Lesson Plan: Density Stations

1. Grade/Age Level: 8th Grade, 13-14 year olds

2. Subject Area: Earth Science

3. Time allotted for the lesson: 3 class periods (1 hour each)

4. Short description of lesson:

a. In this lesson, the learners will choose one station to complete each day, so that by the end of the week they have completed a total of three different stations. Stations are all focused on density and include a technology, reading, lab, discussion, and mathematics activity.

5. Idaho State Curriculum Standards introduced in this lesson:

a. 8-9.ES.1.3.1 Measure changes that can occur in and among systems.

b. 8-9.ES.1.3.2 Analyze changes that can occur in and among systems.

c. 8-9.ES.1.3.3 Measure and calculate using the metric system.

6. Instructional Objectives:

a. Upon completion of three of the five stations students will be able to

 identify how to measure and calculated density

 know the units associated with mass, volume, and density

 know several real world applications of density

7. Instructional Procedures

a. Lesson Webpages: http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/gaffordm/506/stations_final.html

b. Lesson Set: During the introductory lesson students will have been taught how to navigate the webpages associated with the stations for this activity. The following day, after the introductory lesson students will be quickly reminded of each station and directed to choose three. They will spend the next three days completing one station per day.

c. Procedure: 1. Set up Lesson Set and introduce lesson 2. Students will complete each station based on the instructions given by the teacher at each station. Teacher will access the instructions and activities from the stations webpages. 3. Lesson Closure activity

d. Lesson Closure: During the last two minutes students will come back together as a whole group and share with their assigned partner what they learned that day. During the last three minutes two randomly called on students will share with the whole class what they learned that day. 8. Adaptations for special learners: Students who struggle with reading will have been paired up. Students who struggle with mathematics will be able to use a calculator. Other specialized accommodations needed to meet an individual students needs will be accommodated based on a learners IEP.

9. Assessment/Evaluation: During the three days of work the teacher will meet with individual students and talk to them briefly about what they have learned, what they are currently doing, and what the intend to do in the future. Teacher will provide feedback in the form of probing questions and positive reinforcement of responses.

10. Learner Products: Notes or activity work depending on the chosen station.

* Note for learners: This lesson plan template is adapted from the model that is recommended in the book Preparing to Use Technology: A Practical Guide for Technology Integration.