Belmont Lesson Plan Template

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Building together for excellence in education
Lesson Planning Document
1.
General Information
Teacher: Shannon Cain
Students: 30
Mentor: Mr. Cargile
Number: 1
Date: 3/4/15
Sequence: 1

Subject: Science

Number of

Grade: 8th grade

Lesson

Time Allowed: 50 min

Lesson in
Unit Title:

Life Science
2.
Topic- Classification
3.
Science

Subjects Integrated- 8th grade science, Biology, Ecology, Life

4.

Readiness and Background Knowledge

This is a completely new unit for the students. They learned about the
classification system in the 6th grade, and I will use questioning throughout my
lesson as well as an introductory activity to activate their background
knowledge and assess where they are.
5.

Goals

SPI 0807.5.1 Use a simple classification key to identify an unknown organism.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.4 I can list the levels of classification in order from
most general to most specific (domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family,
genus, species).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.4 I can classify organisms based on appropriate
characteristics (e.g. types of symmetry, way it obtains energy, presence of
certain body systems, method of reproduction, etc.).

6.
Objectives
Student learning objectives:
By the end of this lesson, the learners will be able to list the levels of
classification in order from most general to most specific.
By the end of this lesson, the learners will be able to use a dichotomous key to
classify organisms.
Teacher learning objectives
I will work on lesson pacing, wait time, and implementing an appropriate
literacy strategy into my lesson.
Assessment
-I will assess the students informally through questioning throughout the
lesson.
-We will also assess their dichotomous key answers at the beginning of class
the next day. (This is a practice dichotomous key. The students will work
through a leaf dichotomous key next week, and this will count for a grade).
-The students also have homework in the textbook that we will assess for a
homework grade at the beginning of class the next day.
7.

Resources and Materials

-Textbook
-SmartBoard/projector
-PowerPoint- will be accessible to diverse learners
-Shark pictures and shark dichotomous key
-Knowledge chart
8.

Instructional Model, Procedures, and Strategies

-Copy homework page- 2 minutes

-Knowledge Chart- 5 minutes (literacy strategy)
-PowerPoint presentation/discussion about classification and dichotomous keys20 minutes
-Shark dichotomous key activity- 15 minutes
-Homework time- 5 minutes
a.)

Attention Signal

The students enter the classroom and start copying down their
homework page from the projector. They are great about starting class on time.
b.)

Opening and Advanced Organizer

I will hook the students with a short video about whales and a short
introductory partner activity.
c.)

Behavioral Expectations
We expect the students to treat the teachers and each other with
respect. Only once person will speak at a time during the discussion, unless the
class is notified to call out an answer collectively. If the students have a
question, they will raise their hands.
-The students will be active listeners and participate in our discussion.
-The students will complete the activity with their group members.

d.)
Instructional Steps (The type and number of steps depends on the
instructional model that you are using. Be sure to also identify the specific
instructional strategies [e.g., think aloud] that you will use, including Universal
Design strategies for diverse learners that address recognition, strategy, and
affective networks. Consider the grouping strategies that you will use.)
e.)

Lesson Closure

f.)
Feedback and Evaluation (How will you evaluate if students met
the objectives for this lesson? Be sure that you evaluation is directly aligned
with your objectives and lesson.)
9.
Modifications (These are the add on strategies that couldnt be
addresses with the Universal Design strategies. Consider what you might need
to do for early finishers, gifted students, slow learners, learning difficulties
ESL, etc.)