Teaching...Day 2!

     Do you enjoy solving mysteries? Well, today our second grade students became detectives and helped us solve the missing cases of Annie Acorn and Eddy Egg. Building off of last week’s focus on observation skills, this week the students were introduced to an important tool in any mystery case, the hand lens. Using the hand lens, students carefully recorded their observations of acorns and water beads (used to represent frog eggs). In addition to the hand lens, another key objective of this week’s lesson was to teach students about the life cycle of the oak tree and frog. Because the missing cases of Annie Acorn and Eddy Egg were based on their life cycles, we did not introduce the concept of the life cycle in the opening of the lesson. Instead, we chose to engage the students in their work as detectives revealing four consecutive clues culminating in the complete life cycles.

     This lesson required the use of many materials. At different points throughout the lesson students used hand lenses to observe acorns, ‘eggs’, and a series of clues revealing both life cycles. Students also completed observation worksheets to practice their detective skills as well as two booklets to record their observations of the oak tree life cycle and the frog life cycle. Once again, co-teaching this lesson proved to be very helpful regarding materials management. While Katie led a class discussion or told the students the directions for an activity, I passed out the necessary materials and vice versa. It was also helpful to have a small corner table in the classroom where we could set out the plates of acorns and bowls of ‘eggs,’ which were readily available to collect and distribute amongst the students. Because there were two of us to handle distributing and collecting materials, I do not believe any instructional time was lost. However, if only one teacher taught this lesson I feel that a different system regarding materials management may be needed. Perhaps materials would be spread out on the corner table and specific students from each group would be designated to collect and return materials.

     This lesson combined a second grade life science biology framework about the life cycles of plants and animals as well as the inquiry skill of using a hand lens to collect data. Although our lesson opening focused more on the use of the hand lens because we did not want to give away the concept of the life cycle, the life cycle of both the oak tree and the frog was imbedded into the two activities the students completed as they helped us solve our missing cases. These two activities both concluded with a complete description of the life cycles. Using their great detective skills, the students helped us solve the mysteries of Annie Acorn and Eddy Egg who were not missing at all! Students revealed that Annie Acorn and Eddy Egg had actually experienced the changes of their life cycles and had become an oak tree and a frog!

     Overall, I really enjoyed teaching this lesson with Katie! Although it took us a lot of time to work out the details, I feel that the final version of this lesson kept students engaged and provided them with many opportunities to use the hand lens and experience the life cycles of the tree and frog. Next week we will continue our adventures in science as we ask our students to help us observe the life cycle of a mystery insect!

    

     

Teaching...Day One!

     Today was the first science lesson that my co-teacher Katie and I taught for a second grade class at a local elementary school! We presented the concept of making scientific observations using your senses. In spite of some initial nerves, we had a great experience and were excited to see the students so engaged and enthused to become scientific observers.

     Having a step-by-step lesson plan definitely helped us to present the lesson smoothly and effectively. I also recognize the importance of beginning and ending the lesson with some key questions that capture the essence of the material being presented. I feel that the ‘launch, explore, summary’ method of instruction that I have observed in some math classes, also works very well in a science class. Using this method, students are given the opportunity for both whole group and small group instruction. Objectives are introduced and repeated throughout the lesson and students are encouraged to explore the science topic being taught.

     This particular lesson also involved a few safety precautions to discuss and practice with the class. Students learned how to use the wafting method when using their sense of smell. They practiced handling objects in a mystery bag carefully when using their senses of touch, hearing, and seeing. We also discussed the idea that it is not safe to use our sense of taste during science because of the presence of germs or harmful chemicals that objects may contain. Katie’s idea to include glitter in the mystery bags to help students visualize the presence of germs really helped to capture this point! Overall, the students followed our directions well and carried out the activities safely.

     Another aspect of this experience that I believed benefitted the class was the fact that the lesson was co-taught. Having the presence of two teachers allows for more individualized student attention. Cooperation and teamwork are also modeled for the students. I personally enjoyed co-teaching this lesson and I felt that Katie and I worked well at balancing classroom management and delivering the lesson. Even during our lesson planning, I could see the benefits of being able to co-teach as Katie presented ideas that I wouldn’t have thought of on my own.

     Overall, I feel that this first lesson was a positive experience for teachers and students alike! I also appreciate the feedback we received from experienced teachers, which we will work at implementing during our next lesson. It is always helpful to have an extra pair of eyes and ears to make observations that we may be completely unaware of and to offer advice that will help shape us to become effective teachers.        

Time to Teach!

My first pre-service teaching experience is just around the corner! Although I have taught in the past, it is always a mixture of excitement and nerves when meeting a new group of children and teaching your first lesson to them. In just two weeks, I will co-teach a unit on the life cycle of butterflies to a second grade class in a local elementary school. I am excited to invest in these students and share some spectacular life science with them!

The science unit that will be taught reinforces the process skill of observation as students will track the life cycle of the Vanessa cardui, also known as the Painted Lady butterfly. I am excited to put into practice the lesson plan that my co-teacher and I are in the process of developing. It will be a great learning experience for me as I use this lesson plan as a guide while teaching and as I practice the art of co-teaching. I also look forward to making connections with the students and indulging their curiosity for the interesting lifecycle of the butterfly. Although you might think I would be nervous about being observed, I actually anticipate the constructive feedback from my instructors and appreciate the opportunity to receive any helpful tips regarding my teaching style.

So what am I nervous about? Well, probably most of the things that I am excited about! First of all, I hope that the time allotted for each part of the lesson will work out smoothly given the time period we have to teach the children. I also hope that I will use language that is easily understood by a second grader. This reminds me that I always need to keep my audience in mind when teaching. Co-teaching is also a new concept for me. I look forward to working with another adult and I am reminded of the importance of developing a script so that the lesson flows smoothly as we team- teach. Finally, I feel that making positive connections with the students is key to creating a successful learning environment. Each of these areas roll into a ball of nervous excitement! Yet overall, I am simply looking forward to taking on the role as teacher and receiving the opportunity to invest in students, grow in the art of teaching, and benefit from the advice of those more experienced in this field.

Let the teaching begin!