Name: Crayton Peterson

Lesson Title:

Galactic Treasure Hunt

Grade Level:

6th

Subject:

Science

GPSs:

Description of Learning Goals, Standards, Objectives, and Assessments

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 the
alignment of the earth, moon, and sun.
b. Explain the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun during
solar and lunar eclipses.
c. Relate the tilt of the earth to the distribution of sunlight
throughout the year and its effect on climate.
Critical Component For the formative assessment, when
presenting, the students should:
a. Gives oral presentations or dramatic interpretations for
various purposes.
b. Shows appropriate changes in delivery (e.g. visuals,
vocabulary, pace).

National Technology
Standards:

3. Research and information fluency

b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize,
and ethically use information from a variety of
sources and media

Cultural Context and

Learner Characteristics:

The students in my class are of varying ability levels. There

are a few with learning disabilities such as attention deficit
and hyper activity as well as dyslexia. This is an urbanlight school in the metro-Atlanta area (not located
downtown) with 50% African American, 25% Hispanic, 20%
Caucasian, and 5% Asian. There ages are 12-13 with 52%
female and 48% male. Many of the students speak a
2ndlanguage and are 1st generation American citizens.

Diversity:

Learning Styles:

Background Knowledge:

As 6th grade students, many are dependent learners that

require scaffolding and structure until they are comfortable
with the assignments. They tend towards auditory and
kinesthetic learning and communication styles.
At this point in the curriculum, the students have learned to
write the basic 5-paragraph theme paper. They are familiar
with the parts of a story (Exposition, Rising Action, Climax,
Falling Action and Resolution). They have all been exposed to
fairytales; however, these will differ based on their cultural
background.

Long-Term Learning Goal or

Outcome:

By the end of the unit, the learner will be able to identify the
specific phase in which the moon is currently.
They will be able to use appropriate technology to locate
information necessary to finding further information on the
moon.

Observable Objectives or
Outcomes:

Objective: Given computers and appropriate internet

resources, the student will search for information on the
Moon phases culminating in the students giving sharing
their overall knowledge in a short essay.
Objective: Given necessary materials and resources, the
student will work in groups to create an original presentation
that further expounds upon the students knowledge.

Assessment Plan:

Formative Assessment:
Students will turn-in Treasure Hunt activity for feedback as
well as present group projects.
Grading for activity will be placed on 5-point scale
Rubric for Presentation will be based on 3-point scale

Description of Activities with Technology and Materials

Activity Design:

Day 1(75 minutes):

Class starter and lesson

connection:

Class opening (10 minutes): Who saw the moon last night?
Who saw the moon recently? Describe how you think it
looked? Can you draw a few pictures of how the moon has
looked?
Allow students to share their answers and written work with
the class. Ask what they believe or have heard about the
moon at various sizes. This may vary by culture.

Statement of objectives:
Teacher and student
activities:

Were going to learn about the various phases of the moon.

Access Prior Knowledge:
Teacher will review students pictures and assort them into
appropriate categories with one another.
Teacher Activity (20 minutes):
Give students general presentation on the moon. The
presentation should include when the moon formed, how
affects us, and intriguing stories on the phases of the moon.
When the moon formed

 4.5 billion years ago

30-50 million years after solar system
How the moon formed
Collison of planetoid and proto- Earth
Moon affects Earths

Tides
Gain Attention (20 Minutes);
Read Myths about the Moon especially the Full Moon
according to cultures around the world:
http://www.windows2universe.org/mythology/planets/Earth/
moon.html
Allow the class to choose two short stories for you to read
about the moon. Then answer any questions students have
pertaining to the moon.
Class Central Activity:

Treasure Hunt Lesson (25 minutes- until):

Class Activity:
Take class to computer lab. Lay out the rules for the
assignment prior to letting students open their computers.
1. Use the internet links provided on the website page
entitled "Treasure" of the Solar System.
2. Each resource link is used to answer one question.
3. After answering all the answers, move to the Big Question
to bring your ideas together in a broader understanding of
the topic.
4. Stay on task and only go to the resource websites that are
provided.
5. Have Fun!
Ask the students if they have any questions prior to them
beginning.
Give the students the website domain name and the allotted
time to work on the assignment.
5 minutes prior to the bell ringing bring the students back to
class for dismissal. Any unfinished work may be taken home
for homework on top of the assignment that will be given.
Homework: Hand out phases of the moon worksheet that will
require students to simply label the various phases.
Day 2 (75 minutes):
Review the activities from the previous day and discuss it as
a class.
Teacher Activity (20 minutes):

Project Assessment:

Teacher is to ask the student; what difficulties they had in

finding the answers? What was fun about the activity? What
was there big answer?
Allow every student to respond that chooses to do so. This
time will be used for the teacher to assess the students
progress.

Technology Connection:
Materials and Resources:

Class Activity (30-35 minutes):

Students will be assorted into groups of 3-4 and given 30
minutes to create a visual or some other sort of creative
representation of the phases of the moon (All materials must
be provided).The students can use the computers to make a
PowerPoint, poster board to make poster, foam balls to make
visual representation, songs, skits, or create stories about
the moon and its phases.
Presentation (20-25 minutes):
The students will use the remaining time of the class period
presenting their original piece of work.
They will be assessed on their apparent grasp of the
content, creativity, and presentation skills.
PowerPoint, Prezi, and Internet (teacher and student-use)
Computers (Prezi, PowerPoint, Internet, Credited Websites)
Foam Balls
Markers
Color Pencils
Cratons
Poster Board
Foam Balls
Reflection on Lesson Deign

Design:

Cultural Relevance:

Actions :

As a teacher, I focused on the students cultural background

to help build on their prior knowledge and understanding of
the moon. I used class and group work to help facilitate
knowledge and idea sharing. I used whole class instruction
as well as individual instruction during the technology
integrated activity. I gave explicit directions that were
viewable throughout the activities duration as well as rubrics
to help guide the students.
As an educator, I was able to employ culturally relevant
teaching by creating a learning environment that honors all
students knowledge and understandings. I asked students
to discuss examples of moon stories that they heard of. I
allowed students to select the moon stories/ myths of their
choice that I could read aloud to them.

As an educator, I will take more time to locate resources for

my students. Some may. Some students did not have access
to computers for resource material during the presentation
activity and relied heavily on their class work and lectures. I
would bring in more printed resources for my students.