Your informal lesson plan includes two parts: written and an oral presentation. This assignment will provide you with a valuable framework for creating an earth science-related lesson that you can actually use when you start teaching!
Step 1: Select Topic, Grade, And K-8 California State Science Standard
The first few pages of each section of your lab manual list the California State Science Standards for earth science which are relevant to that particular section's topic. For example, the section on Minerals begins with the standards from Grades 2, 4, and 8 (pages 105-107). You might decide that you want to create a lesson plan about minerals that addresses Grade 4 Standard 4b.
Step 2: Choose Three Of The Nature Of Science (NOS) Tenets
As discussed during the first day of class, and as presented in your lab manual (see page 8), the nature of science refers to certain characteristics of scientific knowledge that are related to how knowledge is developed. Choose three of these characteristics and incorporate it into your lesson. For example, you might create an activity in which the students must decide the order in which they must perform certain steps (emphasizing that there is no single "scientific method").
DUE DATE for choosing topic and NOS tenets: February 27, 2007
Step 3: Written Lesson Plan
Create an informal lesson based on your chosen earth science topic that could be taught to an elementary school class. Write a brief (3-4 pages) typed description of the lesson that MUST include the following information:
- Completed cover sheet (see below).
- List of classroom materials (assume a modest budget)
- Description of how the lesson will occur
- Include classroom set-up and/or special student arrangements such as groups (if applicable)
- The introductory material that you will use to begin the lesson
- Step-by-step explanations/demonstrations that you will use throughout the lesson
- An assessment. What are your plans for assessing the learning of the students to make sure they learned the objective (i.e., the specific CA science standard)? In other words, will you give them a homework sheet? A quiz? Have them answer questions verbally? Whatever you decide, you should create it and include it in your lesson plan.
- List your resources. If you found information on a web site, include the site address. If you used a text book as a resource, reference it.
DUE DATE for rough draft: March 27, 2007
DUE DATE for final draft: The class after you do your presentation
Step 4: Oral Presentation
You will present your lesson to the members of your assigned lab group. Lessons should last no more than 45 minutes. Each group member will evaluate the lessons and turn in their evaluation to the instructor.
Oral presentation guidelines, presentation dates, and assigned groups are available here.
Oral Presentation Dates: May 1-10, 2007 (check web page above for your individual presentation date)
