LESSON PLANNING TEMPLATE

general goals of LESSON long term: Understand number values. Learn about different animal species. Learn about different states of America. short term: Compare number values. Overview about alligators characters. Overview about Florida. specific goals of lesson long term: Learn skills to compare number values: greater, less, and equal. Understand each comparing symbols meaning. short term: Discuss alligators characters. Review what is taught yesterday about number values. Practice addition and subtraction skills 1. title of Research Lesson: Are You Ready to Cross Alligator Alley?

Name: Rex Yuxiang Zhu Grade level: First Grade Observation: 1 2 3 4

2. standards addressed: Goal 6: Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and sense of numbers, including numeration and operations. 6.D.ECb: Describe the comparison with appropriate vocabulary, such as more, less, greater than, fewer, equal to or same as. 3. background of the LESSON: Florida Theme/ Everglades. Knowledge of Comparing Number Values.

5. lesson procedures time activities

(Divide this into sections. Sections might include: Set-up, Introduction, Teacher-guided instruction, Individual Practice, Group Work, Sharing Ideas, Summary, etc.)

page _________ dialogue

(Teachers Questions; Anticipated Student Responses)

environment
(Materials, Strategies, Adaptations)

comments

9:30-9:35

Introduction: Discuss alligators.

Today we are going to talk about alligators! Do you know anything about alligators? What are they like? Where do they live? What do they eat? Etc.

The class sitting on rug in front of the teacher.

Possible responses: Like Crocodile Live in Florida/Everglades They might eat human
Do you know about Everglades? 9:35-9:36

Introduce the children book.

9:369:46

To learn more about the alligators, lets read a book about it! Show class the book.

Baby Alligator

By Ginjer L. Clarke, Illustrated by Neecy Twinem

Children Book Sharing: Read aloud.

It is morning on a lake in Florida. What do we know about Florida?

Possible Responses: Beach Relatives live there Everglades

As many as forty babies are born at one time! That is a huge number of babies!

Possible Responses: Own experience, when my mother had me

She carries them in her mouth. Just like a taxi! Do Alligators eat people? It depends. Most people are too big for alligators to eat.

Possible Responses: Yes, they eat human!

End at Pickup Truck page, turn to the map page. Alligators live only in southern US and China!

Possible Responses: You are from China

9:46-9:47 The Alligator Alley: Introduction. 9:47-9:52 Remember what we did yesterday with the alligators mouth? Today we are going to use that knowledge to cross the Alligator Alley! Lets do the first three together in big group: 132__213? 20+30__20+20? 11-4__14-8? The Alligator Alley Work Sheet for every students. White board and markers (preferably green).

Tutorial.

9:52-10:00

Possible Response: The last one might be tricky since each answer for the subtraction is not that obvious, ask student to show their work.

Individual Work Time.

I will hand you your map and lets start our adventure with markers! There are tricky ones! Always ask for help when you are trying to cross the alligator alley!

Students can sit at different tables as long as it is not too crowded.

 What would happen if the alligator doesnt have the bigger number? Check around and help anyone in need.

6.

(How will you know whether or not you have achieved your short-term specific goals? What did the childrens responses to this lesson tell you about whether your goals were met?)

evaluation:

I planned to use the Florida theme as a kick start to gather students attention. I asked what they learned about the Everglades and Allig ators. After getting some response I transitioned to read a book about baby alligators to teach them some interesting scientific facts as well as keep them excited. Eventually, I sent them worksheet called Are You Ready to Cross Alligator Alley? and let them practice comparing number values. I think students were enthusiastic when I was handing them the worksheet, and the grade they got on the worksheet later was also impressive. I consider my short-term specific goals were met in this lesson.

7. post-lesson reflection:
What would you change about this lesson and why would those changes improve it?

I would improve the tutorial part of the Alligator Alley game. I spend too much time reaching for markers and writing on the board. Although my student were still paying attention to my tutorial when I was working on those, which was fortunate, I still think I should be able to hold the board in my hand and write quicker on it next time. Also, I should not simply ask students to think again when they have the wrong answer. I should use this mistake as a good example to show the work of calculation and help everyone to avoid that next time.

How did your organization and materials affect the success of the lesson?

I really appreciate Mrs. Kirbys help when I was struggling with choosing the appropriate materials to use in class. She showed me the great Alligator Alley game and this was a crucial part to keep my students engaged. I think it was an interesting game and leaves plenty room of imagination for students. Letting students use markers instead of pencil can also raise their engagement to the game and be more creative even if it is just a math worksheet.

What were some challenges with this lesson? What surprised you?

I failed to make connection on the Alligator lives only in Florida and China fact. I thought it would be an interesting fact to bring up but one of my students said it before I did, and there was no point of discussing it again. Actually my biggest concern was that I was not challenged enough. My class was well-behaved, willing to participate, and quiet throughout the class Jenn also mentioned that I wont get the same good -mannered audience all the time.

additional comments?

Since I have done the Math this time, I guess I would do more reading and focus on group discussion next time. I really want my students to challenge my thoughts rather than following my lead all the time.