Differentiated Instruction Planner

Solar System Lesson Plan

Grade Level: 6th Grade Science

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to: - Name and describe characteristics of the 8 planets in our solar system - Explain the role of gravity in the formation and structure of the solar system - Discuss recent discoveries and ongoing exploration efforts in our solar system - Work collaboratively to create a model or visual representation of the solar system

Standards Alignment:

• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3

Materials:

• Inflatable solar system model or poster
• Planet fact cards or info sheets at various reading levels
• Art supplies for solar system models (styrofoam balls, paint, markers, etc.)
• Multimedia resources - videos, animations, interactive websites
• Graphic organizers, sentence stems, vocabulary lists to support ELLs
• Leveled texts about space exploration

Lesson Sequence:

Engage (5-10 min):

• Show an exciting video clip about a recent solar system discovery
• Pose questions to spark curiosity and activate prior knowledge

Explore (20-30 min):

• Cooperative Jigsaw Activity: Divide class into "expert groups" - each assigned to research one planet using differentiated materials
• Experts record key facts and create a visual to teach their planet to others
• Jigsaw into "solar system groups" with one expert on each planet
• Experts teach their planets while others listen and record notes on a graphic organizer

Explain (10-15 min):

• Come together for a class discussion to review planet order and characteristics
• Teacher explains key concepts of solar system formation, gravity using inflatable model and animations
• Think-Pair-Share: How might gravity impact objects in the solar system?

Elaborate (20-30 min):

• Students choose to either: 1) Create a 3D model of the solar system to scale 2) Research and present on a recent solar system discovery 3) Write a creative story about traveling to one of the planets
• Provide graphic organizers, sentence stems, research guides to scaffold tasks
• Challenge gifted students to compare our solar system to others or explain how understanding of the solar system has changed over time

Evaluate (10-15 min):

• Students complete a differentiated "exit ticket" to self-assess learning
• Options: labeled diagram, written response, or recorded verbal explanation
• Teacher checks models/presentations with a rubric to assess learning objectives

Differentiation Strategies:

• Provide multimedia resources and visuals to support diverse learning styles
• Offer texts and materials at varied reading levels (newsela, readworks, etc.)
• Give choices in working groups and final product
• Provide scaffolds like graphic organizers, vocab lists, sentence stems
• Design tiered questions and activities to challenge gifted learners
• Allow use of text-to-speech, voice typing tools for student with IEP

Extension Ideas:

• Explore the contributions of diverse scientists & engineers to space exploration
• Incorporate data analysis skills by graphing & comparing planet properties
• Discuss the likelihood and challenges of colonizing another planet
• Connect to current events & new discoveries through space news articles