The reason for the The reason for the seasons!seasons!

By: Melanie ByersBy: Melanie Byers

School InformationSchool Information

Our school has a little over 1000 students 35% Our school has a little over 1000 students 35% of which are on free or reduced lunch. of which are on free or reduced lunch.

predominately whitepredominately white I teach 7I teach 7thth grade science grade science I have about 100 studentsI have about 100 students I have one Arabic speaking student, and I have I have one Arabic speaking student, and I have

15 students with learning disabilities15 students with learning disabilities

IndicatorIndicator

Standard: Earth and space science, Standard: Earth and space science, benchmark A, Indicator 1benchmark A, Indicator 1

Describe how objects in the solar system Describe how objects in the solar system are in regular and predictable motions that are in regular and predictable motions that explain such phenomenon as days, years explain such phenomenon as days, years

and you guessed it, SEASONS! and you guessed it, SEASONS!

Lesson OverviewLesson Overview Play winter spring summer or fall songPlay winter spring summer or fall song Pre testPre test Student directed season model (act out using props)Student directed season model (act out using props) Rotation/ revolution Simon Says gameRotation/ revolution Simon Says game Direct instruction using earth ball and sun puppetDirect instruction using earth ball and sun puppet Interactive smart bd. activityInteractive smart bd. activity Model building (including 23.5degree tilt) and rotation Model building (including 23.5degree tilt) and rotation

directiondirection Student check of each others’ modelsStudent check of each others’ models Rotation/ revolution flash cards with pictures, season drawingsRotation/ revolution flash cards with pictures, season drawings Post test Post test

Assessments:Assessments:

Formative:Formative:

Pre-test, Simon says, model making, Smart Pre-test, Simon says, model making, Smart board activity, flash cards with pictures, board activity, flash cards with pictures, questions while facilitating small groupsquestions while facilitating small groups

Summative:Summative:

Post test, drawingsPost test, drawings

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Pd 1 Pd 3 Pd 5 inc. Pd 6 Pd 7

Pre testpost testDifference

Data and results/ Class avg.Data and results/ Class avg.

Data InterpretationData Interpretation Most class averages went from a D or an F to an A on the pre/ Most class averages went from a D or an F to an A on the pre/

post test!!!!!post test!!!!! The inclusion class had the largest increase in scores. YES!The inclusion class had the largest increase in scores. YES! Almost all students did very well on the seasons drawings. Almost all students did very well on the seasons drawings.

The drawings showed me who needed help with understanding The drawings showed me who needed help with understanding and I helped them on an individual basis.and I helped them on an individual basis.

7 students still missed the question about what celestial body 7 students still missed the question about what celestial body is in the middle of the solar system. Hmm I guess I needed to is in the middle of the solar system. Hmm I guess I needed to stress where the sun is located. stress where the sun is located.

The data tells me that the lesson was successful. Most points The data tells me that the lesson was successful. Most points lost were on the short answer because I expected detailed lost were on the short answer because I expected detailed explanations as to why Ohio experiences a change in seasons.explanations as to why Ohio experiences a change in seasons.

My students could use help writing short answer responses.My students could use help writing short answer responses.

Overall reflectionOverall reflection This lesson went well and as always it improved throughout the day. This lesson went well and as always it improved throughout the day. Students LOVED the rotation and revolution game. They were eager to Students LOVED the rotation and revolution game. They were eager to

tell who was out!tell who was out! The smart board interactive activity was a hit as well.The smart board interactive activity was a hit as well. Kids became a little frustrated trying to measure the 23.5degree angle and Kids became a little frustrated trying to measure the 23.5degree angle and

needed a little more direct instruction on how to use the protractor.needed a little more direct instruction on how to use the protractor. The summative assessments showed that students did in fact increase The summative assessments showed that students did in fact increase

understanding of the cause of the seasons.understanding of the cause of the seasons. Checking each others’ models worked out great and the students were into Checking each others’ models worked out great and the students were into

it. it. Two weeks after the lesson one of my “cool” students told me that he Two weeks after the lesson one of my “cool” students told me that he

heard that “fall song” at Meijer. Maybe he was touched by music heard that “fall song” at Meijer. Maybe he was touched by music Differentiation was embedded in the lesson through heterogeneous Differentiation was embedded in the lesson through heterogeneous

grouping and by addressing a variety of learning styles. grouping and by addressing a variety of learning styles. Modifications were made as needed by the intervention specialist.Modifications were made as needed by the intervention specialist.