Enhancing Astronomy Lesson with Technology

Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids

Standards Addressed:

Content Area: Science

Standard 3: Earth Systems Science

1. Earth is part of the solar system, which includes the Sun, Moon, and other bodies that orbit the Sun in predictable patterns that lead to observable paths of objects in the sky as seen from Earth.

a.     Gather, analyze, and interpret data about components of the solar system (DOK 1-2)  

Learning Objective: Can I explain the difference between comets, meteors, and asteroids using an iPad?

Materials:  

            -Blank paper 

            -5 Student iPads

            -1 Teacher iPad with Apple TV and Class Dojo app

            -Document camera/ projector

            -Assessment clickers

            -Various resources for student group projects

Anticipatory Set:

1) Have students activate their background knowledge by doing a 60 second write about what they already know about comets, meteors, and asteroids. They need to be writing for 60 seconds and they cannot talk. When the 60 seconds are up students will share with a shoulder partner and add to their list. We will then discuss this as a class.

2) Using the teacher iPad and Apple TV, play the Brain Pop video on Asteroids.

Lesson:

            3) Explain the learning objective for the lesson.

4) Put students into small mixed ability groups.

5) Pass out blank paper and have students create a graphic organizer about as much asteroid, comet, and meteor information as possible using their background knowledge and information from the Brain Pop video.  Their organizer can look however they want it to, as long as it conveys the information in a clear manner that makes sense to them.

6) Brainstorm as a class what kinds of information might be helpful to look for and put on the graphic organizer so that students have a jumping off point.

7) Model how to find good information on the Internet using the teacher iPad. Have students research the Internet on their iPads for important information to add to their graphic organizer.

8) Students should also draw pictures of an asteroid, a comet, and a meteor on their graphic organizer.  

9) Using the Apple TV and Teacher iPad, play the music video What is a      Shooting Star? by They Might Be Giants. Have students add pertinent information to graphic organizer.

10) Show examples of exceptional student work on the document camera.

 11) As students are working, I will monitor their behavior using the iPad app Class Dojo.

12) Possibly a second class session: Have a whole group discussion about possible projects that students could do to show understanding of the material. Group students based on what projects they would like to work on.

13) Guide students in creating rubrics to grade their own work before they begin. The rubrics will be specific to the project each group has chosen.

14) Give students time and resources to work on their projects. Teacher will circulate through the room monitoring student progress, taking anecdotal notes, and asking guiding questions.

Formative Assessment:

15) Take anecdotal notes on student progress and effort.

16) Use clickers to have students answer 5 multiple choice questions about asteroids, meteors, and comets. This is a formative assessment that gives me a good idea of which students have mastered the content.  

Summative Assessment:

17) Have students present their projects as well as complete a self evaluation form dictating how they think they did working on the project, what grade they think they should receive, and why.

Closure:

18) Address the learning objective and ask students to self assess if they have met the objective or not.  

19) Recognize the highest Class Dojo point holder by awarding them with a mechanical pencil.