Constructivist Teaching: Then and Now - Essay Example

VITAL INFORMATION Primary: Science Topic or Unit of Study Characteristics of organisms- Grasshopper *Grade/Level 4th *Summary Grasshoppers have six legs, two pairs of wings fore wings and hind wings, have antennas, they can hop, walk and fly, they feed on green leafy plants STANDARDS AND DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION:*Standards NCES, Life Science Standards levels k-4. Characteristics of organismsDifferentiatedInstructionThe lesson plan uses a variety of differentiated instruction strategies to enhance the observation skills, interaction skills and communication skills.

The observation lesson gives students an opportunity to incorporate different modes of learning such as tactile, visual and audio. This lesson plan breaks the monotony of the classroom instruction by incorporating outdoor activity where children are to observe the organism in their environment. It also allows students to learn both individually and in groups. This project will allow the impaired students to use their own senses. Their senses become highly developed, and they work on the ones they have shown deficiencies in.

The lesson plan will also appeal to those with ADHD because of its stimulating and interactive nature. EEI (ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF INSTRUCTION) - LESSON PLAN ELEMENTS REQUIRED:Objective Primary: For students to understand the characteristics of organisms in their environment by observing and learning the physical characteristics of the grasshopper. Anticipatory Set Explain to students what the process for observation and learning will be for the characteristics of organism lesson plan. Lesson will commence with a discussion of what the students already know about the grasshopper.

This gets followed by individual observation and group discussion of characteristics observed. The lesson will sum up through questions that will test the understanding of the students and make clarifications. Introduction Introduce the lesson through an interactive session between the students and teacher. Students get a chance to share with the teacher what they already know about insects in general and grasshopper in specific.(Interaction stage)Field Observation Through field observation process, students determine various characteristics of a grasshopper and other features of interest.

These include; the color, the eyes, the antennas and the wings. (observation Stage) Independent PracticeStudents will answer various questions assigned by the teacher to be answered during the field observation. For example, how many legs does a grasshopper have, how many eyes, how many wings, how many antennas, what is the color of the grasshopper. This gets done individually to ensure independent learning takes place. Students write and draw their observations (Learning Stage)Group discussionIn small groups, the students will pool the knowledge gathered from the observation to determine what the characteristics of a grasshopper are.

(Interaction Stage) At this stage change occurs and misconceptions get clarified by the group members.Evaluation*Assessment/RubricsAuthentic assessment will be in the form of question and answer where the teacher will clarify misconceptions of the students. Formative assessment gets done during the learning process as the teacher provides information to be uses as feedback. A Summative Assessment gets used at the conclusion of the organisms study for a final grade. (Evaluate Stage)MATERIALS AND RESOURCESInstructional Materials (handouts, etc.) Photographs, charts, realia (grasshopper), study guide, JournalsResources