called 4Square vocabulary in order to define our vocabulary terms in different ways. First we will do a four
square chart for “crater” and record it on the class easel. Then everyone will do their own and will
present their terms to the class.
LESSON BODY
Activities:
1. Every student will be given two copies of the 4-Square vocabulary chart. The first one will be
completed as a class using the word “crater,” and the second will be filled out individually with
a word of choice.
2. The teacher draws a large box on the easel with four squares and writes the word “crater” in the
first square (modeling). The students are then told to do the same on one of their charts.
3. The teacher will then ask for volunteers to use the word “crater” in a sentence. These sentences
will be recorded in the second square on the easel and the students can choose one to record on
their chart (guided practice).
4. The teacher will then explain that a non-example is a sentence that uses the word incorrectly or
that states the opposite of the word (For example, “This building is not a school” or “We are in a
church right now”).
5. Students will then be asked to volunteer non-examples, which will be recorded in square three.
(For example, “A crater is a mountain on the moon”). Again the students may choose any nonexample to record on their chart.
6. For square four, the teacher will ask students if they can define the term “crater” in their own
words (checking for understanding) and will record these definitions on the easel (students will
record on in their chart).
7. When all four squares are filled in, the class will be asked to take out their dictionaries and look
up the word, remaining quiet until everyone has found it. (If necessary, teacher will review
dictionary skills).
8. Someone will be asked to read the definition out-loud and everyone will record it under his or
her squares, in the designated space.
9. Next, the class will be asked to draw a picture of a crater at the bottom of the page or o9n the
back. They can use crayons or colored pencils to color it in.
10. Now that the students have broadened their understanding of the term “crater,” they can
complete a four square vocabulary chart of their own (independent practice).
11. The teacher must OK the terms used in order to ensure that not every student uses the same
vocabulary word. (Of course some students will work on the same word, as we do not have 20
terms to work with).
12. Teacher will circulate the room, providing support and assistance as students complete their
charts (Checking for understanding).
13. Students who finish early may complete another 4-Square vocabulary for a different word or do
a reflection in their moon journal.
Closure:
This is a fun new way to work on our vocabulary terms. How did everyone feel about it? (Allow
time for student feedback). Would you like to use this again in the future when we are working on
vocabulary terms? It took us a while this time because we were learning how to do the chart, but in
the future I can pass out the charts and you can fill them right in. Using the 4-Square vocabulary
method helps us to understand our vocabulary words, rather than just memorizing their definitions.
LESSON FOLLOW-UP
When everyone has finished completing their charts, the students will be asked to share their work
with the class. This will allow them to practice their verbal-communication skills, while
demonstrating their knowledge of the vocabulary term. In addition, it will give the class a chance to
familiarize themselves with the terms selected by other students.
LESSON RESOURCES
Bourgeois, P. (1995). The moon. Toronto: Kids Can Press Ltd.
Gibbons, G. (1997). The moon book. New York: Holiday House.
Stephens, E., & Brown, J. (2000). A handbook of content literacy strategies: 75 practical reading
and writing ideas. Massachusetts: Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc.
4-Square Vocabulary
Write vocabulary word:
Use it in a sentence:
Crater
Craters can be seen on the moon.
A crater is a pit or dent in the moon.
Meteorites crashing into the moon cause
craters.
Write a non-example:
Define it in your own words:
Craters cannot be seen from the earth.
A crater is a whole in the moon that was
caused by some kind of explosion or
meteorite that hit the moon.
Craters are mountains on the moon.
The man in the moon made craters.
Dictionary definition: A pit or whole in the ground created by an explosion of
the impact of a meteorite.
Now draw a picture of a crater on the moon
Moon Vocabulary Terms
1. Astronaut
2. Astronomer
3. Atmosphere
7. Lunar eclipse
8. Meteorite
9. Orbit
4. Crater
5. Gravity
6. Lunar
10. Rocket
11. Sattelite
12. Scientist
13. Solar eclipse
14. Space craft
15. Universe
16. Waning
17. Waxing