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Here is an example of the type of lessons that will be taught in my class

Unit Topic: Animals Found in Our Community

Grade: Fifth

Lesson Topic: Underground Organisms

Lesson Objectives: 1. Students will be able to identify characteristics of organisms that live underground.

2. Students will be able to construct a visual representation of the food chain of decomposers.

Instructional Technique: Students will do a whole-class discussion and complete a chart describing what they already know about underground organisms. Then, using the “Soil Safari” website, they will discover characteristics about the organisms found underground, and fill out the accompanying handout individually. Then, they will do a turn-and-talk with a peer to discuss what they have learned about the organisms. Finally, for homework, students will create a food web of the decomposition process.

Instructional Materials:

-Computers

- Poster paper, markers

- “Soil Safari” website:

- Handout and questions document (see attached)

- Homework page (see attached)

Theoretical Perspective: It is important for students to learn this material because it connects to their own lives. This lesson is about underground animals that live in the student’s backyards. They are able to connect content from school to their lives outside of the classroom, real-world application. This lesson is valuable because they are practicing identifying how organisms survive and adapt in their environments. For example, a student may notice that none of the underground creatures have eyes, and conclude that this is because they do not live in an environment where they are exposed to light. When the students create their decomposer food chain diagrams, they will see how the underground ecosystem functions as an important aspect in the environment. They may also conclude that each organism in the web has its own vital function, and the system would fail if one organism was missing.

Procedure:

A)     Introduction

a.      Students will be asked to gather on the carpet as a whole class

b.      I will ask students to help me create a poster of what they already know about animals that live underground.

B)     Step-By-Step

a.      Students will be asked to go to a computer, individually.

b.      I will provide them with the handout (see attached)

c.       Students will follow the instructions on the handout until they are finished, then turn it in to me.

d.      I will hand out the homework assignment.

C)     Closure

a.      Students will do a turn-and-talk with a peer and discuss two things they learned from the activity and how/what certain characteristics allow the organism to survive underground.

D)     Adaptations

a.      For ELL students, essential vocabulary words such as the names of the different creatures, will be pre-taught. I will also provide them with pictures of the animals and their names on cards. Extra time will be given if they need to complete the handout.

b.      For a student with ADD/ADHD, they will be asked to be the scribe for the poster (introductory activity) so they stay engaged in the activity.

Evaluation: The first lesson objective is “Students will be able to identify characteristics of organisms that live underground.” I will know that students have reached this objective if they have correctly answered the questions on the handout. The second objective is “Students will be able to construct a visual representation of the food chain of decomposers.” I will know they have reached this objective when they hand in their homework that shows a diagram of the food web.  Both of these assessments are formal, because students are turning them in for a grade.