Pre-lesson Reflection~

Assessing Prior Knowledge:

This lesson is a science lesson for 1st grade.  It will be the third part of the lesson of a 4 part lesson.  We will be learning about the different habitats of animals and plants and how they adapt.

At the beginning of the lesson, I will talk to the student about how other animals we studied so far found water and stayed alive in their environment.

If students can place the animals in the appropriate places and understand why, then they have prior understanding to move on. If some students still struggle, then the class can review and the teacher can model a little more until there is more understanding.

Planned Instruction:

To help students understand clearly what the objectives are I will first start by showing the students water evaporating off a chalkboard or some other material that will dry quickly.  I will ask the students what happens to the water? What does water evaporate from? Does water evaporate from plants and animals, too?

We will discuss how hard it is for animals to live in the desert where there is very little water.  We will discuss how the animals adapted to survive with little water and stay cool in the intense heat. 

The standards that we will be addressing is to identify plants and animals that exist in their local environment (S1:C3:PO1) and for the students to be able to collaboratively participate in conversions with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and large groups (1.SL.1)

Designing Instruction:

The lesson states that the students will be able to show how animals and plants have adapted to the desert.  They should be able to analyze how they stay cool and how they find water; two key components for surviving in the desert.  

This lesson is engaging that all students from all levels should be able to follow along.  I would pair up students or group them with a range of levels; high students with lower students, to help them gain a deeper understanding of the lesson with peer instruction.  Students who did not demonstrate understanding from the previous lessons will be with me so that I can model for them on a more one-on-one level.  

The technology used will be diverse enough that it will meet both lower level students and higher level students.  It is interactive and will re-enforce the lessons taught previously and that day.

https://www.schoology.com/assignment/46333701/info

Assessment:

The students will be assessed by what type of animal they created.  They must show how they stay cool and how they will find water.