Galaxies and Light Years Lesson Plan – A Complete Science Lesson Using the 5E Method of Instruction

By the end of this comprehensive lesson about galaxies and light years, students will be able to describe the different types of galaxies. They will also be able to model and describe how light years are used to measure distances and sizes in the universe. Each of our lessons is designed using the 5E method of instruction to ensure maximum comprehension by the students. This well-thought out unit does the heavy lifting, giving teachers easy-to-implement, highly engaging lesson plans.

This blog will walk you through each of the steps and activities from the Galaxy and Light Year 5E Lesson Plan.

ENGAGEMENT

At the beginning of the lesson, the class will discuss the objectives and some of the relevant vocabulary using the included objective statements and word wall cards.

The engagement activity continues with a with a Think-Pair-Share brainstorm activity. Students will look at a PDF with a number of galaxies on it. Students will partner up and classify the galaxies into three groupings. Students will then have to draw a picture representing each of the three classifications and describe their characteristics. The teacher will help to clear any misconceptions like light years is a measurement of time, and we have visited other galaxies.

Estimated Class Time for the Engagement: 20-30 minutes

EXPLORATION

This student-centered station lab is set up so students can begin to explore galaxies. With nine stations in total, you can introduce galaxies and light years to your middle school students in a variety of ways! Four of these stations are considered input stations where students will learn new information about galaxies and light years, and four of the stations are output stations where students will be demonstrating their mastery of the lesson's material. A bonus station offers challenges for your early finishers and independent learners. You can read more about how I set up the station labs here.

Watch It!

At this station, students will be watching a four minute video about the three different types of galaxies. The video will give students a visual of the three types and important information over each one. Students will then answer three questions relating to the video and record their answers on their lab station sheet.

Read It!

This station will provide students with a one-page reading about the Milky Way Galaxy. Students are asked four questions about the reading, including vocabulary, alternate titles, season connection, and how we know we are part of a spiral galaxy.

Explore It!

Students will be working in pairs to create a model of the three types of galaxies. Students will use sand, their hands, and toothpicks to depict the galaxies. Students will also be using information cards giving information and instruction about each type of galaxy. Students will illustrate their creations on their lab sheets.

Research It!

The research station will allow students to get online and read an article about all three galaxies. Students will then be asked to answer four questions based on what they learned while reading.

Organize It!

The organize it station allows your students to use a manipulative to ensure their understanding each of the three types of galaxies. Students will use cards listing characteristics to place next to the correct galaxy that it is describing.

Illustrate It!

Your visual students will love this station. Students will be drawing the three types of galaxies and labeling them.

Write It!

Students who can answer open-ended questions about the lab truly understand the concepts that are being taught.  At this station, the students will be answering three questions like explaining in their own words the differences between the galaxies, location of the sun, and distance to other stars.

Assess It!

The Assess It station is where students will go to prove mastery over the concepts they learned in the lab. The questions are setup in a standardized format with multiple choice answers. Some questions will ask students to identify galaxies from photos, positions of the sun in the Milky Way, names of the types of galaxies, etc.

Challenge It! - Bonus Station

Early finishers and advanced students will love the extension activities in this station. Four activity choices offer them ways to expand their learning through mini-games and mini-projects.

Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: One or two 45-minute class periods

EXPLANATION

The explanation activities will become much more engaging for your class once they’ve completed the exploration station lab. During the explanation piece of the lesson, the teacher will be clearing up any misconceptions their students may have about galaxies and light years with a variety of materials. These materials include on-level and modified versions of the interactive presentation (may be used individually or projected), anchor charts, and paper or digital interactive notebook activities. If you have students that need modified notes, the 5E lessons come equipped to help give every student access to the lesson.

Interactive notebook samples: Above-left is a digital INB activity slide; above-right is an example of the paper INB activities.

The students will also be interacting with their journals using INB templates for galaxies and light years. Each INB activity is designed to help students compartmentalize information for a greater understanding of the concept. The galaxies and light years INB templates will challenge the students to understand and visualize galaxies and light years.

Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: Two or three 45-minute class periods

ELABORATION

The elaboration section of the 5E method of instruction gives students choices that allow them to prove they’ve mastered the concepts behind the lesson. When students are given a choice, they’re much more enthusiastic and invested in the project than they are when their teachers choose their projects for them. There are a total of nine choices to demonstrate understanding of galaxies and light years. A separate set of choices that offer more teacher support are also available for students that need them. Rubrics guide students to doing their best work and assist in grading.

Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: Two or three 45-minute class periods (can also be used as an at-home project)

EVALUATION

The final piece of the 5E model is to evaluate your students' comprehension. Included in every 5E lesson is a homework assignment, assessment, and modified assessment. Research has shown that homework needs to be meaningful and applicable to real-world activities in order to be effective. When possible, I like to give open-ended assessments to truly gauge the student’s comprehension.

Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: One 45-minute class period

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