KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

LESSON PLAN FORMAT

Teacher Candidate:
Cooperating Teacher:
Group Size:

20

Subject or Topic:

Taylor Fliszar

Date: 11/24/14

Josh Rankin
Allotted Time:

How Crystals Form

Coop. Initials:
45minutes

Grade Level: 4th grade

Section: EEU 205

STANDARD:
3.3.4.A2: Identify basic properties and uses of Earths materials including rocks, water,
soils, and gases of the atmosphere.
I. Performance Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
A. The fourth grade students will be able to describe how crystals form by
observing crystals in the making.
II. Instructional Materials
A. 20 bowls
B. Water
C. 3 cups of sugar per child
D. 20 pencils
E. 20 pieces of string
F. 20 paperclips
G. Prezi presentation
H. How Crystals are Formed video
I. Observation Log
J. 20 sheets of paper towels
K. Multiple examples of crystals
L. 20 magnifying glasses
III. Subject Matter/Content (prerequisite skills, key vocabulary, big idea, outline of
additional content)
A. Prerequisite skills
1) Knowing how rocks are formed.
2) Knowing the three types of rocks.
B. Key Vocabulary
1) Crystal shape- visible external shape of the material

2) Crystal- solid materials where the molecules fit together in a

repeating pattern. This pattern causes the material to form all
different types of unique shapes
3) Crystallization- process in which crystals form
4) Magma- liquid rock
5) Mixture- when two or more materials combined, but they are not
combined chemically
6) Facets- flat surfaces on the crystals
C. Big Idea
1) How are crystals formed?
IV. Implementation
A. Introduction
1) To introduce the lesson the teacher will go over the three types of
rock (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary).
2) The teacher will then ask the class if they knew what grew on rocks.
The answer is crystals.
3) The teacher will then tell the class we will be learning about how
crystals are formed today.
4) The teacher will play the video How Crystals are Formed.
a) http://www.neok12.com/video/Types-ofRocks/zX406974017f4551027a1a7f.htm
B. Development
1) The teacher will hand out different types of crystals for the students
to observe.
2) The students will look at them using a magnifying glass.
3) The teacher will ask the students where they might find crystals.
4) The teacher will then present the Prezi.( see attached)
5) Once the students understand how crystals are formed, the teacher
will begin the inquiry.
6) The students will add 3 cups of sugar to a cup of water.
7) The students will then mix the mixture around.
8) If the mixture is not mixed well enough, the teacher will heat it up.
9) After our mixture is made, the students will tie a piece of string onto
a pencil.
10) The students will then put a paperclip on the bottom of the string.
11) The students will put their string in the mixture and cover it with a
paper towel.
12) The next day the students will revisit their experiment.
13) The students will then fill in their observation sheet and put it in their
science notebooks. ( see attached)
C. Closure
1) The teacher will allow the students to walk around the classroom
looking at their class mates crystals.

2) The children will do a quick pair-share with a partner to explain how

the crystal grew on their string.
3) The teacher will then allow children to use the I pads.
4) The students will have to look up a specific crystal, draw it, and
explain how it was formed. (see attached)

D. Accommodations/Differentiation
1) Guided notes will be provided for the Prezi presentation.
E. Assessment/Evaluation Plan
Formative1) The teacher will collect the Crystal Web Search.
Summative1) The teacher will collect the science journals at the end of the lesson
to check comprehension.

V. Reflective Response
A. Report of Student Performance in Terms of Stated Objectives (Reflection on
student performance written after lesson is taught, includes remediation for
students who fail to meet acceptable level of achievement)
Remediation Plan
B. Personal Reflection (Questions written before lesson is taught. Reflective
answers to question recorded after lesson is taught)
How could I have expanded the inquiry?

Did the students understand how a crystal is formed?

Were my students engaged during the lesson?

VI. Resources (in APA format)

Types of Rocks - How Do Crystals Form? (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2014, from
http://www.neok12.com/video/Types-of-Rocks/zX406974017f4551027a1a7f.htm
What Are Crystals and How Do They Form. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2014, from
http://www.raci.org.au/document/item/86
Inquiry:
Youtube
Prezi:
https://prezi.com/nxrmpxwu3i2u/what-is-a-crystal/
Pictures:
Google Images