Micro Lesson 1: 2nd Grade Science

Lesson Plan: I. Rationale & II. Overview Reflections: Assessing Prior Knowledge and Planning Instructions:

·      What do the students need to know prior to the lesson?

o   In order to succeed with this lesson students will need to know what a caterpillar is and what a butterfly is. This is because without knowing what these things are the students will not be able to understand that these 2 insects are in fact different. Students also need to have background information on how to use the computer and type in a URL. 

·      How will prior knowledge and experience be assessed?

o   Prior knowledge and experience will be addressed at the very beginning of the lesson by asking students to raise their hand if they have seen a caterpillar and a butterfly before? This will be an informal assessment.

·      How will you use this information in the planning process?

o   This information will be used in the planning process by determining how in detail the teacher needs to go when describing/teaching the life cycle of a butterfly. Some students may need more basic descriptions while others may already know the basic information.

·      Why should the content of this lesson be taught at this grade level?

o   This is a great lesson to be taught at this grade level because it is a part of the science standards for 2^nd grade. This content is also very engaging and interesting for students in 2^nd grade level.

·      How do the objectives that you have for the lesson align with the standards?

o   My objectives for this lesson align perfectly with the standard that I used. They align so well because the standard requires the students to know the life cycle of insects and my objectives require the students to know the life cycle of a butterfly which is a type of insect.

·      When will the lesson be taught in the course of the school year? Why?

o   This lesson can be taught at any time throughout the school year. The reason this lesson can be taught at any time throughout the school year is because it does not require any grade specific prior knowledge. However, it would make most sense to teach this lesson at the same time you teach lesson on the life cycles of other insects, plants, and animals. 

Lesson Plan: III. Implementation Reflection: Designing Instructions:

·      Why are you using the instructional methods you have described?

o   In this lesson the teacher will use a lot of visuals, class discussions and practice to learn the life cycle of a butterfly. The reason I am using these instructional methods is because I feel like they allow the students to access the information no matter what there learning style may be. Also, frequently checking for understanding throughout the lesson will allow the teacher to manage the pace of the lesson based upon the performance of each individual student.

·      How do the instructional methods align with what you know about best practices (think about your methods classes)?

o   These instructional methods allow the students to participate throughout the entire lesson. By allowing the students to participate the students become more engaged and the content becomes more memorable. These instructional methods also allow for lots of repetition of the content, which in return will help the students remember the important information. 

·      How are you engaging students in creative and higher order thinking?

o   I am engaging students in creative and higher order thinking throughout this lesson by asking them to remember the order of the life cycle as well as what each stage represents. The students have to be creative by drawing a visual representation of each stage that they learn about. This requires the students to think deeper about the content instead of just memorizing the words in a given order.

Lesson Plan: IV. Assessment Reflection: Planning Assessment:

·      How does the assessment align with the standards and objectives of this lesson?

o   The assessment for this lesson aligns very nicely with the standard and objectives. The assessment asks the students to recall and visually explain each stage of the life cycle of a butterfly. The objective of this lesson was essentially to be able to order the stages of the life cycle of a butterfly, which is exactly what the assessment asks the students to do.

·      How does the assessment demonstrate that the students have been successful in learning the content?

o   The assessment when evaluated tells the teacher which students know the life cycle of a butterfly and which students do not know the life cycle of a butterfly. In other words the assessment tells the teacher which students did or did not learn the content of the lesson.

·      How does the assessment demonstrate student engagement in higher order thinking?

o   The assessment shows higher level thinking by having the students put the stages of the life cycle of a butterfly in order. It also requires higher level thinking because it requires the students to visualize and draw a picture of each of the 4 stages.

·      How does the assessment demonstrate that the individual student needs were met?

o   Since the assessment is an individual assignment the teacher will be able to assess what each individual student knows. Based upon the students grade on the assessment the teacher will be able to tell which students need to be retaught the lesson.

 

Lesson Plan: V. Materials & Resources Reflection:

·      How does your lesson meet each of the ISTE NET’s Standards?

o   My lesson meets all of the ISTE NET’s Standards because it allows for students to be creative, use technology, and it requires the students to practice digital age citizenship and responsibility.

·      How does your lesson meet Standard 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity?

o   My students are asked to be creative by drawing a picture that represents each of the 4 stages of the life cycle of a butterfly.

·      How does your lesson meet Standard 2: Provide Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessment?

o   Students play a game online. This requires the students to be able to navigate the Internet. The online game is a type of assessment because it cannot be completed until the stages are ordered correctly. A rubric is used to grade the assessment at the end of the lesson.

·      How does your lesson meet Standard 3: Model Digital Age Work & Learning?

o   Students watch the teacher navigate the Internet when showing the videos to the class. The students also watch the teacher use the overhead projector to show images of each stage of the life cycle of a butterfly.

·      How does your lesson meet all four elements of Standard 4: Promote and Model Digital Age Citizenship and Responsibility by:

o   Advocating, modeling, and teaching safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

§  The videos and pictures shown in class are cited. Students are given a specific URL to link them to the game that they will play. The students will be aware that the teacher did not create the game and that Sheppard Software did.  If students look anything up online they will be expected to cite their information.

o   Addressing the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.

§  The online game will be completed in class. This will give all students access to a computer.

o   Promoting and modeling digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.

§  The student’s will not be communicating or typing anything online. However, they will be made aware of how to act when using technology.

o   Developing and modeling cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools.

§  My lesson does not have students talking to other students using digital communication. However, I will make sure that the game is appropriate for all cultures in my classroom.

Links:

• Lesson Plan

• Life Cycle of a Butterfly Assessment