This week I really struggled with creating the STEM Strategies Lesson Plan. Since I am not currently teaching, I found it difficult to come up with a topic that I wanted to create a lesson plan for. I knew I wanted to do something in the Astronomy field, but wasn’t sure what specific topic to cover. So after considering a few different topics such as planetary orbits, or the phases of the moon, I finally settled on a lesson where students were able to get hands on experience creating lunar impact craters. I found a wonderful activity through the NASA website to work with and used it as a basis for creating the lesson plan.
Having had previous experience with the 5 E’s strategy during my Bachelor’s degree classes, I found it was nice to get back to using it again. I appreciate how effective the 5 E’s method is in creating a lesson plan with all the necessary components. Too often items such as extensions and yes even conclusions are often kept out of lesson plans. The 5 E’s method makes sure they are included which is highly beneficial in helping students learn the content and apply it to real life contexts.
To implement this lesson a couple of practical items would need to be addressed. The main issue would be the lack of time available in a single class period. To really catch every part of the 5 E’s lesson, this lesson may need to be cut into two days or be done in a block schedule school. Another practical item is close supervision of the students to make sure they are on task and not using the marbles in an inappropriate matter or making a mess with the flour and cocoa powder.
Charity,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you that there doesn't seem to be enough time to include all of the 5 E's in a single lesson. I use the model when I work on designing units. Most of the one day lessons use more than one "E", but more time needs to be dedicated to a lesson that uses all of them.
Ann
Hi Charity, I just wanted to offer a possible suggestion because I can understand the struggle of creating a lesson and you are not in the class. You could check out your districts website and there should be a curriculum guide or map that the teachers follow. This might give you insight in what is expected to be taught by teachers within a certain time frame. This would be helpful in the event that you have to teach the lesson you would be in line with what the teacher is already covering.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps.
Alana
Hi Charity, I think the lesson sounds 'Engaging' and keep the marbles, flour and cocoa but alter the groups using them. For example, 5 groups have supplies set out so they see they will be provided for but yet they're told they must wait until their time appointment with you to do theirs. I also hesitate and carefully plan when I bring messy projects into the middle school. What grade did you plan it for?
ReplyDeleteLaurie
p.s. i wrote you before but cannot find it and not sure why-deleted.
Charity,
ReplyDeleteTime availability is an issue for me too. The STEM lesson for the application that I created spans at least two weeks. Science, at times, takes a back seat to math and language arts literacy for standardized testing. The 5 E's kept me focused on my plan.
You peaked my curiosity! - How do you get the students to create the impact craters?