What do you observe in a science class? At first glance, you may observe hands-on activities, movement and excitement! You may see a table on which various materials are piled ready for the next experiment, or maybe an area of the class that houses a class pet perfect for observation, or maybe you see students gazing into microscopes and discovering new worlds not seen by the naked eye. Science classes provide students with engaging opportunities to learn, explore, and experiment.
Yet behind the scenes of every spectacular science adventure that occurs in the classroom is one very important tool- the lesson plan. The lesson plan is the teacher's blueprint for the activities and concepts being taught. Teachers design their lessons based on specific action plans. The lesson plan provides educators with a basic outline on which they can record the necessary skills students need to complete the lesson, the lesson objectives, the procedures, the materials needed, and the assessment tools being used. All of these components need to be carefully considered and prepared in order for a science class to be successful.
When planning for elementary science, it is also important that teachers note any safety procedures that the class should be aware of on their lesson plans. Teachers should not assume that their students know how to correctly handle the various materials being used. Students need explicit instruction as to any safety precautions that need to be taken when working with various instruments or materials, such as microscopes, flashlights, tongs, etc. Teachers should also inform students of any sanitary procedures, such as washing of hands when handling certain materials and objects.
Another important factor of the science lesson plan is for teachers to list the materials and resources being used. It is wise to include the locations where the resources are found which can be very helpful when the lesson is replicated at a future time. Teachers should also make sure that their students are actively using the materials throughout the lesson. A successful science lesson is not based on merely reading about concepts, but actively using the senses to explore and experience concepts.
Overall, a well planned lesson is vital to an engaging and meaningful science class. So the next time you observe a science class, full of action and curiosity, think about the time and effort that teachers have poured into carefully developed lesson plans. These lesson plans are the map of the day's science explorations and the tool used to plot the next science adventures.
Mia! Love your introduction to this post. As a student growing up, we never really see how much work goes into teaching, theres a lot that goes on behind the scenes, and a major one is lesson planning! Science is a lot different from other subject areas just like you mentioned. Safety is extremely important to teach students and plan for, as well as listing and making sure students are using materials properly. There is definetly more behind teaching then the "naked eye" can see!
ReplyDeleteHey Mia, Safety is our main concern has been a motto in my house for a few years now. It is always so important for students to be aware of the potential hazards that abound in a science classroom. You made a good point about having the students wash their hands after handling certain materials, kids never want to wash their hands. I'm sure their parents don't want them bringing any science "materials" home.
ReplyDeleteMia,
ReplyDeleteI like how you mention that lesson plans also serve the purpose of mapping out the next science adventure. This ties in with assessment. When we assess our own lesson plans in conjunction with what happened in the previous class, we will be able to decide where to go next. If the lesson went as planned and our students met the learning objectives, then we can go on as planned. If the students did not meet our objectives then we have to think of a new solution. If teachers assess their own lesson plans, then they are a map to the next science exploration!
Mia,
ReplyDeleteWonderful introduction to the concept of teaching science. I like how you stress the idea of a lesson plan being a blueprint for the teacher or a road-map that a teacher can follow. Safety too is so important to convey to children because their excitement for the activities tends to lead them to throw caution to the wind. They also do not know how to deal with the materials properly for the most part or know the sanitation rules that need to follow touching and handling certain materials and objects.
Maria, I like how you refer to a lesson plan as a tool! at our stage in the master's program i think we tend to feel overwhelmed having to create lesson plans -to fit specific formats, or to fit a specific professors requirements... But it's helpful to take a step back and think of it as a helpful tool, for our convenience. And I like your analogy to the blueprint!
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