Lesson Plan TITLE: Home Away from Home!
by Sabrina Julia Fonagy
25379959
OVERVIEW: Constructivist Online Lesson Plan
This is an interactive Internet lesson in which students will explore the suitability of planets for vacationing. Students will create a PowerPoint presentation to essentially ‘Sell their Planet’ to vacationers. This lesson utilizes reading, writing, and computational skills in an interdisciplinary format. Using interactive Internet programs and resources, this unit contains a variety of activities that enable students to construct their understanding on the nature of the assigned planet, how it compares to Earth, the considerations used when making our current International Space Station, and the hypothetical needs their own planet would require as a ‘hotspot’ for human vacationing. An authentic context is created whereby students research the basics of their planet, explore the fundamental needs of humans, investigate current conditions and concerns regarding the International Space Station and maintain a log of their findings and reflections in their electronic journals.
Students will work in groups to collaborate on research, exchange ideas, discuss the findings of their research, and present their conclusions both in the form of a PowerPoint presentation and on the Discussion Board. In addition, this unit highlights the constructivist principle that content should be taught not in isolation, but in relation to all aspects of the real world. Therefore, the lessons integrate a diversity of skills across the curriculum: Space Science for planetary information; Earth Science for vital human needs; Mathematics for calculations and formulas; Language Arts for writing journals, reports, and presentations to the class.
This mini-unit is led by students and moderated by the instructor. The instructor’s role is to assign groups and planets to the teams. In addition, the moderator will help keep the flow of discussions steady and pose thought-provoking questions. After the self-assessment, the moderator will evaluate the participation of the students in discussions, their website evaluations, the PowerPoint presentation, and the personal reflections.
Lesson Plan Summary
Prior to commencing the research portion of the project, students will individually document their current understanding of the assigned planet. Students will brainstorm about the challenges associated with designing a vacation ‘hotspot’ on a planet other than Earth. In assigned groups, students will engage in discovery and the collaboration of knowledge by drawing on previous insights and building on newly constructed understanding.
The unit begins with a student evaluation of the recommended websites. The assignment also gives the option to explore and evaluate their own preferred website. In the constructivist tradition, students attempt to assemble their knowledge through problem-solving. For example, students think of ways to build their planetary resort on a primarily gaseous planet. Each group will have their own unique challenges to overcome. Students' ideas are modified according to their research. Finally, students apply the knowledge accumulated by experts involved in the construction of the International Space Station. Students will summarize their findings by creating a PowerPoint Presentation that will act as a Vacation Brochure and Resort Design Plan specific to their assigned planet.
This project is primarily under the control of the learner and the guidance of the teacher. The research and findings will be entered into the journals, reported back to the group and then ultimately the class to ‘Celebrate our Learning’! At the end of the project, students will compare their original understanding to their current perspectives. In essence, students will participate in meta-cognition: ‘thinking about their own thinking.’
Lesson Plan TITLE: Home Away from Home!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Grade Levels: Grade 9 Science
B.C. Prescribed Learning Outcomes:
D1. Explain how a variety of technologies have advanced understanding of the universe and solar system.
D2. Describe the major components and characteristics of the universe and solar system.
Specific Learning Objectives: Students will…
1. learn to assess the validity of websites and learn to choose the best websites for their needs and specific learning style.
2. work in a cooperative environment.
3. take ownership of their own learning.
4. critically assess the suitability of their planet for human visitation.
5. apply real and imagined technology to combat challenges associated with human exploration and habitation of the planet.
6. present their argument in the form of Reflections, Discussion Boards, and PowerPoint presentations.
Prerequisites: Introductory knowledge of the Milky Way and the International Space Station Project would be beneficial for this project.
Cross Disciplinary Action: Space Science, Earth Science, Mathematics, Technology, Language Arts.
Time Requirements:
PRE-ACTIVITY: Explore students background knowledge and misconceptions regarding the International Space Station and Planet Habitation.
1st hour- Familiarization, Evaluation, and Summary of Websites.
2nd hour- On-Line Research and Accumulation of Data.
3rd hour- Jigsaw: Putting the information together and designing a ‘Planetary Vacation Spot.’
4th hour- Celebration of Learning: Presenting the project to the class (PowerPoint).
POST-ACTIVITY: Explore students’ changes in perspective and knowledge. Students will reflect upon the development of their knowledge through individual and collaborative learning.
Technology Requirements:
i) Access to the Internet- Web Research and Blackboard Learning
ii) PowerPoint- Presentation
iii) Microsoft Journal- Reflection
iv) Discussion Board- Asynchronous and Synchronous Discussions
PRE-ACTIVITY
DISCUSSION BOARD #1: Preconceived Ideas
According to the Constructivist Instructional Model (CIM) learners’ views and ideas need to be identified and recorded in order to support meta-cognition. Prior to this activity, students will be asked to document their understanding of the following:
INDIVIDUAL
Possible ‘guiding questions’ regarding the International Space Station:
a) What is the International Space Station?
b) What is the purpose of constructing the International Space Station?
c) What challenges does living in space pose for human health and well-being?
Possible ‘guiding questions’ regarding assigned planet:
a) How does your planet differ from Earth?
b) What challenges will have to be overcome when building the Planetary Station?
c) What basic human needs must be met in terms of the physical and emotional well-being of holiday goers?
Reflective Journal:
SHARING OF IDEAS
After posting your ideas, reflect on what information you learned from your group members.
a) Which ideas did you share?
b) Which ideas were contrary to your understanding?
1nd Hour: Familiarization, Evaluation, and Summary of Website allocation
DISCUSSION BOARD #2: Website Evaluation
(TEACHER INFORMATION)
WEBSITES
Activity: Individual
Students must use at least one of the following websites as a reference for their PowerPoint Project. A minimum of TWO references must be used. If students choose an alternative website then they must evaluate the alternative website and justify their choice.
Students will evaluate the websites in question in order to get a better understanding of the tools provided.
http://www.Kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/alpha_support.htm
It is important for students to be able to critically evaluate, not only the validity of a website, but the various tools it provides.
Three websites could be used as the primary reference source for the assignment. All the information that is needed to answer the questions can be found on these websites. Initially, all students should take a tour of the three sites. The Summary of Websites chart will introduce students to some key elements they should always look for when embarking on an online research project. The content of the websites does not need to be modified for this purpose since all questions were devised based on these sites. There may be some recent moons that have been discovered since the site was produced; this information would need to be given to students in addition to the website. Also the website could have been designed to meet the needs of various levels, where student enquiry is encouraged. This activity allows the individual students to make an informed choice. This supports the notion of critical thinking, a key component of constructivism.
1st Hour: Familiarization, Evaluation, and Summary of Website allocation
Discussion Board #2: Website Evaluation
(STUDENT INFORMATION)
WEBSITES EXPLORATION
Activity: Individual
When embarking on research it is important to know that though the internet provides a wealth of information, learners must choose appropriate, factual and quality sites for information. Being the future astronaut that you are, you shall explore three websites and evaluate their basic effectiveness in relation to the set criteria provided. Use a √ and X
Summary of Websites
www.Kidsastronomy.com/ / Classroom ConnectSpace Station / BBC Space Science
Web criteria
Search engines present
User Friendly
Visually stimulating
Site Map provided
Hyperlinks provided
Table of contents provided
Advertisements
Safety
Content
Who/what organization
References provided
Last updated date provided
Up-to-date Information
Students
Stream video present
Diagrams and illustrations
Appropriate Levels
Vocabulary Definitions
When complete, post your opinion on the Discussion Board #2: Website Evaluation
a) Which website(s) do you prefer? Justify your choice.
b) If you choose to use an alternative website, use the following criteria to evaluate the website in question and discuss why you think it is a better choice.
c) With your group members decide on your top two or three choices. These sites will be your references.
2nd Hour: Mission Information & Research Plan
(STUDENT INFORMATION)
Introduction: TEAM PAGE
PARADISE PLANET!
WANTED:
Middle Students to Explore Milky Way Vacationing Spot!
Your mission, should you accept, is to explore one of our known planets (other than Earth) to determine its suitability for human vacationing. Your investigation should answer the following two questions: What does your planet have to offer; what factors are working against the creation of a planetary holiday ‘hotspot’?
If you accept the Mission:
Imagine that that you have an office at NASA. You must return from your designated planet with pertinent planetary information, so that NASA can assess if humans are able to vacation there. Your crew must travel to your planet and answer the prescribed questions using the information that is supplied by the following websites:
i) http://www.Kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm
ii) http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/
iii) http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/alpha_support.htm
With your accumulated information, your group needs to come up with a model or diagram of a proposed planetary resort that will survive the challenges specific to your planet. It is up to your team to convince the head of NASA project manager (your course moderator!!!) that she/he should pick your planet as the number one vacationing spot in the popular travel guide GO PLANETS!
Each team will be a crew of a rocket ship that has been sent out to explore new worlds. In this quest you are now orbiting your assigned planet ready to gather information. Think of the computer as your mobile interplanetary space research lab where you can conduct your experiments and gather information. Climb into your rocket ships and start your mission!
Research Plan- Jigsaw
Group Member Title / Task / Indicate which questions you have researched:Supervising Engineer / -Ensures that deadlines are met.
-Encourages group members to express opinions and ask questions.
Design Engineer / Designs Team Patch and Logo for PowerPoint presentation!
(Microsoft Draw)
Technology Engineer / Puts the pieces of the presentation together in the form of a PowerPoint presentation.
Think about it! IF you were to design a resort on a foreign planet, what design features would you have to implement? You have to convince the project manager that your team’s planet is the number one candidate for human vacationing. Here are questions that should be answered in your Design Plan and Vacation Brochure. These questions will also help you get started:
The PowerPoint Presentation will have three components.
I. Basic Planetary Information
Answer the following questions regarding your planet:
1. What is the origin of your planets name?
2. What is the distance of your planet from the sun?
3. What is the average temperature of your planet?
4. What is the escape velocity of your planet?
5. What is the volume, mass, and diameter of your planet in relative terms to Earth?
6. How many hours are in one day, and days in one year on your planet?
7. What is the planetary structure of your planet? E.g. look at the core and atmosphere.
8. Does your planet have moons, and if so, how many?
II. Critical Discussion
1. Regarding its distance, is your planet colder than Earth, warmer than earth, or relatively the same as earth?
3. What is the surface of the planet made of?
4. What kind of atmosphere does your planet have? Does it have features that will allow your group to survive without spacesuits?
5. How much would your teacher way if he/she weighed 160 pounds on Earth? How would this influence the design of your resort?
6. How is the human body affected by the gravitational pull of your planet?
Think about exercise regimes, sleep patterns, radiation, vitamin supplements etc.
7. What kind of special features are found on the surface of your planet?
III. Selling Your Resort- The PowerPoint Brochure and Design Plan
Set up a model or draw a design of a space station for your planet using the information you gathered. Indicate, somewhere on your presentation, what you have learned. Remember it is up to your team to convince the teacher that your model is suitable for your planet. So make sure you discuss how you are going to address the pitfalls involved in visiting your planet.
Are there any additional interesting features on your planet that would make it a fascinating tourist destination?
Remember!
- Include all the facts you found.
- Support your design!
Example 1: If you are on a hot planet, you may need a protective exterior to shield people from the SCORCHING heat.
Example 2: If your atmosphere is primarily sulfuric acid, what could you use this resource in terms of your vacation spot?
- Use your imagination!
- When you present the information to the class, specify the pitfalls to living on that planet as compared with Earth. Think of our basic needs!
Discussion Board #3: POWERPOINT POSTING
a) Comment on other the teams’ proposals.
b) Be sure to provide both positive feedback and constructive criticism.
Discussion Board #4: Upload your Personal Reflection
a) Have you resolved any earlier misconceptions? If so, please describe how your thinking has changed!
b) What new pieces of information did you learn from completing this project?
c) Have you developed, modified and/or changed your views, and if so, how?