Lesson Plan

Student Population- 6/7/8 graders (on and off grade level, +/- 3 grades)

Unit Goal-Students will name geological features of Warrego Vallis on Mars, use digital image processing and analysis software in preparation to play the Mars Mystery Spot (Array) Game.

Lesson Objective-Students will play the Mars Mystery Spot game, finding opponents array by analysis of the Warrego Vallis image using NIH Image processing tools.

• Anticipatory Set-Students will:
  • choose chocolate or pizza as prize for team that wins Mars Mystery Spot Game.
• Instruction Set-Teacher will:
  • Explain lesson activity/word bank (flatten for your population) on white board.
  • Randomly select 3 students to read student handout aloud.
  • Select one student helper for Demonstration of steps 1d-8d on LCD panel.
  • Check for understanding by having students highlight each of the two tools one at a time (coordinate tool and info window) in NIH Image.
  • Direct and help students to open the lessons image file.
  • Facilitate student use of software tools, analysis and writing task.
  • Turn on background music of Holtz "The Planets".
  • Annotate individual student records as facilitation proceeds.

Guided Practice- Student helper will be directed to go through steps 1d-8d Students will be helped and encouraged as teacher circulates through understanding check and facilitation.

Closure- Students will be brought together as class. Winning team will answer questions and explanation how they found opponent array. Teacher will call for the shut down of the lab 3 minutes before passing bell rings.

Independent Practice- NONE

Materials & Equipment- Access to Mac/s, Student Handout, NIH Image 1.60 or newer, Learner records printed for annotation, Image file of Warrego Vallis on Mars, videos titled "Live From Mars: COUNTDOWN" OR "Live From Mars: CRUISING BETWEEN THE PLANETS", AV hardware.