Unit Topic: Geography
Grade: 5th Grade
Lesson Topic or Theme: The various geographical features of Antarctica and the species that inhabit it
Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to identify various features of Antarctica and also be able to identify some common species that live there.
Instructional Technique: To begin class, we will start with a lecture to continue developing the classes knowledge on Antarctica. I will then propose various questions to them on the board, which will first be discussed in pairs and then later answered in a whole group discussion. After the whole group discussion, students will get their chromebooks and complete the Antarctica Geography and Animals quiz by themselves.
Instructional Materials: Powerpoint, computer, chromebooks, interactive quiz
Theoretical Perspective: To understand basic physical systems that affect everyday life and to learn the location of places and the physical and cultural characteristics of those places.
Procedure:
A. Introductory Activity: Not Applicable
B. Step-by-step: When students enter the room, they will immediately sit at their desks and take out their notebooks. We will begin class with a lecture where I will present a powerpoint about Antarctica and students will take notes on the powerpoint. After the lecture, I will present the class with a set of questions on the board. Students will be broken into pairs where they will discuss the questions and write down their answers. Once pair work ends, we will discuss the answers to the questions as a whole group.
C. Closure: Students will be assessed using the interactive quiz on the geography and animals in Antarctica. They will be given two attempts for the quiz and must record their scores and answers for both attempts.
D. Adaptations for different learners: The implementation of pair work and whole group discussion in this lesson is beneficial for students who are successful when working with peers and ones that are auditory learners. The use of the lecture and powerpoint is useful for the students who are more visual learners and enjoy the process of note taking.
E. Homework: None
Evaluation:
A. How/ when will you determine if you have met your objectives?
Please list each of your stated objectives for the lesson. Then demonstrate how you will document successful completion for each.
The objectives for this lesson are “Students will be able to identify various features of Antarctica and also be able to identify some common species that live there.” In order to determine successful completion of these objectives, the interactive quiz will serve as the indicator. Once students document their results from their attempts they will pass them into me to be viewed. Students who finish the second quiz with 6 out of 7 answers correct will have shown successful completion for these objectives. This lesson can be referenced in the larger unit assessment, as at the end of the unit students will be given a final test on the seven continents, their geographical features, and common species that live there.
B. Concerns or questions you have about teaching this lesson?
Concerns: How can I ensure students stay on-task while working on computers? How can I ensure that students in small groups are all participating, contributing, and understanding the material?