Kristen Chaffins

Day 5: Analyze pulsar plots and discuss the future of pulsars

I. Analyze the learners: This lesson is designed for 9th grade honors students in a

West Virginia High School ranging from ages 14 to 16. There will be roughly twenty

students in the class and the female students will slightly outnumber the male

students. The students will largely be Caucasian, with only two students being

African American. Most of the students identify as spatial, kinesthetic, and

interpersonal learners. They learn best by using visual aids, hands on activities, and

group work. Previous learning competencies of the students include some entry level

knowledge of basic astronomy and the structure of the Milky Way Galaxy. The

students will also have basic math skills needed to analyze the data. The students

are also able to use a computer efficiently and have an understanding of how to use

the internet in order to research topics and analyze data.

II. State Objectives: The students will analyze 5 pulsar plots, in groups of two or

three, using an online database, previously taken notes, and Facebook with 95%

accuracy by the final day of instruction. The students will then present a short

presentation on their findings.

III. Select methods, media, and materials: The students encompass many

different learning styles, therefore I will incorporate different materials to my lesson.

Voki: I have created a Voki in order to enhance the experience of a bell

ringer. The Voki will ask the students their bell ringer which they will then

answer in their bell ringer notebook.

Twitter: After every class, students will be expected to write a short

reflection about what they thought of the lesson that day. I have created a

class Twitter account that will be used. This will allow the students

somewhere to give their feedback on a forum they use on an everyday basis.

Facebook: The students will post possible discoveries, as well as interesting

pulsar plots to the Facebook page. They will also comment on each other’s

posts to increase class discussion and understanding.

Robotics: The students will present their final project to the class, alongside

with their pulsar data. They will have been working on their robot for the

entire unit and this will allow them a more hands on approach to learning.

IV. Utilize Media and Materials: Prior to the start of the final day of instruction, I

will prepare the Facebook page to allow students to post their discoveries. A computer

lab will be reserved in advance to allow for the whole class to work together. I will

facilitate and discuss the findings with each group. I will also make sure that a projector

is available for my class room so that I may display their findings for the whole class to

see. This will also allow the students a place to display their findings during their final

presentation of robotics and pulsar data.

V. Require Learner Participation: The students will interact with each other by

discussing their robots and displaying their findings from the data analysis. They will

work in groups to analyze data and then present their findings to the class. This will

allow the students to once again, teach each other. This increases the creative learning

atmosphere of the class. It will also allow me to assess each student’s knowledge, as

well as their ability to work and participate in group activity.

VI. Evaluate and Revise: To assess the students I will take into consideration how

they participated in their assigned group, as well as how well they did on their robot.

There will be a rubric in place to deal with application, appearance, and movement for

the robot. The students will be given an overall participation grade for the entire unit

plan. This will include the participation not only in class, but also on the class Facebook,

Twitter, and Blog. The students will have also turned in other assignments such as the

WebQuest and Podcast questions. This will allow me to evaluate how well my students

understood the material, as well as allowing me evaluate how I as a teacher presented

the material to the students. I will take the reflections the students give on Twitter, as

well as their overall assessment and revise any parts of my unit plan. This will allow my

students to also have an input on how I teach this lesson in the future.