As stated in my previous blog, I have had some difficulties with this lesson plan. Initially I thought it would be easy but it was tricky trying to pull together a historical benchmark from the 2061 collection, the idea of meshing the STEM topics into a lesson and finding something appropriate for diverse learners.
The five E's are an excellent tool and when I teach I naturally incorporate many of these ingredients in my presentation and in interactions with my students. Making a lesson personal, connecting science with real life experiences, giving the students questions that lead to critical thinking and dynamic group discussions, and creating assessments that show me my students have learned in a variety of formats- I use all of these when teaching, although they may not be written into my lessons per se.
I believe that writing these into my lesson plans would help me consider what I do and how I do it before going into the classroom, rather than winging it from time to time (although we all do!)
When I was writing my lesson plan, I wondered if it was practical to have my students do as much math as the lesson requires. It's simple mathematics and all scientists must use math to prove their work- perhaps this is good real life practice. Not all of my students are good with math, so I will include calculators (they love calculators).
I too had a hard time trying to connect things to the historical standards. It seemed like everything was 6-8 or 9-12 and since I teach 4th grade, it was a little hard trying to find those that matched up with my grade level. Sorry to hear you were having such a hard time. I haven't had problems with the templates, but I have been having trouble with getting an originality score from Turnitin. Technology, its great sometimes, and stinks other times.
ReplyDeleteI, too, had a hard time with the standards. I am so used to using our South Carolina standards and having to pull from all of these other standards documents this week blew my mind. I am sorry you had difficulty, but it makes me feel a little bit better that I was not the only one who had difficulty.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I struggled with the standard, I normally teach 2nd grade! So, the difference was a little overwhelming!
ReplyDeleteAlso I agree that using the Strategies help to not just wing it. Getting used to going through the steps will help to make all lesson more effective.
Julie, for my lesson I took 'Harnessing Power' and adjusted it for 5th grade. In reality we don't just spring this on the kids in High School, we start out in Elementary School so I took some liberty...I hope I'm right about it!
ReplyDeleteAnd- it does not say on our assignment page to submit our lesson to Turnitin. I checked it a moment ago and it still doesn't say that.
Did everyone else submit their lesson plan to Turnitin too?
Lisa, I know what you mean about digging for standards. To be honest this was the most difficult assignment I've had at Walden so far- when it came to creating something that fit specific and exacting standards. It's taken a bit of the wind out of my sails I'm afraid.
Thanks Jennifer for posting- It's nice to know we're not alone in struggling with this assignment!
- Kathleen
I just had a hard time finding a lesson that felt portrayed me as a teacher. I finally decided to go with something simple. I still struggled with the standards for Science standards. There are so many different typs of lesson plans that once I get use to one, another one comes along. I found it to be father difficult to pull together.
ReplyDelete