Lesson Plan I: Observations in Science Journals Writing: Observations in Science Journals Date/Time to be Implemented: Wednesday 4/2, 11:50 12:30

0 Students: Kindergarten at Lea School Anticipated Time: 40-45 minutes

Avery Finch

Goals and Objectives Students will be able to: observe and record information about hermit crabs in a clear and detailed way in order to learn more about a living thing. discuss and explain what it means to observe carefully, including looking closely; using our senses; noticing details; drawing what we see; and describing what we see. Standards PA Standards in Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening 1.5.K.D: Write using illustrations and descriptive words. 1.8.K.A: Ask appropriate questions on a variety of topics. PA Standards in Environment and Ecology 4.1.K.F: Ask questions about objects, organisms and events. Use simple equipment (tools and other technologies) to gather data and understand that this allows scientists to collect more information than relying only on their senses to gather information. Science and Engineering Practices (A Framework for K-12 Science Education) 1. Asking questions 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information Materials and Preparation ongoing class-generated hermit crab KWL chart class-generated What Scientists Do chart class-generated Hermit Crab Care chart pencils and crayons at each table five class hermit crabs in individual containers, one for each table magnifying glasses (if not 21, then 5 or 10, so each table has one or two) Science Journals with Observations page one loose observation page and a marker for modeling portable white board and magnet Classroom Arrangement and Management Arrangement: Students will sit on their rug squares facing the portable white board while I model writing. They will then go to their tables for writing. Management: Students write in their journals every day, so they are familiar with this format of journal modeling and then working independently. The new variable is of course the hermit crabs on the tables, which will probably cause excitement. I will remind students that they must use yellow light voices (whispering) because hermit crabs dont like loud noise. I will also remind them that today we are just observing with our eyes, and that touching the crabs

Lesson Plan I: Observations in Science Journals

Avery Finch

might hurt them. I will also be explicit about expectations for taking turns observing. I will circulate throughout the room and conference with students who are finished. Students who are unable to work responsibly and productively with a hermit crab on their table will have to move to another spot in the room to finish writing. Students who do not finish during the period will have to finish during Centers. Plan Launch Introduction: Reviewing KWL Chart and Science Methods (7 min.) Remind students of norms and expectations: raising hands to speak; being respectful of the space, materials, and each other; listening carefully to instructions. Review What Scientists Do chart. Ask students for a definition of observe. Briefly discuss what observation entails, including: looking closely; using our senses; noticing details; drawing what we see; describing what we see. Tell students that we will begin observing hermit crabs today. Review Hermit Crab Care chart, emphasizing respect for the animals and the rules. Explain that today we can use our eyes (and ears and noses) to observe, but we will not be touching the crabs or their containers, because we might hurt the animals. Review rules about taking turns and using magnifying glasses. Modeling Observation Page (8 min.) Write date, then read headings aloud. Model using magnifying glass to look closely at hermit crab. Elicit from students what makes a good picture, drawing on experience illustrating in regular Journals: lots of details and color. Think aloud while drawing. I can see its two little black eyes, so Ill be sure to draw those here. I like how its shell curves up, and I want to show that in my picture too. Elicit from students what makes a good observation, drawing on experience writing in regular Journals: lots of details, at least two juicy sentences (not wimpy), capital letters and end marks. Explain that students can write about what the crab looks like or even what its doing. Model writing: My crab has ten legs. It is crawling over a rock. Point out that once students write what they observe, they may also write questions or make predictions. How fast can my crab move? I predict it can run quickly. Work and Explore Observing and Writing (20 min.) Dismiss students by table to get their Science Journals and go to their seats. When they are sitting quietly with their journals open and the date written at the top of the page, place one hermit crab container on each table. Remind students that if they cannot respect the crabs they will have to work at another table. Students observe hermit crabs and illustrate and write about their observations. Circulate through the room to ask and answer questions and conference with students. Share and Wrap-Up (10 min.) Call students to attention, then remove the hermit crabs from the tables. Students clean up their desks and wait with their heads down to show they are ready. Call on several students to share an observation they made in their Journals. Dismiss students who are ready to put their Science Journals in their cubbies.

Lesson Plan I: Observations in Science Journals Assessment of Goals and Objectives Formal Assessment: Observations in Science Journals Did students: draw a relevant, detailed picture that depicts reality? write at least two sentences about what they observed? use descriptive words? attempt to learn from/answer questions with their observations? use multiple senses to gather information? Informal Assessment: Teacher Observation Did students: respect the materials, the animals, and each other? ask questions about what they were observing?

Avery Finch

Accommodations For students who find the work too challenging: Students are accustomed to writing in their journals, but many become stressed over spelling things correctly. I will remind all students, but these students in particular, to use their sounds and do their best when writing. For students who find the work easy/finish early: Students will be encouraged to add more detail to their illustrations and writing, for example by adding sensory details or questions and predictions.