As I began planning for my lesson plan this week, I used the 5E's Strategy. This was a new format for me to use in the planning process. However, I found this process very useful, and that I have unknowingly used some parts of this format in my planning all along. In every lesson I try to find some way to engage my students in the learning process, then explore and evaluate their learning. This strategy helps me ensure that I am developing and delivering high quality lessons for my students.
My lesson plan that I formulated this week addresses the question of what would happen to a living thing if it were placed in an unfamiliar environment. My students have been discussing how all living things have needs in order to survive. This lesson is going to help transition the instruction into different types of environments and habitats, giving students a first count experience into what would happen if you moved a plant or animal out of their current habitat into an unfamiliar one.
The class would use a plant that is found in our region and place it in two differing habitats that are simulated in a greenhouse. We will observe the effects of the new habitat on the plant. Then use our findings to help us infer what would happen to animals if we were to do the same thing.
If I were to implement this lesson that I created this week one logistical issue that I would need to address is how my class is going to use the greenhouse located across the parking lot. It is very challenging moving a classroom of twenty second graders inside a school building. Moving them across the parking lot may pose a tremendous challenge. This will also require tremendous teacher support due to the equipment involved in the experiment. However, this will be a great learning experience for the students if the experiment is a success.
I plan on using this lesson idea with my students in the next couple of weeks. Keep your fingers crossed that it is a success!!
My fingers are crossed and I can't wait to hear how your lesson turns out! I also teach second grade. One thing that I have seen teachers do when they are walking with a class through potentially dangerous areas is have all of them hold onto a rope. Then they are forced to stay in a line and you know that everyone is with you if they are holding on. Just a suggestion.
ReplyDeleteDo you plan to capture some animals and see how the will respond to being taken out of their natural enviornments?
I am afraid to take animals out of their natural environments. I do not want to harm them. However, we are lucky enough to have a natural wetland beside our school so this is a great way for my students to study animals in their natural habitat. I think we could have great conversation after our experiment about what would happen to these animals if they were placed in the desert environment.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds challenging, but it sounds like you have a good plan. I like that you are using the greenhouse and the kids will be so excited. I like the idea of using the rope from Diana. I think I should try that with my 8th graders! =)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such an interesting lesson! We about to go into our ecology unit, and I may have to borrow this idea. Let us know how it goes. And the rope is a GREAT idea. Our team last year had quite a rowdy, mischievous group of 6th graders, so we roped them everywhere we went. It worked well to teach them what we expected and make sure we didn't lose one on the way to lunch.
ReplyDeleteI will let you know how this lesson goes. This week we are on Spring Break (yay!!) so I will not be able to begin this lesson for a couple of weeks. I love the idea of the rope. Some of my students will hate it, but their safety is much more important!! Thank you for all of your great ideas.
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