This past week’s lesson design assignment was not particularly challenging at first because I had many lessons already made to choose from, but once I figured out that we had to specifically relate it to a “historical background” benchmark and a unifying theme of science I had a much more difficult time coming up with a specific lesson to construct. I guess I found this difficult because of the degree to which these standards were history/social studies based. Once I found that a lesson on natural selection would be applicable, this assignment was simpler. So, in sum, my feelings towards this assignment flip-flopped quite a bit!
On another note, however, I was very pleased to see that we were asked to construct a lesson using the 5 E’s format. This is how I construct all of my lessons, as I was taught this method of lesson planning during my undergraduate education and teacher training. It is so conducive to the administration and facilitation of inquiry-based and cooperative learning lessons. The particular lesson that I constructed was a combination of two lessons that I currently teach, modified and condensed to fit an hour-long class period. This was a great experience because it made me realize how these two lessons could easier be condensed and made more effective because of it. I am interested to see how this new lesson will work in a real classroom setting. I tend to be highly reflective during the lesson planning process, and have always had a knack for time management in the classroom. For these reasons, I think that I produced a really solid lesson. I cannot wait to implement it within the next two months!
Hi Jordan,
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity, do you use a template similar to the one in class when you plan your 5E lessons? If not, do you prefer one template over the other?
Was there anything that you had to cut from either of your lessons that you did not want to when condensing them? It sounds like it was a pretty painless process! Amy
Jordan - I'd love to see this lesson plan on natural selection - and how you "flip-flopped" in your design....I have found that the greatest thing here online blogging, id the "borrowing" of ideas --- here in Jersey we call it flat out "stealing"!!! but hey.... great lessons are for the future! Hope to see more here great blog wallpaper as well!
ReplyDeleteDave
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteThere is no specific template that I use for constructing my written lesson plans. I simply follow the descriptions of what should apply to each of the E's, mainly the definition of each of those words. I do not necessarily utilize the questions that were displayed in the instructional plan template provided to us per se.
Additionally, the lesson modification process does come rather painlessly to me! I did have to cut some things from each lesson, but in combining these two lessons, I strongly feel that these concepts are more effectively taught.
Jordan