Lesson Plan
Unit Topic or Theme: Life Science- Life Cycles

Grade: 4

Lesson Objectives: The student will be able to identify the steps of the life cycle of a monarch butterfly.

Instructional Technique: class discussion, website (http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/science/hamshall/life_cycles/images/lifecycleflash.swf)

Instructional Materials: KWL (What you Know, What you Want to Know, What you Learned) chart, handouts

Theoretical Perspective: It is important to learn about the world and the things that live in it with us. Also, is important for kids to learn that everything, including humans, go through a life-cycle.

Procedure:

            A: Introductory Activity

·      Have students work in partners to fill out a KWL chart. Children should only be filling out the first two columns (know and want to know).

            B: Step-by-step

1.     Students work in partners to construct the first two parts of a KWL chart

2.     Further introduce the students to this topic by reading an informational text about it

3.     In groups of two, have students go to the interactive website.

4.     Make sure students are reading the extended information on each step of the lifecycle

5.     Once students are familiarized with each step of the lifecycle, their next task is to complete the worksheet with their partner. Students should explain each part of the lifecycle.

6.     Once students complete their worksheets, have the class come back together and present their knowledge of the lifecycle of the butterfly based on the worksheets.

7.     Fill in the ‘learned’ part of the KWL chart for homework

8.     Students present their finished charts as a class and share what they have learned

            C: Closure

·      After students complete homework of finishing the KWL chart the night after the lesson, as a class the students should present what they filled in on their KWL charts to share information they learned.

            D: Adaptions for different learners

·      Students who have a hard time with fine motor skills should be able to use iPads instead of computers and a mouse

·      Students who struggle with reading should be paired with a student that is above or at reading level

            E: Homework

·      Fill in the ‘learned’ part of the KWL so that this information can be shared as a class the next day

Evaluation:

            A: How/ when will you determine if you have met your objectives?

·      The students will come in with his/her KWL charts and we will share what they have as a class.

·      At the end of the unit, there will be a small test where they will have to fill out a form exactly like this one.

            B: Concerns or questions you have about teaching this lesson?

·      One concern would be the freedom of having the internet at their finger tips where they could go onto any website in a matter of seconds while I am helping another student.

·      Having the students working in partners could be more of a distraction than an aid.